mid-division, headway after 6th, chased leader 3 out, led 2 out, ran on
in touch when fell 4th
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, hampered 4th, ridden 7th, weakened soon after
led, headed 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
keen, headway 7th, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakened next
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden and not fluent 3 out, chased winner last, under pressure flat, always held
in touch, mistake 5th, gradually lost place from 7th
towards rear, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened when mistake 3 out
tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last
mid-division hampered 4th, mistake 6th, ridden 8th, weakened after next
in rear hampered 4th, pulled up before 8th
Punchestowns is a very exciting prospect and should be hard to beat despite his penalty. Opposition is a little thin on the ground but Busker Royal is one to keep a close eye on whilst Auroras Encore has run some decent races. The selection was the talk of the racecourse prior to his debut and justified the talk with a taking performance at Sandown despite looking as though he would improve for the experience. The first two pulled a long way clear and he should be able to land this before his sights are raised. Auroras Encore stays very well and should ensure that this is a thorough test; he looked to have a tough enough test last time though and could be tapped for toe back at this trip. Busker Royal was given a nice introduction to hurdling at Ascot behind Elusive Dream. It's difficult to guess the true value of the form but it was an eyecatching run and he should be watched with interest. Ouzbeck and Ogee have outside claims on the pick of their form but they're set for minor honours at best with Punchestowns hard to beat.
Punchestowns (FR) 11-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating The Package (11-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led from 3rd, hit 4th, 5th, narrow advantage when fell 3 out in race won by Viking Rebel (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Ouzbeck (FR) 2-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place after 5th, behind when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Matuhi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Ardfry (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, pulled hard, hung left and weakened quickly approaching 3 out, 9th of 12, 50l behind Kingscourt Lad (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Ballynalty Express (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up, never dangerous, 20th of 22, well behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Busker Royal 33-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, raced keenly, ridden 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Elusive Dream (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Changing Lanes 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 18, well behind Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 5th, weakened 4 out, behind when fell at the last in race won by Black Ven (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Job One (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Galient (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Katy's Classic (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Harrycone Lewis (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb '06, 13 ran.
Ogee 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 16l behind Hold Em (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Sir Winston (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) In touch, struggling 4th, weakened after 6th, 8th of 14, 27l behind Bertie May (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Thegalleryman (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened after 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pettifour (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, not fluent 1st or 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 6th of 15, 31l behind Sentry Duty (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Isaac Newton (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, 42l behind First Buddy (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
Lets Get Cracking (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left 3rd, ridden and headway 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Newby Abbey (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 17, well behind Snap Tie (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Weet For Ever (USA) 150-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and hampered last, one pace, 9th of 17, 43l behind Dansimar (9-8) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
