Racecards
19:15 Punchestown (IRE)
Orchid Transport Mares Novice Hurdle
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €22,500 added
- Winner: €14,625
- 2nd: €4,275
- 3rd: €2,025
- 4th: €675
- Form 210431
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer B R Hamilton
- Jockey Mr D G Lavery
led, jumped right and headed 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd entering straight, soon no impression in 4th
- Form 3211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 125
tracked leader in 2nd, carried right 3 out, soon ridden, 4th entering straight, went 3rd before last, kept on without threatening
- Form 064104
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer E Stanners
- Jockey D E Splaine
in rear, ridden from 3 out, weakened before straight
- Form 51/1F2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
tracked leaders, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden entering straight, soon strongly pressed, joined at last, stayed on well run-in, headed and no extra close home
- Form 11-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, 4th after 3 out, slight mistake next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, improved to dispute lead at last, stayed on well run-in, edged ahead close home
- Form 317P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer J F O'Shea
- Jockey S G McDermott
in rear, closer 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
In depth
Verdict
TWIGLINE was only headed close home in a Grade 3 at Limerick last month. Curvacious was back in fourth and Money Spider pulled up after her saddle slipped. That looks the best form on offer in this and Willie Mullins' mare should take all the beating, though the yard also run the unbeaten Upsie who overcame trouble in-running to win a shade cosily at Naas in February. Kates Benefit shot clear at Navan last time and is another with scope but Bobbina and Speckled Wood need to improve again on respective wins at Limerick and Clonmel. The Conker Club was still a little green when scoring at the latter track four weeks ago but this is a big step up in class.
Formwatch
Bobbina (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Raced 4th of the 5, slight mistake 4th, closer order in 3rd from before 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, soon on terms and led 2 out, stayed on strongly to draw clear run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+) gd beating Dazzling Susie (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Speckled Wood (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd from before 4 out, closed before straight, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, soon led, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) hvy in Mar beating Lead Kindly Light (10-13) by 4l, 11 ran.
Curvacious (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led and disputed, headed before straight, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 14l behind Missunited (11-2) at Limerick 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Twigline (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Waited with behind leaders, went in pursuit of winner straight, closed and challenged last, gained narrow lead run-in, not match winner and headed closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Missunited (11-2) at Limerick 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) hvy in Mar.
Upsie (FR) 4-7fav (11-4) Tracked leaders on inner, in 3rd, hampered 3 out, switched to outer after 2 out, led before last where mistake, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Feb beating Aerlite Supreme (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Money Spider (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up and keen hold, saddle slipped after 3rd and pulled up before next, in a race won by Missunited (11-2) at Limerick 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Kates Benefit (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Soon led, jumped a little right at times, went on approaching 2 out, soon ridden to go further clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl beating Wipe Your Eye (10-11) by 15l, 17 ran.
The Conker Club (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 5th, went on from before 2 out, drifted a bit away from rail closing stages, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl in Mar beating Coolnagorna Giggs (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.