14:15 Punchestown

Tuesday 31 December 2019

All12:0512:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:25

Happy New Year From Tote Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 6.4s

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Selected odds by:

Blast Of Koeman^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Phillip Enright| T: R Tyner| OR: 128| CD

16/1

Has not won since scoring over fences at Fairyhouse (2m) in November 2017. Was seventh of nine on his last appearance in a 2m½f chase at Cork. Is back over hurdles where he is rated 3lb lower. Others are preferred.

Form: 5D-F407

Thosedaysaregone¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: K J Brouder⁽³⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 126| BF| D

20/1

Prevailed over fences at Limerick (2m1½f) back in March. His last two outings have come on the Flat where he has been well held. Needs to improve off this mark over hurdles. Others make a greater appeal.

Form: 914518-

Jimmy Two Times⁶⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr D G Lavery⁽³⁾| T: B R Hamilton| OR: 123| D

33/1

Justified going off as the odds-on favourite to score over fences at Downpatrick (2m3f) two starts back. This will be his first run since being pulled up in a handicap chase at Gowran Park (2m2f) in March 2018. Best to watch on his return.

Form: 35201P/

Oscar Knight^b²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: M P Walsh| T: T Mullins| OR: 123| CD

11/1

A C&D winner who has not scored since coming out on top at Navan (2m4f) in November 2017. Was seventh of 16 on his latest outing at Navan (3m½f). Has been eased 3lb by the handicapper. Worth consideration off this mark.

Form: 0637F7

Polished Steel^p1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 121| C

16/1

Was successful for the second time over fences when he won at this course (2m) back in May. Came home a long way behind on his latest attempt at Fairyhouse (2m) when he was 11th of 15. Will wear cheekpieces for the first time. Others appeal more.

Form: 40-1600

Mister Eddman^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: O McKiernan| OR: 118

6/1

Scored on his debut under Rules at Downpatrick (2m3f) but has failed to follow that up in five runs since. Finished 12th of 15 last time over this C&D. Has gone down 1lb in the weights. Needs to improve.

Form: 1-60660

Morga³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: D McDonogh| OR: 116| C

20/1

Is on a long losing stretch which goes back to August 2016. Has featured over both codes this year where her form has been largely disappointing. She was seventh of 15 on her latest run at Fairyhouse (2m). Not to be ignored off this mark.

Form: 58-5847

Avellino^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 115

12/1

Her sole success over hurdles came at Ballinrobe (2m1f) in May 2018. She did not fare too badly last time out though as she was fourth of 13 at Fairyhouse (2m4f). Remains off the same mark. Has each-way claims.

Form: 32/168-4

R'evelyn Pleasure²⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: S O O'Brien| OR: 114| D

14/1

His last success was over fences back in January at Fairyhouse (2m4f). Was in touch when he fell four fences from home last time at this course (2m5f). Return to hurdles may be what he needs. One for the shortlist.

Form: 143P3-F

Brawler³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: K C Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 115| D

9/4

Broke his maiden over hurdles on his last appearance at Fairyhouse (2m4f), scoring by 4½L in a comfortable success. The handicapper has raised him 8lb for that victory. Leading contender to follow up.

Form: 2-54971

Burlesque Queen²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E Doyle| OR: 108| D

5/2

Has been in great form recently with two wins from her last four starts. She was second of 15 runners last time over this C&D, just ½L off the winner. Has gone up 5lb for that near miss. One to think about.

Form: 971212

Non-Runners

Nobody Home³¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: E Cawley J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

Brawler (9/4), Burlesque Queen (5/2), Mister Eddman (6/1), Oscar Knight (11/1), Avellino (12/1), R'evelyn Pleasure (14/1), Blast Of Koeman (16/1), Polished Steel (16/1), Nobody Home (16/1), Thosedaysaregone (20/1), Morga (20/1), Jimmy Two Times (33/1)

BRAWLER won nicely at Fairyhouse last time to score for the first time over hurdles and he can defy his 8lb rise in the weights to follow that up as there could be much more to come from the gelding at this distance. Burlesque Queen continues to improve over hurdles as she showed when she was second over this C&D last time. The progressive mare may have to settle for the runner up spot once again, while R'evelyn Pleasure has struggled over fences recently but can be in the mix on his return to hurdles here.