Racecards
13:50 Clonmel (IRE)
Munster Hurdle
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 104y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €12,500 added
- Winner: €7,700
- 2nd: €2,388
- 3rd: €1,137
- 4th: €512
- Form 141-546
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer J Neilan
- Jockey Paul Townend
held up in touch behind leaders, a little keen, closed up 8th, 2nd approaching straight, soon pushed along, 3rd before 2 out, soon no impression, one pace
- Form 5-157
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer A Lynch
- Jockey D N Russell
held up in touch behind leaders, closed up 8th, soon tracked leaders, 2nd before 2 out, no impression and not fluent last, no extra, one pace
- Form 2131F3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
close up and disputed lead, led after 3 out, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along after 2 out, asserted last, stayed on well run-in
- Form 56255
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer A Keatley
- Jockey R Loughran
led and disputed, headed after 3 out, dropped to last before straight, no extra from before 2 out
- Form 672213
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J W Nicholson
- Jockey M A Enright
tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, slightly slow 8th, slight mistake next and pushed along briefly, last and pushed along again after 3 out, soon slightly impeded, quickly progress again, 4th no impression approaching 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Hunters Call began his hurdles career with a victory at Naas in November 2015 before returning after a year off. He's been highly tried in his last two runs though will need to raise his game. Ben Dundee also won a Naas maiden but has only run moderately in two subsequent starts where mistakes haven't aided his cause. RUNFORDAVE battled to victory in a Fairyhouse maiden and was leading when falling two out at Limerick on St Stephens Day. He ran a fine race over a trip just too short in a Punchestown Grade 2 last month and this should prove within his capabilities. Mr Champers was well beaten in testing ground on his hurdles debut here a fortnight ago but the consistent Ask Susan looks a threat. She had been running well over timber before landing a Tramore bumper then appeared to find 2m4f just stretching her stamina back over hurdles at Fairyhouse.
Formwatch
Hunters Call (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Soon raced in 4th, under pressure from 5th, dropped to rear approaching straight, weakened, last of 6, dist behind Sutton Place (11-10) at Naas 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Ben Dundee (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra before last, 7th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Thirsty Work (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.
Runfordave (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along briefly 5th, closer in 3rd 2 out, ridden and disputed lead entering straight, mistake at last and soon headed, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Any Second Now (11-0) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Mr Champers (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression before straight, moderate 5th 2 out and mistake, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 17, dist behind Ask Nile (11-11) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn hvy in Feb.
Ask Susan (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slightly slow 2nd and pushed along briefly, 5th at 5th, mistake 8th, not fluent next, still chasing leaders into straight, no impression 2 out, 3rd of 16, 15 1/2l behind West Bridge (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Jan.