Racecards
14:00 Punchestown (IRE)
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 100y
- Going: Yielding to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €80,000 added
- Winner: €48,000
- 2nd: €16,000
- 3rd: €8,000
- 4th: €4,000
- Form 3/64112-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 174
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
led, slow 4th, jumped slightly left 6th, jumped left 4 out and soon pressed, joined before next where left in lead, 5-length advantage after 3 out, ridden entering straight, slow and mistake 2 out, soon pressed, steadied last, kept on well run-in
- Form FF4331-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased leaders, disputed 2nd halfway, pressed leader 4 out, disputed before next where bad mistake and unseated rider
- Form 111FP-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 163
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer and slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden, left disputing 2nd and slightly hampered 3 out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace
- Form P2213-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 167
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey M P Walsh
chased leader, disputed 2nd halfway, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
- Form 11252F-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Bryony Frost
held up, progress and mistake 4 out, ridden into 4th entering straight, no extra after 2 out
- Form 5/13F12-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey J S McGarvey
held up in mid-division, progress 4 out, ridden to dispute 3rd 3 out, soon left 2nd, under pressure entering straight, pressed leader 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
- Form 7/22194-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 166
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened next
- Form 2/335PP-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B Hayes
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression entering straight, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
- Form 20/1221-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Mr D O'Connor
always towards rear, ridden and no extra before 4 out, behind when fell heavily 3 out
- Form 5/22543-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 161
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J O'Keeffe
held up, pecked 1st, ridden in 8th 4 out, under pressure in 7th entering straight, stayed on run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins has won six of the last eight and has seven of the ten entries. However, Henry De Bromhead's Envoi Allen looked right back to his best at Down Royal and if he jumps with the same enthusiasm he'll make a bold bid to add to his dozen victories under Rules. Rachael Blackmore chooses him over Grand National hero Minella Times who will surely find this on the short side. Fakir D'Oudaries landed the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree and reappeared with an impressive victory at Clonmel though was beaten 12l by ALLAHO in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. The winner was brilliant that day then found 2m too short in the Champion Chase at Punchestown and can make a successful reappearance. None of the remaining Mullins' entries can be dismissed with Janidil looking the type to improve this campaign and Bryony Frost booked for Franco De Port, who wasn't far behind him in a Grade 1 novices' chase at Fairyhouse.
Formwatch
Allaho (FR) 6-4 (12-0) Prominent and disputed lead, led briefly before 3rd, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and no impression after next, went moderate 2nd approaching last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind Chacun Pour Soi (12-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, disputed lead 5 out, led travelling well 3 out, went clear 2 out, briefly shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, eased close home, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr beating Walk Away (10-8) by 14l, 15 ran.
Envoi Allen (FR) 4-11fav (12-0) Led early, joined 1st, regained lead after 2nd, quickly stretched clear before 2 out and kept on well from last, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Oct beating Echoes Of Family (10-10) by 22l, 6 ran.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 5-4fav (12-0) Disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, closer 3 out and headway to lead approaching next, drew clear after 2 out, kept on well run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 5f (1) sft in Nov beating Royal Rendezvous (11-12) by 15l, 4 ran.
Franco De Port (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, slight mistake 8th, in touch when fell 3 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Janidil (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Raced in 2nd early, soon 3rd, pushed along briefly 7th, headway from 4 out, pushed along again and went 2nd approaching straight and no impression, one pace, 2nd of 4, 16l behind Energumene (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Kemboy (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Prominent briefly, soon chased leaders, disputed briefly 5th to 6th, close 2nd and slight mistake 7 out, ridden in 4th 4 out, no extra before next, weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Melon 12-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, headed 7th, weakened to rear 10th, pulled up 7 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Minella Times (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 28th (3 out), led before 29th (2 out), clear elbow, stayed on well, won at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr beating Balko Des Flos (10-9) by 6 1/2l, 40 ran.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, pushed along early stages, not fluent 10th, went 6th 12th, went 4th after 3 out, switched right after last, soon went 3rd, no chance with winner but kept on to close on 2nd, 3rd of 11, 12 1/2l behind Allaho (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.