Racecards
13:40 Punchestown (IRE)
Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €40,000 added
- Winner: €26,000
- 2nd: €7,599
- 3rd: €3,600
- 4th: €1,200
- Form P31211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer C Bowe
- Jockey Mr B O'Neill
raced 3rd, 2nd at 3rd, almost on terms 11th, led narrowly 4 out, headed 3 out, regained lead 2 out, soon ridden, kept on strongly after last, driven out
- Form 710-231
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D J Mullins
settled 4th, 3rd after 8th, progress to lead narrowly 11th, close 3rd 12th, 4th at 13th, 2nd 4 out, headway to lead 3 out, soon pushed along, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on run-in, not match winner
- Form 33/34-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, 5th at 9th, 6th and bad mistake 12th, 5th at 13th, 4th and mistake 3 out, 3rd and switched left before 2 out, soon ridden, ran on run-in without threatening winner
- Form 170-142
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 134
rear, 6th at 9th, progress to 4th at 12th, 3rd at 13th, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression, kept on same pace
- Form 2/F4-241
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey L P Dempsey
led, mistake 10th, close 3rd 11th, led 12th, dropped to 4th 4 out, soon pushed along, 5th and not fluent 3 out, ridden after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
- Form 1034-31
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer M S Sandra Hughes
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 3rd, 4th after 8th, 5th and pecked at 12th, dropped to 6th at 13th, driven after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
Verdict
Gigginstown have three runners here and it is difficult to split them. The Gordon Elliott pair Captain Von Trappe and Unic De Bersy are potentially useful chasers with the easy victory of the former at Galway last time looking just the stronger form. However, Bryan Cooper has chosen to ride Wrath Of Titans after he steered him to an impressive victory at Fairyhouse. But SHANTOU FLYER looked a very smart staying prospect when beating a strong field over three miles at Cheltenham. He won't be inconvenienced by the slight drop in trip and can gain his fourth victory on his seventh start over fences. Killer Miller warmed to his task as the race unravelled on his chasing bow at Naas and he has much more to offer while Rightdownthemiddle chased home the prolific Lord Scoundrel at Cork and the winner runs in the previous race here.
Formwatch
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, hampered 3 out, mistake 2 out, rallied flat, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct beating Weather Babe (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Captain Von Trappe (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Made all, 5 lengths clear halfway, slight mistake 4 out, increased advantage approaching 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Galway 2m 7f Yielding in Oct beating The Winkler (11-12) by 13l, 6 ran.
Killer Miller (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd travelling well entering straight, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Bonny Kate (11-5) by 6l, 18 ran.
Rightdownthemiddle (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, mistake 2nd, improved into 2nd after 5 out, challenged 3 out, almost on terms next and soon ridden, no impression from last and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Lord Scoundrel (11-3) at Cork 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Unic De Bersy (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Led after 1st, ridden and pressed entering straight, kept on well from before last, asserted run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4f gd in Oct beating Blue Bicycle (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Wrath Of Titans (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Led, slightly slow 2nd, joined before 3 out, soon slightly impeded, still travelling smoothly after 2 out, soon led, mistake last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Nov beating Undressed (11-12) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.