Racecards
17:20 Punchestown (IRE)
Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 180y
- Going: Good to Yielding (Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €125,000 added
- Winner: €75,000
- 2nd: €25,000
- 3rd: €12,500
- 4th: €6,250
- Form 113113
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey Brian Hayes
prominent when fell at 2nd
Bronn (IRE)
24- Form 1-1521
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D A Jacob
towards rear, closer in 7th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, kept on one pace
- Form 1-211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer P Nolan
- Jockey Sean O'Keeffe
tracked leaders, mistake at 6th and dropped to mid-division next, ridden in 9th 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last
- Form 316119
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey K C Sexton
always behind, hampered at 2nd, no impression from 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form 1-11333
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
towards rear, progress on outer into 6th 3 out, ridden next, no impression
- Form 11-11F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
mid-division on outer, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 158-312
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer O McKiernan
- Jockey B Browne
tracked leaders, hampered at 2nd, ridden in 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
- Form 2-12112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
led, jumped left, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, rallied and stayed on well run-in
- Form 1-11212
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jack Kennedy
tracked leaders, slightly hampered at 2nd, ridden in 2nd 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
- Form 586-316
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B J Cooper
rear of mid-division, dropped to rear and briefly pushed along at 9th, ridden after 3 out, no impression
- Form 1111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
tracked leaders, improved into 2nd travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The Nice Guy jumped stickily in the early stages in the Albert Bartlett over this trip at Cheltenham but soon warmed to his task and had plenty in hand of stablemate Minella Cocooner and Bardenstown Lad at the finish with Ramillies and Good Time Jonny well beaten. The runner-up had almost three lengths to spare over Minella Crooner at Leopardstown earlier having won easily over this course and distance in January when Hollow Games was a close third. Bronn is improving and takes on better company but the vote goes to JOURNEY WITH ME, who beat Minella Crooner three lengths at Leopardstown in December and was just on the retreat when falling at the last in the Ballymore at Cheltenham won by Sir Gerhard.
Formwatch
Bardenstown Lad 20-1 (11-8) Prominent, lost ground 5th, in rear of midfield 6th, towards rear 8th, some headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, progress into distant 3rd before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 16, 9 1/4l behind The Nice Guy (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Bronn (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, closer when left 2nd and hampered 3 out, soon 3rd, ridden and headway to lead narrowly before last where bumped by rival, under pressure and kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Churchstonewarrior (11-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Daily Present (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Disputed lead, headed 6th, improved to lead when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, joined before last, led again at last, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 2m 6f hvy in Mar beating Bronn (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Good Time Jonny (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, awkward 5th, steady headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon one pace, 9th of 16, dist behind The Nice Guy (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Hollow Games (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up in mid-division on outside, headway when hampered before 3 out, hung left approaching last, 3rd last, stayed on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 23, 3 3/4l behind Banbridge (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Journey With Me (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 3rd, led after next, ridden and headed off final bend, just lost 2nd and fading when fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Meet And Greet (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, not fluent next and soon pushed along, ridden and no impression after 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd final 50 yards, no threat to winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Flame Bearer (11-4) at Naas 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb.
Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, close up 5th, pressed leader 6th, led before 7th, blundered 8th, joined 2 out, switched to near rail and narrow advantage last, headed soon after no extra flat, 2nd of 16, 5l behind The Nice Guy (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Minella Crooner (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, closer 2 out where mistake, 5th and pushed along entering straight, went 3rd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Minella Cocooner (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 6f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Ramillies (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, smooth progress on outside 4 out, switched right and ridden to chase leaders before last, weakened flat, 6th of 16, 20 1/4l behind The Nice Guy (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
The Nice Guy (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Held up in rear of midfield, progress between horses 4 out, travelled strongly to press leader before last, led flat, stayed on strongly to pull clear flat, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar beating Minella Cocooner (11-8) by 5l, 16 ran.