Racecards
14:05 Punchestown (IRE)
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft to Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €80,001 added
- Winner: €52,000
- 2nd: €15,199
- 3rd: €7,200
- 4th: €2,400
- Form 253/5P-2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led, headed halfway, pushed along in 5th approaching 4 out, no extra in 5th 3 out, left moderate 3rd after last
- Form 31/433-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 161
- Trainer P Nolan
- Jockey Paul Carberry
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace but no impression on winner run-in
- Form 3U1P-P3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Casey
always towards rear, bad mistake 1st, fell 5 out
- Form 117-512
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Ms N Carberry
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, moderate 3rd when fell last
- Form 17213-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer R Hennessy
- Jockey A E Lynch
always prominent, led from halfway, asserted 3 out, kept on well in straight, driven out run-in
- Form 3/P666-4
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer Laurence Butler
- Jockey T J Doyle
towards rear, tended to jump left, no impression when mistake 4 out, tailed off
- Form 6/117-U1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd approaching 4 out, no extra after 3 out, weakened and eased, pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
Tranquil Sea won this last year when Cooldine and Trafford Lad were behind while Joncol scored the previous year. Joncol had Cooldine a long way behind when both returned at Thurles but the latter was only a neck behind him in the Hennessy at Leopardstown last year. RUBI LIGHT has yet to do it at the very highest level but this could be his time. The six-year-old, a close third to Albertas Run at Cheltenham in March, would have made a winning reappearance in a Grade 2 at Gowran in October but for falling at the last and has the scope to be a potential champion at this trip. Kempes had Joncol behind when landing this year's Hennessy and a recent spin over hurdles will have put him straight, while Roi Du Mee was a cracking novice last season and his two runs this term suggest he's still progressing.
Formwatch
Cooldine (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led, travelling well entering straight, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner from last, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Joncol (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) in Nov.
Joncol (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Raced 3rd, ridden in 2nd 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, soon led, went clear from last, stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) in Nov beating Cooldine (11-0) by 12l, 4 ran.
Kempes (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead entering straight, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, soon no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 4l behind New Phase (11-12) at Cork 2m hdl in Nov.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 5th, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Kauto Stone (11-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Rubi Light (FR) 5-4 (11-8) Soon led, good jump 5 out and went on, reduced lead approaching straight, asserted from before 2 out and soon in command, drifted to right and fell last, remounted to finish 3rd, 3rd of 4, well behind Sizing Europe (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Oct.
Trafford Lad 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and no extra 3 out, 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 17l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Navan 2m chs G2 (1) in Nov.
Tranquil Sea (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out and soon pushed along, travelling well again entering straight and led before 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Clonmel 2m 4f chs G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Psycho (11-8) by 4l, 4 ran.