Racecards
15:50 Punchestown (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €59,000
- 2nd: €19,000
- 3rd: €9,000
- 4th: €4,000
- Form 1/1111-F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd before 2 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, led before last, went clear early run-in, stayed on well, comfortably
- Form 132163
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Danny Mullins
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, ridden and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace
- Form 131222
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey R M Power
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no impression on winner early run-in, kept on same pace
- Form 133F34
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
reluctant to race and veered left and slowly away, always trailing and never travelling, tailed off when pulled up after 5th
- Form 6U3/11-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
held up in 4th, niggled along at 3rd, off leaders in moderate 4th next, slight mistake 7th, continued trailing in 4th
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins has had a fabulous Festival and it will be a surprise if BENIE DES DIEUX doesn't repeat last year's victory when she had a top field well beaten. She was having her first subsequent start in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and was well in command when coming to grief at the last. Her stable companion Stormy Ireland took advantage to finish runner-up and she's a very smart performer who had run well behind Laurina and Espoir D'Allen on her previous two starts and she was eight lengths in front of Good Thyne Tara when landing a Listed contest here in November. Tintangle has never been this far but has been in fine form at a very high level and the longer trip may well bring about further improvement. Nicky Henderson doesn't send horses here without chances but With Discretion will have to have improved dramatically from her maiden and novice victories last spring to mix it with these.
Formwatch
Benie Des Dieux (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led going well 2 out, 3 lengths clear and looked in command when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Good Thyne Tara 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, effort after 2 out, soon ridden, one pace in 3rd when left 2nd and hampered last, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Roksana (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Led, headed 2 out, outpaced in 4th turning in, left 3rd at last, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Roksana (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Tintangle (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 5th, 5th halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no extra from last, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
With Discretion (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Jumped well and always travelling, made all, came clear after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) sft in Apr beating Sensulano (11-4) by 11l, 11 ran.