Racecards
18:05 Punchestown (IRE)
Betchronicle.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €75,000 added
- Winner: €48,750
- 2nd: €14,249
- 3rd: €6,750
- 4th: €2,250
- Form 23213-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer P E Collins
- Jockey Mr J P McKeown
chased leaders, 4th 6f out, ridden approaching straight, moderate 5th 2f out, no extra
- Form 21-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer S Fahey
- Jockey Mr J A Fahey
rear of mid-division, 11th 4f out, no impression approaching straight, weakened
- Form 218/4
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey Miss K Harrington
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 10th approaching straight, soon no extra
- Form 2/4-
- Age 6
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Mr Derek O'Connor
led, strongly pressed and headed approaching straight, moderate 6th 2f out, no extra
- Form 533112-
- Age 6
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer G T Lynch
- Jockey M P Fogarty
held up towards rear, some headway on inner into 9th approaching straight, no impression from 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 1/12-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
tracked leaders on inner, 7th halfway, went 3rd approaching straight, headway to challenge over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, led closing strides
- Form 221-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer N Kennedy
- Jockey Mr R P Quinlan
prominent, 2nd 6f out, ridden and dropped to 7th approaching straight, soon no extra
- Form 1F1-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Ms N Carberry
held up in rear, some headway on outer 4f out, driven along and no impression approaching straight, no threat from over 2f out
- Form 210-
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr M J O'Connor
chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra approaching straight, weakened
- Form 11/63-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey Mr J J Codd
rear of mid-division, driven along in 12th approaching straight, kept on from over 1f out without threatening leaders
- Form 5212-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ms K Walsh
rear of mid-division, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight
- Form 75/11-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P O'Callaghan
- Jockey Mr K E Power
towards rear, headway on outer into 8th approaching straight, went moderate 4th 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 2/68212-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer Mrs D A Love
- Jockey Mr C M Murphy
rear of mid-division, no extra approaching straight, soon eased and pulled up
- Form 21-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey Mr M Fahey
prominent, 5th 6f out, good headway on outer to go 2nd approaching straight, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd well over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
- Form 111-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey R P McNamara
tracked leader, 3rd 6f out, switched left and led approaching straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed closing strides
In depth
Verdict
WAAHEB has been saved for this by Dermot Weld who took the race with another four-year-old in Hidden Universe last year. An impressive winner of all three starts to date on soft ground, he has the Flat speed to be suited by today's quicker going and should remain unbeaten. Lovethehigherlaw was a disappointing favourite at Limerick in March but that didn't look his true running and he should do better though a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of Steps To Freedom, who beat the well-regarded Montbazon in the Grade 2 Champion Bumper at Aintree. Both Letter Of Credit and Shadow Eile have run very well behind the talented Samain while Nigel Twiston-Davies has always had a high opinion of Go All The Way, who was having only his second start when an excellent fourth in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham.
Formwatch
Aupcharlie (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear of mid-division, headway 6f out, challenged 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out to over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 24, 10l behind Cheltenian (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 5th, close up travelling well straight, quickened to lead under 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m N H flat hvy in Feb beating Giant's Quest (11-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Fionn Tra (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden entering straight, stayed on into 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 8l behind Reizovic (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat gd in Apr.
Go All The Way (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear on inside, ridden 4f out, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, not reached leaders, 4th of 24, 14l behind Cheltenian (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Settled in 4th, went 3rd 2f out, soon ridden and 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Samain (11-10) at Naas 2m N H flat in Feb.
Lovethehigherlaw (IRE) 1-2fav (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to last but in touch 4f out, closed again into 3rd and ridden entering straight, drifted left from 1 1/2f out, went moderate 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Mount Benbulben (11-11) at Limerick 2m 3f N H flat sft in Mar.
Starling Force (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, closed 6f out, on terms 5f out and led over 4f out, clear under 2f out, ridden and stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m N H flat sft in Mar beating Carrig Millie (11-4) by 2l, 16 ran.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, hampered over 4f out, switched right over 3f out, headway going well over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr beating Montbazon (10-12) by 2l, 20 ran.
Tusa Eire (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 15th of 24, 32l behind Cheltenian (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Big Time Billy (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 7f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left and lost 2nd entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Tempest River (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Ceol Rua (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, not able to trouble winner, 2nd of 18, 2 1/4l behind Tempest River (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Dazzling Susie (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, good headway on inner approaching straight, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong and kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m mrs N H flat hvy in Feb beating The Bog Road Girl (10-11) by 2l, 7 ran.
Shadow Eile (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, good headway to lead approaching straight, driven along 2f out, strongly pressed and headed early final furlong, soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Samain (12-0) at Curragh 2m N H flat sft in Apr.
Jenari (IRE) 9-10fav (11-2) Mid-division, progress from over 5f out, 2nd over 4f out, travelling best from before straight, on terms over 2f out, soon led, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nhf gd in Apr beating The Young Offender (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Waaheb (USA) 4-7fav (11-9) Narrow leader and raced wide, disputed lead into straight, travelling best 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, pushed out to go clear inside final furlong, impressive, won at Limerick 2m 4yo NH flat (Listed) in Apr beating Black Zorro (11-2) by 7l, 12 ran.