jumped well, made all, clear 11th, unchallenged
held up in touch, chased winner from 10th, kept on but no chance with winner
chased winner until 4th, lost place 8th, never on terms after
chased winner from 4th until 10th, mistake 1st and 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
A useful hurdler on his day, Punchy has already shown an aptitude over fences and looks to face a straightforward task here with Western Fort the only possible danger among the opposition. The winner of back-to-back handicap hurdles in the spring, Punchy was given a pipe opener over timber on his return last month before making a winning debut over fences at Uttoxeter last week, going clear four out but having to be pushed out to beat Benrajah. There is nothing of the calibre of the second that day in the line up here so Mark Pitman's gelding should be able to follow up with the minimum of fuss. The ex-Irish Sidewinder may well show improved form for his first run since joining Martin Pipe but needs to if he is to trouble winning point-to-pointer Western Fort, let alone the selection. A similar comment applies to stable mate Tarpon Tale in a race that should go to Punchy.
