Racecards
12:35 Punchestown (IRE)
Fundraiser For Children's Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Rated Novice Hurdle
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 130y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €16,000 added
- Winner: €9,600
- 2nd: €3,200
- 3rd: €1,600
- 4th: €800
- Form 9-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
tracked leader, raced keenly, slight mistake 4th, not fluent next, on terms 3 out, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed after last and soon headed, kept on same pace
- Form 21/13-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
led, joined 3 out, pushed along and headed before last, soon weakened
- Form 5-8U131
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey C P McNamara
tracked leaders, jumped left 2nd, disputed 3rd halfway, pushed along in 3rd after 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 4th close home
- Form 1/25-21
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, disputed 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th after 2 out, progress to 2nd at last, ridden to challenge after last and soon led, stayed on well
- Form 3-21146
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
held up in rear, 5th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and some headway to dispute 3rd at last, no impression on principals run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd close home
Verdict
Crosshill attracted good support on his hurdling debut over the course and distance and punters never had a moment's concern. It wasn't much of a race but there's a lot more to come. SNEAKY GETAWAY has won twice on the Flat, two bumpers and is unbeaten in both starts over timber. He beat a decent field of novices over this trip at Fairyhouse and will love the conditions. Railway Hurricane's only defeat in his last three came when stepped up to 2m3f at Galway so this could prove too demanding. He did finish in front of the odds-on Ruaille Buaille at Galway but the latter didn't get the run of the race and a line can be drawn through the performance. However, she ran poorly at Clonmel next time so has questions to answer. Winning point-to-pointer Power Of Pause did well enough in bumpers but needed more of a stamina test which he got when successful over 2m3f on his hurdling bow at Clonmel.
Formwatch
Crosshill (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 2nd 5 out, on terms 3 out, led next and quickly clear, pushed out run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 5f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Vanillier (12-0) by 11l, 16 ran.
Sneaky Getaway (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-12) Made all, pushed along 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Farceur Du Large (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Railway Hurricane (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Prominent, 4th after 4th, soon 2nd, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed and edged slightly right and stayed on best closing stages, won at Tipperary 2m Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Visionarian (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Power Of Pause (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6th, 2nd approaching straight, on terms approaching 2 out, soon led, quickly asserted, mistake last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn hvy in Nov beating Torygraph (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ruaille Buaille (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 5th halfway, 4th when hampered 7th, progress and on terms 3 out, pushed along and headed after next, no extra and weakened before last, 6th of 7, 34 3/4l behind Cask Mate (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Oct.