Racecards
15:25 Gowran Park (IRE)
Kilkenny Racing Festival Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €50,000 added
- Winner: €29,500
- 2nd: €9,500
- 3rd: €4,500
- 4th: €2,000
- Form 131858
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey D J McInerney
held up, moderate 11th before 8th, kept on same pace without threatening from 3 out
- Form 0/4-2111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, moderate 10th before 8th, closed to chase leaders in 5th into straight, no impression when mistake 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening, just failed for 3rd
- Form 210-422
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer Peter Fahey
- Jockey R Deegan
mid-division early, moderate 5th before 8th, chased leaders in 6th into straight, soon no impression, one pace
- Form PU051B-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 132
held up, last before 8th, no extra 11th, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 31-6351
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer J J Walsh
- Jockey A McCurtin
mid-division early, moderate 8th before 8th, mistake 3 out, chased leaders in 7th into straight, kept on same pace
- Form 868P52/
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
held up, moderate 12th before 8th, never a factor, tailed off
- Form 58-1411
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer L P Cusack
- Jockey D J Mullins
mid-division early, moderate 9th before 8th, pushed along next and soon not a factor, tailed off
- Form 5431P3
- Age 10
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J P Ryan
- Jockey D E Mullins
led, almost joined 5th and clear of remainder, joined approaching 3 out and came to field somewhat, went on alone from before straight, stayed on well from before last, eased close home
- Form 7-U1368
- Age 5
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B Hayes
held up, moderate 13th before 8th, slight mistake 10th and soon not a factor, tailed off
- Form 4-24171
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
mid-division early, moderate 7th before 8th, slight mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 11/3524-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Miss E Doyle
- Jockey S W Flanagan
soon raced in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, almost on terms 5th and clear of remainder, slight mistake 10th, on terms approaching 3 out but came back to field somewhat, not fluent and quickly headed, soon no impression, no extra when mistake last
- Form 742431-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey J W Kennedy
mid-division early, not fluent 2nd, moderate 6th before 8th, slight mistake 3 out, chased leaders in 4th into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, just held on for 3rd
- Form 242142
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer M J Bowe
- Jockey C A Landers
soon raced in moderate 3rd, chased winner into straight, edged right towards rail and one pace from before last
- Form 21514P
- Age 6
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss Ellmarie Holden
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
soon raced in moderate 4th, slight mistake 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Plenty of these arrive in top form and Willie Mullins complicates matters with three entries. Tay Lane was a disappointing favourite on testing ground at Ballinrobe but both Ben Button and BLIXT are at their best. The former completed a hat-trick in heavy going at Listowel where he won with a bit in hand so even an 8lb rise shouldn't prevent a big run but it's the latter who can take this. She had her recent Clonmel victory boosted by the success of runner-up Small World on Thursday and a 5lb rise looks manageable. Snugsborough Benny has won three of his last four over shorter though he's won between the flags so should have no problems staying the trip. Mine Now looks a threat as he's just failed to get up over slightly shorter trips in very tough handicaps at Galway and Killarney though Ballyegan Hero, who beat him narrowly in the first of those races, is also on the shortlist in a very competitive event.
Formwatch
Plinth (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leader, disputed from 3rd, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened and tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Lagostovegas (10-7) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
Ben Button (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, improved into 3rd before 5 out, closed 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Listowel 3m hcp hvy in Sep beating Seskinane (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mine Now (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 9th halfway, closed up behind leaders 3 out, ridden into 4th last, stayed on run-in into 2nd, not reach winner, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Lasoscar (10-2) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Rathpatrick (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Brought down 1st, at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Ballyegan Hero (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Chased leader, 5th after 7th, improved to 4th 3 out, almost on terms at last, ridden to lead run-in and edged left, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Galway 2m 7f hcp sft in Aug beating Mine Now (10-3) by ns, 20 ran.
Ned Stark (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led until 9th, chased leader, led again 13th, strongly pressed from 3 out, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Benvolio (11-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Snugsborough Benny (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up, soon in rear, improved to challenge from over 2f out, on terms approaching last, gained narrow lead and stayed on best run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Aug beating Rosie Alice (11-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Led, slight mistake 5th, joined approaching straight, headed after 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 10, 8 1/4l behind Highland Fling (10-11) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Sep.
Tay Lane (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Soon 2nd, raced on outer and pulled hard for much, disputed lead 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened quickly from 2 out, last of 8, dist behind Nellie Pledge (10-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Blixt (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, 9th at 8th, closed from before 4 out, led run-in, stayed on well, just held on, won at Clonmel 3m hcp gd in Sep beating Small World (11-0) by ns, 13 ran.
Without Limites (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Close up and disputed, led after 4th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Sizinguptheamazon (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn sft in Apr.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th 4 out, ridden in 4th before last, 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in, improved to lead near line, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr beating Blast Of Koeman (11-3) by hd, 25 ran.
High Nellie (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Led, jumped slightly right throughout, pressed entering straight, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Moulin A Vent (11-5) at Navan 2m 6f Yielding in Sep.
Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Soon tracked leader, bad mistake 5th and lost place but still chasing leaders, 12th after 10th, soon no danger, pulled up before 12th, at Listowel 3m hcp hvy in Sep.