Racecards
14:30 Punchestown (IRE)
Gift Punchestown Vouchers This Christmas Beginners Chase
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 150y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €12,500 added
- Winner: €7,500
- 2nd: €2,500
- 3rd: €1,250
- 4th: €625
- Form 121-
- Age 6
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
disputed lead early, a little keen, soon led, jumped well, disputed at times, headed from 10th, led again from 3 out, joined after 2 out, regained lead before last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in
- Form 1190F/P
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer O McKiernan
- Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe
waited with in rear, slightly impeded 8th, soon 5th, 4th approaching 3 out and no impression, one pace
- Form 1F1-345
- Age 6
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
pushed along briefly 2nd, chased leaders and pushed along at stages after, 5th after 6th, dropped to last from 8th, no impression and mistake 4 out
- Form P3F3-24
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Mark Walsh
prominent, 3rd after 6th, not fluent 9th, closed approaching 4 out, soon pushed along briefly, pushed along again from 3 out, soon effort, on terms after 2 out, headed before last, soon no impression and one pace
- Form 2355-53
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey D E Mullins
waited with behind leaders, 6th after 6th, slight mistake 7th, 4th from 8th, not fluent 9th, slight mistake 4 out, 5th approaching 3 out and no impression, fell 2 out
- Form 4219/2-3
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer Peter Fahey
- Jockey K C Sexton
disputed lead early, close up and disputed at times, bad mistake and unseated rider 8th
- Form 41416-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Keith Donoghue
tracked leaders, 4th after 6th, jumped slightly left 7th, 2nd from 8th, led from 10th, headed from 3 out, dropped to 3rd into straight, one pace after
In depth
Verdict
Winning point-to-pointer EKLAT DE RIRE looked a potentially smart staying chaser when sauntering to victory over hurdles at Thurles in March. He's the only one of these without a recent run but is still expected to see off Run Wild Fred. Gordon Elliott's dual bumper and hurdles winner couldn't handle Grade 2 company last time but had performed well in his previous two starts over fences. The stable also run Larquebuse, a winning point-to-pointer, bumper and hurdler who will have come on a bundle for her run at Naas. School Boy Hours made too many mistakes here last time but is better suited by a stiffer test of stamina as he showed on the track earlier.
Formwatch
Eklat De Rire (FR) 6-5fav (11-4) Made all, went on approaching straight and still travelling smoothly, pushed along before last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar beating All About Joe (11-3) by 6l, 12 ran.
Lean Araig (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, no extra and detached when pulled up before 5 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders early, slow jump 1st, settled in mid-division, took closer order in 3rd from 10th, improved to challenge 3 out and led from next, pushed along before last and kept on well under pressure run-in, 5th of 7, dist behind Pencilfulloflead (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) hvy in Nov.
School Boy Hours (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistakes 9th and 10th, mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression after next, no extra from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 18, 16 3/4l behind Asterion Forlonge (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Stormy Judge (IRE) 16-5fav (12-0) Waited with, a little slow 2nd, disputed 10th approaching 8th, bad mistake 6 out, improved to chase leaders 4 out, effort and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Notice To Close (12-0) at Cork 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
The Big Dog (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd after 4th, slight mistake 11th, soon 4th, 5th approaching straight and under pressure, no extra when impeded 2 out, 3rd again and one pace after, 3rd of 11, 27l behind Colreevy (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Larquebuse (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, disputed 5th after 5th, soon headway, 4th and slight mistake 4 out, not match principals approaching straight, not fluent last, one pace, 5th of 11, 16l behind Janidil (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Nov.