16:00 Punchestown

Tuesday 30 January 2018

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0016:30

Toals.com Bookmakers 250 In Free Bets Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 33.4s

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Selected odds by:

Sir Carno^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 106

11/4

Placed in a hurdle in France but underwhelming since joining this yard and beaten 27L in a 2m5f Tramore maiden hurdle latest. Had earlier only managed ninth on his handicap debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day but drops in grade now.

Form: 34-5794

Two In One^t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 103

10/1

Has shown some ability over hurdles and in bumpers but the maiden tag remains intact despite 11 attempts. Very disappointing when pulled up on his debut for this yard over a longer trip last time. Tongue tie reached for.

Form: 54-305P

Fluspar^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: D Howard| OR: 98

25/1

Does have a chase win at Tramore (heavy ground) on his CV but still winless from 20 attempts over hurdles. Beaten out of sight in a Limerick novice event last time and others look more persuasive.

Form: 46-7046

Shar Whats Therush^t⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Phillip Enright| T: D Hassett| OR: 96| D

3/1

Had only shown flashes of promise in five starts prior to opening his account in a 2m4f handicap at Fairyhouse (soft) last time out in November, a first-time tongue tie evidently sparking the improvement. Bold bid anticipated despite 9lb rise.

Form: 2099-01

Danse Away³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D E Splaine| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 90

7/1

Point-to-point winner who has toiled badly in recent hurdle races, having appeared to offer something to work on when not beaten far in a couple of bumpers. Marks still appears to be on the high side.

Form: 478950

Not Touch^b1,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: K C Sexton| T: M Hourigan| OR: 91

33/1

Now a 20-race maiden, eight of those being over hurdles having pulled up on his last attempt over timber in a Clonmel handicap in November. Raced with little zest when returning to the Flat recently.

Form: 4-0F70P

Rock On Barney^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: E T Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: G T Lynch| OR: 87

4/1

Far from convincing at times but put some dreadful efforts behind him when scoring for the only time in 23 starts in first-time cheekpieces at Clonmel (heavy) earlier this month. In the process of running well until unseating last time.

Form: 0PPP1U

Mlily²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hassett| OR: 87

6/1

No show in maiden hurdles but produced an improved performance when second of 10 beaten 2¼L at Tramore (2m5f, heavy) on her handicap debut earlier this month. Raised 3lb for that but could get competitive once again.

Form: 5802

Flemish Maid^p1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: A Ring⁽³⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 80

20/1

Has failed to hit the frame in 12 races over hurdles following a series of dour efforts, including when beaten almost 70L in a handicap at Clonmel last time out. Not hard to overlook.

Form: 78P0P5

Forecasts

Sir Carno (11/4), Shar Whats Therush (3/1), Rock On Barney (4/1), Mlily (6/1), Danse Away (7/1), Two In One (10/1), Flemish Maid (20/1), Fluspar (25/1), Not Touch (33/1)

Shar Whats Therush showed huge improvement in a first-time tongue-tie to win a seemingly stronger handicap at Fairyhouse last time out and will take some stopping if in the same mood despite a 9lb hike. Milly and Rock On Barney have also shown enough to merit consideration but there remains a suspicion that we've yet to see the best of the hitherto underwhelming SIR CARNO and this drop in grade may be enough to see him open his account.