Racecards
13:35 Punchestown (IRE)
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- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €20,000 added
- Winner: €13,000
- 2nd: €3,800
- 3rd: €1,800
- 4th: €600
- Form 1203-14
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th 3 out and no extra approaching straight
- Form 1/213-12
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd entering straight, no extra before last and weakened
- Form 1F13-F1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey D N Russell
tracked leader, 2nd before halfway and led approaching 4 out, asserted early straight and stayed on well, comfortably
- Form 222336-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
chased leaders in 5th, ridden along in rear 4 out, no extra and weakened
- Form 621222/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 164
settled in rear, headway before 3 out and went 3rd approaching 2 out, 2nd and soon ridden entering straight, no impression on winner and kept on same pace
- Form 912F5-2
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 120
led, headed before 4 out and soon ridden, no extra in 4th 2 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
This has produced an incredible turnout for the money and includes the return to action of the brilliant Solwhit, whose last 12 runs were in Grade 1 company, a level at which he has won six times. Narrowly beaten by Hurricane Fly three times in succession when last seen at the turn of the 2010/2011 season, he has the race conditions in his favour though is up against high-class and race-fit rivals. Dual Royal Ascot winner Simenon blotted his copybook on heavy ground here last month and is on a retrieval mission while Staying Article made too many mistakes when beaten at long odds-on by Midnight Game at Fairyhouse. Top-class novice chaser BOG WARRIOR reverted to hurdles in a handicap at Fairyhouse and could hardly have been more impressive, carrying a huge weight to an easy victory. With fitness and form on his side he's taken to see off these rivals who also include the Grade 2 winners Donnas Palm and Fully Funded.
Formwatch
Simenon (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden in 4th after 2 out, no impression entering straight, mistake last and weakened, 4th of 6, 33l behind Un Beau Matin (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov.
Staying Article (IRE) 4-9fav (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Midnight Game (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft.
Bog Warrior (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, asserted before 2 out, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft beating Wise Oscar (10-5) by 8l, 18 ran.
Fully Funded (USA) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, niggled along after 6th, dropped towards rear 5 out, 6th before straight, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 35l behind Mourad (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Solwhit (FR) 3-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden to challenge entering straight, 2nd before last where slight mistake, kept on under pressure, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan '11.
Belle Brook (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Led, ridden approaching straight, soon headed and no impression in 4th when left 2nd after last, kept on under pressure run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Like Your Style (10-3) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in May.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, moderate 14th 3 out (usual 4 out), kept on one paced straight, 8th of 20, 41l behind Tofino Bay (11-4) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 hvy in Nov.