Racecards
17:45 Punchestown (IRE)
La Touche Restaurant Novice Chase
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- €20,000 added
- Winner: €12,320
- 2nd: €3,820
- 3rd: €1,821
- 4th: €820
- Form 133/115-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
tracked leaders, 3rd from 6th, slightly slow 4 out, left chasing winner from 2 out, soon under pressure and one pace
- Form 401/21F-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
soon disputed lead, gained narrow lead after 4 out, still travelling smoothly when left with decisive advantage from 2 out, stayed on well run-in, easily
- Form 500421/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey J W Kennedy
in rear, slightly slow 4th and soon well off pace, slightly impeded 7th and no danger, fell last
- Form 8PP543-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer D Broad
- Jockey R C Colgan
held up early, 4th soon after 6th, jumped slightly right 3 out, not go with leaders from before straight, jumped right and left 3rd 2 out, one pace
- Form 18/8700-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, well off pace from next, mistakes 5th and 7th, never a factor
- Form 314U77/
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey L P Dempsey
tracked leaders, inclined to jump left, bad mistake 6th, soon dropped to 5th, no impression 4 out, weakened
- Form 635230-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey D E Mullins
soon disputed lead, narrowly headed after 4 out, pushed along from next, still chasing winner when fell 2 out
- Form P/P212-U
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer S Curling
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
took keen hold early, towards rear, slightly slow 3rd, slight mistake 4th, no impression after 7th in moderate 6th, soon no extra
Verdict
POTTERS POINT, who won the closing bumper on this card for Willie Mullins in 2015, has changed stables and is penalised for his chasing debut victory at Fairyhouse but ran well on his next start in a tough handicap here at the Festival where a couple of mistakes didn't aid his cause. He's given the nod over the champion trainer's Townshend, who is the other carrying extra for a facile victory at Naas and he was in touch when falling in the Grade 1 Ryanair here last month won by stable companion Great Field. Bobbie's Diamond looked a smart prospect in 2015/16 but the lack of a run since last April puts him at a disadvantage while stable companion Quickpic Vic was last seen in the Champion Novice Hurdle here in 2014 won by Faugheen and makes his chasing debut. Three Wise Men didn't run very well at the Festival but his earlier form against strong opposition puts him in the frame.
Formwatch
Potters Point (IRE) 9-2fav (10-10) Prominent, mistake 1st, soon chased leaders, 4th after 3 out, mistake next, slight mistake last and one pace, 5th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Don't Touch It (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Townshend (GER) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, took keen hold, fell 7th, at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Bobbie's Diamond (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th after 6th, went 3rd approaching straight, 2nd from 2 out travelling smoothly, pushed out to lead run-in, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Apr beating Pakman (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Definite Earl (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, headway on inner 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 13 1/2l behind Potters Point (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mount Beckham (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division on outer, never a factor, no extra in rear before 3 out, weakened, last of 14, dist behind Wakea (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Quickpick Vic (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor, 7th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Faugheen (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Three Wise Men (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 7th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, never a factor, 10th of 15, 33l behind Woodland Opera (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Longhouse Music 25-1 (11-7) Led, slight mistake 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 5th when badly hampered and unseated rider at last, at Roscommon 2m 5f gd in May.