Racecards
14:35 Punchestown (IRE)
Festival Any Day Flexi-Ticket Hurdle
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- €14,500 added
- Winner: €10,005
- 2nd: €2,320
- 3rd: €1,015
- 4th: €581
- Form 317-114
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer J G Cosgrave
- Jockey Mr N McParlan
led and clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
- Form 386-1P0
- Age 10
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
settled 3rd, fell 4 out
- Form 223150
- Age 12
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer M Hourigan
- Jockey J S McGarvey
held up in rear, ridden into 3rd 2 out, no impression leaders before straight, kept on one pace
- Form 13315-0
- Age 11
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer J Morrissey
- Jockey P Townend
held up in 4th, left 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened before straight
- Form 1253-02
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer E P Harty
- Jockey N P Madden
chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 3 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to lead before last, soon stretched clear, kept on strongly, comfortably
Verdict
Apt Approach has done much better over fences than hurdles though he did manage to beat Prince Rudi over timber at Fairyhouse in December. Corbally Ghost hasn't been seen since landing a Grade 3 novices' event at Cork in December 2011 and may just need this while the veteran Dancing Tornado hasn't won over timber for almost three years. It's even longer since the useful chaser Western Leader won over the smaller obstacles so this can go to the much less exposed DRESSEDTOTHENINES. She was attempting to concede Cheltenham hope Annie Power 5lb when runner-up at Clonmel a fortnight ago and though lacking the experience of these rivals is progressing well enough to make her allowance count. Mount Colah hasn't been seen since a poor run at Galway in July but had looked a decent prospect earlier.
Formwatch
Mount Colah (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 25l behind Face Value (10-10) at Galway 2m nh nov hdl sft in Jul.
Apt Approach (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outer, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 11th of 18, 21l behind Farrells Fancy (9-6) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division on inner, no impression before 2 out, 10th of 18, 19l behind Farrells Fancy (9-6) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Jan.
De Valira (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 16th of 28, 40l behind Abbey Lane (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Dressedtothenines (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden entering straight, no impression on winner from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Annie Power (11-2) at Clonmel 2m hdl hvy.
Corbally Ghost (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Waited with, closer in 3rd before straight, challenged and on terms 3 out, soon led, jumped left last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Dec '11 beating Best Served Cold (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Western Leader (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Prominent and soon led, headed approaching 4 out and dropped to 3rd, soon no extra and no threat early straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Mikael D'Haguenet (11-12) at Thurles 2m 4f nov chs hvy in Jan.