14:50 Punchestown

Tuesday 31 December 2019

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

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-95)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 12.1s

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Selected odds by:

Rebel Waltz²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: E Walsh| T: T J Nagle-Jr| OR: 95

12/1

Remains a maiden after five starts on the track. Finished fifth of 24 last time at Cork (2m) after going off at 100/1. Making handicap debut here so keep an eye out for any strong market confidence behind the gelding.

Form: 88-085

Glenquin Castle²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam McKenna| T: M Brassil| OR: 93

16/1

Has shown very little in his three starts to date. He was a long way down the field on his latest outing at Navan (2m4f) when he was 15th of 25. Dropping down in trip on handicap debut. Will be interesting if there is money for him.

Form: 000

Pretty Little Liar^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P J McGrath⁽²⁾| T: D P Dunne| OR: 91| D

14/1

Broke her maiden over hurdles three starts back at Stratford (2m½f) in a 12 runner field where she prevailed by 2½L. Has been unable to follow it up since. Her latest run came on the Flat on the AW at Dundalk (1m4f). Big player.

Form: 76-4U10

Bread And Butter¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: C P McNamara| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 93

13/2

Has struggled in his three runs on the track so far. He was 14th of 23 last time at Navan (2m), finishing 63L off the winner. Things may get easier for him now he is handicapping. Market should reflect his chances of success.

Form: 000

Vinabell^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: E O'Connell| T: S Nolan| OR: 90

7/1

Her sole success came over hurdles at Fairyhouse (2m4f) in October 2018. She was ninth of 25 on her return to action at Naas (2m3f) earlier this month. Dropping down in distance. Others are preferred.

Form: 017P-49

Cedar Hill^t1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D J Hand| T: S Crawley| OR: 89

7/1

Has failed to be in the mix in his four starts to date, including on his handicap debut at Thurles (2m) on his latest outing as he was 12th of 17 runners. Will wear a tongue-tie for the first time. Needs to take a big stride forward.

Form: 0850

Johnny Sue³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr L P Gilligan| T: William P Murphy| OR: 89

8/1

A three-time winner in point-to-points but has yet to score in 10 starts under Rules. Ran well when he was fourth of 16 at Fairyhouse (2m) two runs ago. Latest effort at Thurles (2m6½f) was disappointing. One to consider over this trip.

Form: 6123-49

Barna Venture^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R J Condon| T: D Hogan| OR: 88| CD

12/1

Has scored twice over fences, however, he is 0-8 over hurdles. He had just one horse behind him in a 10 runner contest at Tramore (2m) last time out. Is rated much higher over fences. Worth consideration.

Form: 078639

Dubheen^p1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D P Holden| T: G J Power| OR: 86

20/1

Is yet to score in five attempts under Rules. Form has not improved since joining handicap company. He was eighth of 13 on his latest attempt at Clonmel (2m3f). Cheekpieces will be on for the first time. Others appeal more.

Form: 07078

Major Fawcett^t¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: S O'Callaghan⁽²⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 86

20/1

Still looking for his first win after 13 appearance under Rules on the track. Had just one horse behind him in a 10 runner field at Perth (2m) last time. Needs to improve to pick up his first success.

Form: 046079

Papal Present⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: M J Stenson⁽²⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 86

50/1

A point-to-point winner who has been unable to record his first win under Rules so far. He was disappointing on his handicap debut as he came back at the rear of 18 runners at Clonmel (2m½f). Hard to fancy.

Form: F0-0980

Arizona Flyer²¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Gary Brian Noonan⁽²⁾| T: M Winters| OR: 88

66/1

Has failed to be competitive in six starts on the track. Her last run was in handicap company at Tramore (2m) where she was pulled up when she was well beaten with two hurdles to go. Will need to take a big step forward.

Form: 0070-0P

Balaclava³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Brouder⁽²⁾| T: Ms M Kelly| OR: 83

25/1

0-17 so far on the track where there have been few signs of encouragement. He was brought down two days ago at Leopardstown (2m4½f). Making a quick reappearance. Others make more of an appeal.

Form: 000/0-B

Shes Gold⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: G P Brouder| T: T Mullins| OR: 85

40/1

Dual-purpose filly who has been unable to finish in the placings in her 19 runs to date. She was 21st of 22 on the Flat at the Curragh (1m) on her latest outing. Others leap off the page more in this race.

Form: 0070-PP

Hughies Bay^t²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: K Brogan⁽²⁾| T: D Howard| OR: 81

7/1

Still a maiden after 47 appearances across the two codes. Has gone close on a number of occasions over hurdles. He was seventh of 13 at Limerick (2m3f) one day ago. Not one to ignore off this mark.

Form: 3-67447

Knockanora Lady⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: O R Brown| T: S Curling| OR: 81| BF

5/1

Was third of 18 at Thurles (2m) on her penultimate outing in what was her best run so far. She failed to build upon it last time at Down Royal (2m1f) as she was pulled up as the 4/1 favourite. One to think about.

Form: 900-03P

Lady Of The Rea⁵⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: A J Flaherty⁽⁴⁾| T: B Cawley| OR: 81

66/1

Has been a long way down the field in her four starts under Rules. Her last outing was in May 2018 when she was last of nine runners at Market Rasen (2m4½f). Has switched yards since. Best to watch on her return to action.

Form: PF454/9-

De Bennette⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: T Ryan| T: J Grace| OR: 80

18/1

A point-to-point winner who is 0-12 under Rules. She finished third of 18 at Roscommon (2m) three runs back. Her last two efforts have been over fences where she has been disappointing. One for the shortlist on her return to hurdles.

Form: 78-0377

Kinnagoe Boy¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sarah Kavanagh⁽⁴⁾| T: John G Carr| OR: 80

40/1

Was not far away on his penultimate appearance when he was fifth of 12 at Bellewstown (2m4f). Could only come back eighth of 15 last time at Ballinrobe (2m6f). Others make a greater appeal here.

Form: 00P-P58

Elusive Intrusive²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Alison Jean Clarke⁽²⁾| T: L Lennon| OR: 80

66/1

Her form has failed to improve since joining handicap company. She finished at the rear of 10 runners on her latest effort at Tramore (2m) after starting at 100/1. Hard to make a case for on what she has shown to date.

Form: 889-000

Forecasts

Knockanora Lady (5/1), Bread And Butter (13/2), Cedar Hill (7/1), Hughies Bay (7/1), Vinabell (7/1), Johnny Sue (8/1), Rebel Waltz (12/1), Barna Venture (12/1), Pretty Little Liar (14/1), Glenquin Castle (16/1), De Bennette (18/1), Dubheen (20/1), Major Fawcett (20/1), Balaclava (25/1), Shes Gold (40/1), Kinnagoe Boy (40/1), Papal Present (50/1), Arizona Flyer (66/1), Elusive Intrusive (66/1), Lady Of The Rea (66/1)

PRETTY LITTLE LIAR was successful at Stratford earlier this year and she can have more success on her return to hurdles. She should be fit after her run on the Flat recently, while she is best suited to this distance. Knockanora Lady proved she can be competitive two starts back when she was third in a big runner field at Thurles so expect a strong challenge from the mare, while Johnny Sue should fare much better than his latest effort at Thurles over this shorter trip.