Racecards
18:40 Punchestown (IRE)
Growise Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good to Yielding (Good in places; Cross Country: Firm)
- Surface: Turf
- €80,001 added
- Winner: €49,600
- 2nd: €15,199
- 3rd: €7,200
- 4th: €2,400
- Form 2/11136-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 140
in touch in rear, mistakes 6th, 10th and 12th, headway from 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, soon no extra, 3rd from last
- Form 1/3134-P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer W Harney
- Jockey B J Cooper
in rear until blundered and unseated rider 7th
- Form 11343-2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leaders, closer in 2nd 5 out, ridden and no impression from next
- Form 380/F96-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 141
tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, close enough in 2nd when fell next
- Form 2F6/1FF-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
disputed lead, led from 4th, hampered by loose horse on landing 11th and brought down
- Form 1/12111-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer C A Murphy
- Jockey D N Russell
always prominent, jumped slightly left throughout, left in front 11th, ridden clear entering straight, kept on well from last
- Form 413733-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey D A Jacob
tracked leaders, ridden when hampered 4 out and left 5th, no impression from next
- Form 324F2-2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer D T Hughes
- Jockey Paul Carberry
disputed lead early, headed 4th, 2nd from 11th, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd before last, went 2nd from last
- Form PP0/114-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 146
Verdict
The going could make all the difference here as the very progressive and high-class Quito De La Roque may find the ground too lively after his hard-fought success over Sarando in the Grade 2 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree. Quel Esprit has been in touch when falling in two Grade 1s and will win a big one before long though he's another whose form is on ground with plenty of give. Loosen My Load has been contesting high-class events since gaining his first success over fences on this course last May. He's ideally suited by fast conditions and the only doubt is over the trip as he's never raced beyond 2m4f in his career. REVE DE SIVOLA has improved since being stepped up to this distance on his last two starts at Cheltenham and Aintree and, as he loves quick ground, he can beat off the home challenge and take this for Nick Williams.
Formwatch
Head Of The Posse (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 4 out, driven along in 6th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 9, 26l behind Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
Kakagh (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Un Hinged (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Loosen My Load (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, left moderate 3rd 2 out, kept on to 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Realt Dubh (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 gd in Apr.
Mr Thriller (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, no impression approaching next, 6th of 11, 16l behind Noble Prince (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Quel Esprit (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 11th, led 13th, still going fine when fell 3 out, in a race won by Bostons Angel (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 5th, blundered 13th, headway to challenge 3 out, led and soon headed when stumbled badly 2 out, regained lead last, kept on gamely flat, all out, won at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Sarando (11-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, hit 13th, led after 2 out, jumped right and headed last, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Prince De Beauchene (10-5) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Western Charmer (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Always prominent, chased clear leaders in 3rd halfway, closer after 13th, 2nd before 3 out, led briefly under pressure after next, no impression on winner from before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 25, 5l behind Organisedconfusion (9-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gd in Apr.
Thegreatjohnbrowne (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Led and attempted to make all, headed briefly entering straight, rallied to narrowly lead again before last, headed and edged right under pressure run-in, no extra closing stages, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bostons Angel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.