Racecards
18:35 Punchestown (IRE)
Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 60y
- Going: Yielding to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €124,999 added
- Winner: €75,000
- 2nd: €25,000
- 3rd: €12,500
- 4th: €6,250
- Form 6-11343
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd at 10th, ridden in 2nd 2 out, edged left after last, kept on same pace inside final furlong
- Form 121PD-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
held up in touch in 5th, 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders
- Form 123412
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer E Mullins
- Jockey Donagh Meyler
led, headed 3rd, regained lead 6th and made rest, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in
- Form 92/1664
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D A Jacob
held up in last, left 5th at 12th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, kept on without threatening leaders
- Form F7-F121
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 9th and mistake next, soon dropped to 3rd, fell at 12th
- Form 113-192
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd and not fluent next, 4th 4 out, ridden and dropped to last next, weakened, trailing when pulled up before last
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Sir Gerhard put a poor run in the Browns Advisory at Cheltenham behind him to be beaten half-a-length by Flame Bearer in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 earlier this month. He had Appreciate It around four lengths back in third and James Du Berlais a further 22 lengths behind though that was over 2m4f and he's yet to prove he stays this far. Classic Getaway made a convincing chasing bow at Gowran, beating the useful Minella Cocooner, and is certain to make progress while winning point-to-pointer and hurdler Feronily ran in a Cork Grade 3 on his chasing bow, finishing second to the smart Bouchasson, though he'll need improvement to figure here. JOURNEY WITH ME made all for a battling victory in a 2m4f Naas Grade 3 and should be better suited by this longer trip. He looks to have been saved for this and gets the nod.
Formwatch
Appreciate It (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, hampered 10th and left 4th, closer 5 out, pushed along and jumped left 3 out, 3rd 2 out and soon ridden, no impression run-in, 3rd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Flame Bearer (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Classic Getaway (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close 3rd when slight mistake 3 out, went 2nd before next, pushed along to challenge before last, led last, ridden and kept on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Minella Cocooner (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Feronily (IRE) 7-4 (10-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 10th, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd briefly run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd again close home, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Bachasson (11-0) at Cork 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
James Du Berlais (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 6 out, disputed lead briefly 4 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra approaching last, weakened, 4th of 8, 22 3/4l behind Flame Bearer (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Journey With Me (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Led, slightly slow 1st, joined before 3rd, led again after 5th, slightly slow 5 out, ridden and pressed 2 out, kept on well run-in and asserted closing stages, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar beating Limerick Lace (10-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd after 10th, closer 5 out and went 2nd 3 out, challenged next and soon pushed along, ridden and kept on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Flame Bearer (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Apr.