Racecards
14:55 Clonmel (IRE)
Munster Hurdle
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft to Heavy, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €10,000 added
- Winner: €6,900
- 2nd: €1,600
- 3rd: €700
- 4th: €400
Anonis (GER)
25- Form 3/11F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer Ms M Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
led, blundered 7th and headed, soon lost place and pulled up before 4 out
- Form 951333
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer M Hourigan
- Jockey A P Heskin
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 5 out and pushed along approaching straight, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
- Form 2-434F6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leaders in 5th, 3rd 5 out and 2nd when hit 2 out, soon ridden and kept on best run-in to lead final 50 yards
- Form 1/1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey D N Russell
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 7th until strongly pressed and headed entering straight, mistake 2 out and soon no extra, eased when beaten run-in
- Form 011428
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer M Hourigan
- Jockey P Townend
towards rear,7th halfway, pushed along in 6th approaching straight, went 4th before last and kept on one pace
- Form 1126
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer W J Austin
- Jockey B F Cawley
towards rear, 6th halfway, 5th 3 out but ridden early straight and no extra from next
- Form 9-2321
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
settled in 4th, headway to go 2nd before 5 out and led entering straight, asserted before last where mistake and soon ridden, no extra and headed final 50 yards
Verdict
The mare UNIKA LA RECONCE was having her first start for Willie Mullins when making all in a Thurles maiden in December where she had subsequent winner Speckled Wood 12 lengths behind in second. This is much tougher but she will have come on for the run and her allowance is a major bonus. She's handed the vote though Dushybeag looks a big threat. Mick Hourigan's charge won a maiden over the track and trip in November and has been performing in much better class recently including when third to Inish Island in a Grade 3 here two weeks ago. Winning point-to-pointer Rye Martini looks a nice prospect for Colm Murphy and will have benefited from his opening victory under Rules at Tipperary in October while the very useful chaser Rathlin was certainly no slouch over timber at his best. Anonis could be the fly in the ointment here as the Listed bumper winner was still in touch and travelling well enough when falling in the Grade 2 won by Cheltenham hope Pont Alexandre at Leopardstown.
Formwatch
Anonis (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, fell 3 out, in a race won by Pont Alexandre (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan, 8 ran.
Dushybeag (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 4th/5th, ridden and dropped to 6th 3 out, moderate 4th entering straight, went moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Inish Island (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy.
Rathlin 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 9th and dropped to rear before 4 out, no extra, 6th of 8, 41l behind Quito De La Roque (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Rye Martini (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Always prominent and travelled well throughout, led before straight, ridden to assert and stayed on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Oct beating Reafadda (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Whats Happening (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Waited with, 8th after 4 out, kept on same pace from before next, 8th of 9, 22l behind Our Vinnie (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.
Blacklough (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, 7th halfway, 6th after 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Jezki (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Unika La Reconce (FR) 8-11fav (10-13) Made all, ridden to assert approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating Speckled Wood (10-13) by 12l, 18 ran.