Racecards
15:50 Punchestown (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €59,000
- 2nd: €19,000
- 3rd: €9,000
- 4th: €4,000
- Form 111106
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
soon led, slight mistake 4 out, pressed from before next, soon joined, headed 2 out, no impression and one pace from before straight
- Form 122121
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
led briefly early, raced in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, closed up before 3 out, soon on terms, led 2 out, went on approaching straight, stayed on well run-in, easily
- Form 2-11F61
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
held up towards rear, switched left after 4 out and closer order, moderate 4th before 2 out, soon no impression, slow jump at last and no extra
- Form 215236
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey J W Kennedy
held up towards rear, no extra from before 2 out
Karalee (FR)
30- Form 2/1-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
chased leaders, soon 4th, slight mistake 2nd, closer in 3rd from 4 out, kept on same pace from after 2 out
- Form P/P3111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 132
chased leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear, pulled up before last
- Form 1P74F4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
held up towards rear, pushed along 6th in last, some headway when slight mistake 2 out, soon moderate 5th and one pace
Verdict
Whiteout was the surprise winner of this a year ago but hasn't been in anywhere near that kind of form subsequently over longer trips. She finished a long way last behind APPLE'S JADE in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse in December and the winner, who won the following race here last year, looked a high-class performer when seeing off the strong challenge of Vroum Vroum Mag in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and should take this. Augusta Kate appeared to find some improvement to beat odds-on stable companion Let's Dance in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse over Easter and allows Willie Mullins to mount a strong challenge along with Karalee and Airlie Beach. The former has looked a superb prospect in winning two minor races doing metaphoric handsprings while the latter is already a Grade 1 winner ,though has been well beaten in her two latest starts. Philip Kirby will be hoping Lady Buttons earns some prize money after her hat-trick in handicap company but Barra was beaten in a novices' hurdle here on Thursday and is up against it.
Formwatch
Airlie Beach (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and pressed 2 out, soon headed, no extra before last, 6th of 7, 21 1/4l behind Augusta Kate (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Apple's Jade (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Always prominent, led before 5th, driven and hard pressed after 2 out, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar beating Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Augusta Kate 8-1 (11-7) Held up, 6th halfway, progress in 4th entering straight, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge and mistake last, kept on well to dispute run-in and edged ahead closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Let's Dance (11-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Barra (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Slight mistake 1st, soon chased leaders, 5th approaching 2nd, closer order from 4 out, 2nd approaching straight, dropped to 3rd approaching last, soon no extra, one pace, 6th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Asthuria (11-4) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Karalee (FR) 1-2fav (11-7) Soon led, went on 5th, reduced lead approaching straight, asserted 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f sft in Mar beating Goulane Davina (11-7) by 15l, 7 ran.
Lady Buttons 11-8fav (11-12) Made all, clear from 3 out, eased heavily towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Taweyla (11-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
Whiteout (GER) 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, dropped to 4th approaching 4 out, last before next, moderate 4th again approaching straight and no impression, 4th of 5, 21 1/2l behind Renneti (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.