Racecards
18:30 Punchestown (IRE)
ITM - Supporting Irish Store Sales Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 70y
- Going: Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €60,000
- 2nd: €20,000
- 3rd: €10,000
- 4th: €5,000
- Form 14
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Trainer M Halford
- Jockey Mr J J Codd
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4f out, no extra entering straight
- Form 117-
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey Mr T Hamilton
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 6f out, challenged 4f out, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 2-112
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr D O'Connor
held up, closer in chasing group 6f out, narrow lead 4 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, kept on strongly to assert final furlong
- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 12-2
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey Mr B G Crawford
held up towards rear, progress 4f out, ridden into 3rd under 3f out, under pressure 2f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
- Form 1/4-158
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr B O'Neill
chased clear leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 6f out, challenged over 4f out, ridden in 3rd 3f out, soon no extra
- Form 1-111
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer 6f out, challenged on outer 4f out, ridden in 2nd over 2f out, no extra 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong and kept on one pace
- Form 8-14
- Age 6
- Weight 12-2
- Trainer J J Lambe
- Jockey Mr D G Lavery
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 3f out, kept on one pace straight
- Form R
- Age 4
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P G Fahey
- Jockey Mr A P Fahey
led and soon clear, reduced advantage 6f out, ridden and headed 4 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Patrick Mullins has chosen Sir Gerhard over KILCRUIT, the former landing the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham from his rival under a brilliant Rachael Blackmore ride. Both are high-class performers and the selection's victory at Leopardstown earlier looked the best bumper run of the season. Derek O'Connor has been booked and can steer him home in what should be a fascinating tactical battle. Eric Bloodaxe beat the top-class Ferny Hollow on his debut in December 2019 but hasn't been seen since finishing lame at Leopardstown last February. O'toole won a Fairyhouse bumper by 15 lengths but faces very much stronger rivals here. Lake Winnipesaukee ran an extraordinary race at Leopardstown, pulling his way to the front despite a slipped saddle and a long way clear when running out turning for home.
Formwatch
Ardla (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Close up, 3rd halfway, improved to 2nd 6f out, 4th 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, no impression, one paced final furlong, 4th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Weseekhimhere (11-12) at Listowel 2m sft in Sep.
Eric Bloodaxe (IRE) 11-4 (11-13) Tracked leaders, 4th at halfway, ridden in moderate 7th 3f out, weakened, 7th of 8, 29 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Kilcruit (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, stayed on well in closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sir Gerhard (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
O'Toole (IRE) 25-1 (12-1) Bumped slightly start, prominent, soon 2nd, 3rd approaching straight, soon pushed along, led from 2f out, soon asserted and stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Feb beating Little Big Rocky (12-2) by 15l, 10 ran.
Ramillies (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, pushed along entering home straight, edging left and no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 16l behind Sir Gerhard (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 85-40 (11-5) Shade keen, made all, set steady pace, quickened and went clear entering home straight, reduced lead and edged right inside final furlong, always doing enough, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar beating Kilcruit (11-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sundrenched (IRE) 25-1 (11-13) Mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear 4f out, switched left and went 4th on outer 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind Letsbeclearaboutit (12-2) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Apr.
Lake Winnipesaukee (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear and ran freely, swift progress to lead after 4f, soon clear, still clear when took wrong course 2 1/2f out, at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Mar.