15:15 Punchestown

Wednesday 20 February 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:55

Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 0.6s

Settings

Selected odds by:

A Toi Phil^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| C

25/1

Runs off a lenient mark in comparison to his chase rating but form this season (over fences) hasn't been up to his usual standard. Joint top weight to shoulder and looks the stable's second string.

Form: 3-637P5

Tin Soldier^t1⁴⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: P G Kelly| OR: 144| BF| D

14/1

Has a gutsy attitude and managed a couple of wins during his time with Willie Mullins. Hasn't been seen out since falling when still in contention at Gowran Park in November 2017; fitness taken on trust but best watched on debut for a new yard.

Form: 41183/F-

Cap York⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S W Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 132

13/2

One of five set to race in the Gigginstown colours and certainly looks open to a bit more improvement then a few of the others too. Solid claims back in a handicap and well worth considering.

Form: 26/14

Choungaya^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 132

4/1

Plenty of ability and wasn't beaten too far in Grade 3 Novice hurdle last time. The step up in trip is a concern though.

Form: 313356

Oscar Knight¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: M P Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 130| C

9/1

Lightly raced since winning at Naas in November 2017 but holds no secrets from his current mark. Has been placed over 3m before now but may find his younger rivals have a bit more to offer at this stage of his career.

Form: 2B3-8P6

Moratorium¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 129

7/1

Adapted well to hurdles and has won his last two starts (both over 2m4f) with a bit in hand. Open to further progress now he tries three miles for the first time and has to merit serious consideration.

Form: 2-14311

Dorans River^t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: R C Colgan| T: S J Mahon| OR: 128| D

50/1

A winner over 3m, at Bellewestown in the summer but has lost his way since then and his recent completion rate is off-putting. Has good deal to prove at the present time.

Form: 14FUPP

Three Wise Men¹⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: D E Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 126

25/1

Been well held in his starts over fences over the last calendar year and looks one to have reservations about now he's back over timber; especially as he's unproven over the distance.

Form: P30-5F3

Its All Guesswork^t¹²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: M A Enright| T: G Elliott| OR: 124| D

10/1

Had been progressive over fences until he took a tumble last time out. safe to assume he's unscathed from that experience but he may be best watched on his return to hurdles and first outing since that fall last November.

Form: 4-3221F

Mormon⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 124

6/1

Insult, who runs earlier on the card, can give something of a solid indication to the worth of the gelding's win at Tramnore last month and, with the step up in trip likely to suit, this fellow is another who can be a big player here.

Form: 5/431

Drumconnor Lad^t,v1⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 123| D

25/1

Won a point-to-point but most of his best form under rules has been posted at around 2m4f; reverts to hurdles on a reasonable mark but needs to conclusively prove he has the stamina to get home over three miles.

Form: 3410P6

Plan Of Attack^p⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 122| D

13/2

Winner lat Limerick and then again last time out at Thurles (2m7f, good) but this looks a fair bit tougher and a 6lb higher mark leaves the gelding needing to take another big step forward. (Yard may have a brighter hope in the shape of Mormon.)

Form: 334611

Brosna George^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: P Townend| T: A L T Moore| OR: 121| D

10/1

Won three of his last four starts and arrives in the form of his life. The trip isn't an issue but worth bearing in mind he did tip-up over C&D in November. Decent place claims if he negotiates a clear round this time however.

Form: 521F11

Forecasts

Choungaya (4/1), Mormon (6/1), Cap York (13/2), Plan Of Attack (13/2), Moratorium (7/1), Oscar Knight (9/1), Its All Guesswork (10/1), Brosna George (10/1), Tin Soldier (14/1), A Toi Phil (25/1), Drumconnor Lad (25/1), Three Wise Men (25/1), Dorans River (50/1)

A tough one to call but MORMON has bags of potential and could possible be the brightest hope from the Gigginstown Stud's quintet of intended runners. The selection is open to plenty of improvement and has shaped as if 3m should be within his compass. Moratorium can also figure strongly if he adapts to racing over this distance and has to merit consideration for a place at least., while Brosna George is in the form of his life and is a potential threat. Oscar Knight is a consistent yardstick and would be dangerous to underestimate, while Cap York is open to further progress and he completes the shortlist.