Racecards
14:15 Punchestown (IRE)
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- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €20,000 added
- Winner: €13,000
- 2nd: €3,799
- 3rd: €1,799
- 4th: €600
- Form 3P21-21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer D T Hughes
- Jockey B J Cooper
held up last of trio, slightly untidy 5th, soon niggled along briefly, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden entering straight, under pressure before last where slight mistake, kept on to challenge run-in and led closing stages
- Form 461-126
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led, travelled well entering straight, slight mistake last and ridden, soon challenged, headed closing stages and no extra
- Form 515214
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey M J Bolger
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistakes 1st and 4 out, pushed along and dropped to 3rd 3 out, no impression next, weakened and tailed off
In depth
Verdict
After pulling up on testing ground in a Group 2 at Naas in January, CAPTAIN ARCEUS has been in superb form on much quicker going and is nor 11lb higher than today's two rivals as a consequence so is well in at the weights. A small field and unseasonaly fast ground make this a tricky affair, however, and tactics will play a big part. Un Beau Roman was put in his place in a Grade 3 at Tipperary after a fine run behind Curley Bill at Listowel and he won't mind the conditions, nor will Bob Le Beau, and though he was a long way behind in that Listowel event the going was too soft for him and he's since win very easily at Down Royal.
Formwatch
Captain Arceus (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Waited with, progress to track leaders 3 out, led before next, clear straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Galway 2m 4f hdl gf in Sep beating Now This Is It (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Soon led and clear, keen hold, reduced advantage after 4th, slight mistake next, headed 2 out, dropped to 4th and no extra from before last, 6th of 8, 10l behind King of The Picts (10-11) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Bob Le Beau (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd and struggling from 3 out, soon under pressure in 4th and no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 39l behind Curley Bill (11-8) at Listowel 2m hdl in Sep.