Racecards
17:55 Punchestown (IRE)
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m 30y
- Going: Yielding (Good to Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €300,000 added
- Winner: €180,000
- 2nd: €60,000
- 3rd: €30,000
- 4th: €15,000
- Form 114-112
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 172
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
disputed lead, led before 3rd, joined 4 out, led next, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, not fluent at last, headed after last, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 3rd at line
- Form 133-171
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
disputed lead, headed before 3rd and raced prominently, disputed lead briefly 4 out, ridden and headed next, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression
- Form 022-552
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer M Brassil
- Jockey J J Slevin
tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 7th, pushed along and dropped to 4th before 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, went 3rd 2 out, good headway to lead after last, stayed on well inside final furlong
- Form 3-1336F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 159
in touch in last, mistake 5th, not fluent 8th and pushed along, soon off pace, ridden 4 out, weakened
- Form 1F1-111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 180
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
tracked leaders in 4th, not fluent 7th, close 3rd at 13th, disputed lead 4 out, headed next, ridden in 2nd entering straight, dropped to 3rd and no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, went 2nd at line
- Form 1-21U1F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 168
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey J C Gainford
NonRunner
Verdict
Paul Nicholls isn't afraid to take on GALOPIN DES CHAMPS again with Bravemansgame after their 1-2 in the Gold Cup but, though this is a completely different test, it's hard to desert the winner, who was gaining his sixth Grade 1 victory and had plenty in hand. The runner-up should be suited by this less stiff track and can make a race of it this time without turning the tables. Hewick fell two out in the Gold Cup when just starting to feel the pinch but he's another certain to be suited by the less demanding circuit while Envoi Allen bounced back with a brilliant display to beat Shishkin in the Ryanair and the runner-up went one better at Aintree.
Formwatch
Bravemansgame (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, left 3rd 17th, switched left before leading 2 out, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Galopin Des Champs (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.
Envoi Allen (FR) 13-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, mistake 4 out, pecked 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well run-in, clear inside final 150 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar beating Shishkin (11-10) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Fastorslow (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway before 3 out, led last, edged left and headed flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 23, nk behind Corach Rambler (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fury Road (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Fell 2nd, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Galopin Des Champs (FR) 7-5fav (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, headway on outside after 16th, not fluent 18th or 3 out, switched right before 2 out, led last, stayed on strongly to draw clear final 150 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar beating Bravemansgame (11-10) by 7l, 13 ran.
Hewick (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leader, left in lead 17th, headed and losing place when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (1) sft in Mar.