Racecards
12:50 Punchestown (IRE)
Alanna Homes Handicap Chase (Grade B)
- 17 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 150y
- Going: Soft to Heavy (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €75,000 added
- Winner: €45,000
- 2nd: €15,000
- 3rd: €7,500
- 4th: €3,750
- Form 427168-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr R James
rear of mid-division, closer halfway and headway 4 out, 3rd and ridden after 2 out, no impression last, no extra run-in
- Form 411P35-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
chased clear leader, closer in 5th halfway, slow 6 out, closer 4 out and 2nd 2 out, pushed along and no impression on winner from before last, kept on one pace
- Form 9/P1111-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
tracked leaders when fell 1st
- Form 4/6514U-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Sean O'Keeffe
mid-division, mistake 3rd, 6th after 3 out, ridden after 2 out and 4th when pecked slightly last, kept on one pace into 3rd run-in
- Form 2/112F1-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer E Mullins
- Jockey Brian Hayes
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, mistake next and unseated rider
- Form 55P/111-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Gavin Brouder
chased clear leader, 6th halfway, soon lost place, some headway after 3 out and kept on one pace in straight
- Form 50-4711
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
always towards rear, never a factor, no impression 4 out, behind when pulled up after next
- Form 1/53F2P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
disputed lead early, chased clear leader, closer in 3rd halfway, slight mistake 6 out, led 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra and mistake last
- Form 0P/3132-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased clear leader, closer in 2nd halfway, disputed briefly after 4 out, 4th entering straight and mistake 2 out, no impression approaching last, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in
- Form 1P3539-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Sean Flanagan
mid-division, headway 4 out, travelled well and led before 2 out, pushed along approaching last and kept on well run-in
- Form 71/0408-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe
rear of mid-division, dropped to rear before 6th, soon detached and pulled up before 8th
The Long Mile
252- Form 701211-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer J P Dempsey
- Jockey L P Dempsey
mid-division, some headway when mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra when fell next
Pont Aven (IRE)
296- Form 132PUP-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J McInerney
soon led, slight mistake 2nd, clear after 4th and slight mistake next, reduced advantage when slight mistake 8th, mistake 4 out and headed, no extra after next, weakened
- Form 3F42U-5
- Age 7
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 128
badly hampered 1st and dropped to rear, never a factor, pushed along and detached after 5 out, no extra, pulled up before 2 out
- Form PFP-643
- Age 7
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Phillip Enright
always towards rear, never a factor, no extra after 4 out, pulled up before last
- Form 20078-2
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey C P McNamara
always towards rear, reminders after 6th and slow 8th, pushed along and no impression before 4 out, weakened
- Form 521P0P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Simon Torrens
chased clear leader, closer in 4th halfway, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, soon no extra
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins has seven entered here with Paul Townend choosing TORNADO FLYER (NAP), who has won first-time-out in the three seasons he's raced and performed with credit behind Faugheen and Samcro in Grade 1's the last twice. He was on board for the latest three victories of Salsaretta last winter so it must have been a difficult choice. Gordon Elliott has three engaged with Gavin Brouder booked to use his 7lb claim on Farclas, unbeaten in three starts over fences in novice company and making his handicap debut. Visioman arrives on a hat-trick but a 6lb rise for his Limerick victory makes this tougher while Zero Ten had plenty of good fortune when landing a Thurles Grade 3 though will be ready after a recent run on the Flat. The Long Mile landed a similar race to this at Gowran in March though Mark Walsh is on board Castle Oliver for J P McManus.
Formwatch
Bapaume (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, ridden and weakened last, 8th of 12, 25l behind Samcro (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up behind, driven and outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure flat, never nearer, 5th of 12, 9l behind Samcro (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Salsaretta (FR) 2-5fav (11-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute lead 8th and led briefly next, headed after 4 out, 2 lengths down when left in front after 2 out, kept on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 7f (1) hvy in Mar beating Ask Mary (11-0) by 11l, 8 ran.
Castlebawn West (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 12th, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 14th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten before home turn, 5th and well held when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Zero Ten (IRE) 11-8fav (9-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden into 7th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 8 1/2l behind Persian Queen (9-2) at Naas 1m 2f mdn hvy in Nov.
Farclas (FR) 1-3fav (11-8) Soon led, joined from 4th and headed after next, dropped to 3rd from 4 out, pushed along and good progress to lead from 2 out, ridden and pressed from last, kept on well closing stages, won at Roscommon 2m gd in Jun beating Stormey (11-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Visioman (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd entering straight, closed on leader 2 out, disputed before last, narrow lead last, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f sft in Oct beating Djingle (11-12) by 4l, 4 ran.
Voix Des Tiep (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Led early, remained prominent on outer and led 4 out, joined when sprawled badly on landing 3 out, not recover and pulled up before next, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
Dunvegan (FR) 9-5fav (10-2) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Arcadian Sunrise (10-2) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Daly Tiger (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chasing leaders 2 out, weakened before last, 9th of 20, 22 1/2l behind Imperial Aura (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Press Conference (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, no extra after 3 out, 8th of 15, dist behind Spyglass Hill (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Feb.
The Long Mile 5-2fav (11-0) Slightly impeded start and waited with, 6th from 4th, headway approaching straight and challenged 2 out, slight mistake last, led run-in and stayed on best, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Diamond Turf (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Pont Aven (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Led and disputed, mistake and headed 13th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Tintangle (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders early, slow 2nd, moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Western Victory (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Demain Des L'Aube (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out, ridden and jumped right next, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 23 1/2l behind Line Out (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp sft in Sep.
Spades Are Trumps (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) In rear, 9th after 5th, effort after 3 out, progress to 2nd 2 out, no impression on leader before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Scoir Mear (11-5) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Stones And Roses (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Mid-division on outer, jinked briefly before 1st, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Castle Oliver (IRE) 11-4fav (10-3) Mid-division on inner, ridden in 6th before 2 out, no impression, 8th of 14, dist behind Cap York (10-7) at Naas 3m hcp sft in Mar.