Racecards
15:40 Thurles (IRE)
Markaye Contracts Ltd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 146y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €30,000 added
- Winner: €18,000
- 2nd: €6,000
- 3rd: €3,000
- 4th: €1,499
- Form 073331
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer J P Ryan
- Jockey Liam Quinlan
towards rear, headway into 4th after 5 out, pushed along and dropped towards rear 2 out, no impression approaching last, no extra
- Form 28-1F1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer E Sheehy
- Jockey K C Sexton
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, closer in 3rd before halfway, travelled well to challenge 2 out and disputed lead briefly before last, ridden and no impression run-in, dropped to 3rd inside final 100 yards
Ferdia (IRE)
14- Form 383753
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J P Ryan
- Jockey Philip Donovan
led and clear early, 2 lengths lead halfway, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon dropped towards rear and no extra before last
Berkshire Royal
286- Form 0/1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
mid-division, closer in 4th before halfway, close 5th travelling well before 2 out, 3rd and pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on into 2nd final 100 yards
- Form 1-17
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer O McKiernan
- Jockey B Browne
held up towards rear, closer before 4th, 5th halfway, close up on outer 2 out, 4th and pushed along approaching last, ridden and no extra run-in
- Form 3-7144
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Jordan Gainford
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead 2 out, pushed along and joined briefly before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins would have had plenty of options for this so the presence of the Kilbeggan maiden winner Berkshire Royal suggests better is expected though he faces a much stiffer test. Gatsby Grey won a Limerick maiden on heavy ground before finishing tailed off in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago. The Little Yank had come up against strong opposition before beating the odds-on Ash Tree Meadow over the course and distance though has to carry an extra penalty. CAPTAIN CONBY (NAP) may well have been unbeaten over timber but for falling two out at Punchestown and looked one to follow when cantering all over his rivals on a return visit so he looks the one to beat.
Formwatch
The Little Yank (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up in rear, progress 3 out, narrow lead entering straight, ridden 2 out, asserted approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f Yielding in Feb beating Ash Tree Meadow (11-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
Captain Conby (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, 5th halfway, headway on outer after 3 out, led travelling well early straight, asserted early run-in, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Yielding in Jan beating Bois De Clamart (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ferdia (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led, joined before 2nd, headed before 4th, ridden 3 out, no impression in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 26l behind The Little Yank (11-4) at Thurles 2m 4f Yielding in Feb.
Berkshire Royal 5-2 (11-6) Disputed lead, pulled hard, led from 3rd and made rest, hung to outer, went clear travelling well after 2 out, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in May beating Homme D'Un Soir (11-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Gatsby Grey (FR) 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th before 3rd, 6th 2 out (normal 3 out), soon dropped to 7th, weakened and eased approaching straight, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Sir Gerhard (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Feb.
The Goffer (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Gerri Colombe (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f Good - Yielding in Jan.