15:20
William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle
2m7½f, Hurdle, 4yo+, €9,000, 18 runners
Winning time 5m 52.00s
- Going
- Good
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Milan Forth gets the nod in this 18-runner staying contest at Punchestown, sharing the top rating of 127 with Slane Hill but preferred for a progressive profile that suggests there is still more to come. Slane Hill is the chief danger on level terms, while Donnie Devito, four pounds back on 123, and Getaway Charlie, nine pounds adrift, also have to be respected in such a big field. Over this marathon trip on good ground, Milan Forth's upward trajectory can edge it, and he is our selection.
Result
Ethan O'Sullivan (7)
Peter Fahey
Raced in the pack and moved smoothly - blundered at the 2nd - up to 3rd by halfway - challenged for the front before 2 out - pushed on after 2 out - drew clear before the last and won comfortably
Phillip Enright
Oliver McKiernan
central of the pack - 8th at halfway - urged before 2 out then left behind after the second last - kept on up the run-in to finish 2nd
Conor Clarke (7)
P J Rothwell
Towards the back of the pack early - 13th at halfway - blundered 7th - improved after 3 out - nudged before 2 out - kept on strongly from the last to snatch 3rd near the finish
Shane O'Callaghan (3)
Ross O'Sullivan
Prominent early - mid-division at halfway - progressed to challenge for control before 2 out - scrappy jumping 2 out then under urging - error at the last - faded on run-in to finish 4th
Miss N Lockhead Anderson (7)
S Curling
up with the pace early - jumping errors at 2nd and 5th - sat fourth at the midway point - challenged for command before 2 out - passed by rival 2 out then urged again - folded when asked before the last - finished 5th
Sean Cleary-Farrell (7)
Thomas Mullins
Held up at the back and keen early - made ground after 3 out - under urging before 2 out - faded before the last and nothing left - finished 6th
Mr D Doyle (5)
Timothy Doyle
Settled at the back early - labouring in 6th - shaken up after 2 out then gained ground before the last - stayed on without threatening to finish 7th
Daniel King
Mrs Denise Foster
up with the pace early - shaken up after 3 out - clumsy 2 out and under pressure soon after - sluggish jumping the last - well beaten in 8th
Jordan Gainford
E D Delany
Raced in the middle of the pack - jumping lacked rhythm by the 8th - under urging before 2 out - dropped away after 2 out and never a threat - finished 9th
Jack Kennedy
Patrick T Foley
in the pack - improved to 5th before 2 out - ridden after 2 out and faded before the last - finished 10th a long way behind
Sarah Kavanagh (7)
Edward F Power
Raced in the pack - ran out of steam after 3 out - well adrift at the finish
Donagh Meyler
Emmet Mullins
Set the pace early - overtaken after 2nd - errors at 6th and 8th - under pressure and folded tamely after 3 out - well detached at the finish in 12th
Kevin Healy (7)
Simon Cavanagh
covered ground in the pack without rhythm around halfway - under urging before 3 out - folded tamely when asked after 2 out - finished 13th and a long way behind
Sean Flanagan
Barry Connell
Always at the back of the field - detached from halfway - finished 14th and miles behind
Darragh O'Keeffe
Henry de Bromhead
Prominent early behind the pacesetter - took over after the 2nd - jumped scruffily 8th - collapsed tamely before 2 out when passed - urged after 2 out then eased and pulled up before the last
Danny Gilligan
Paul John Gilligan
Raced in the pack's middle - jumped awkwardly 3 out and under urging after - faded before 2 out - pulled up before the last
Sam Ewing
Noel Meade
In the last group early - niggled for a short spell after the 5th then urged on before the 8th - tailed off well adrift before 4 out - stopped after 3 out
Alex Harvey
John McConnell
raced in the pack early - struggled for pace after 6th and slid to the back - pulled up after 4 out
Racecard
Shane O'Callaghan (3)
Ross O'Sullivan 0/14
Donnie Devito arrives with a solid profile: a second and two thirds in his last five starts, plus experience over today's trip and going, and our rating of 123 ranks him third of 18. The main risk is a 50-day absence and a 166 lb burden after finishing fifth last time out.
- Sire
- Sholokhov (IRE)
- Dam
- Pacific Pearl (IRE) by Westerner
- Owner
- T J Ward
- Foaled
- 10 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Kilcullen, Co Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 14 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 45%
- Ratings
- Perf 123
Kevin Healy (7)
Simon Cavanagh 0/2
Fresh from a second last time out just 15 days ago, Milan Forth has also run over today's trip and going before, and he's a solid pick on that profile, though he's yet to win in his last six and shoulders 165 lb here.
- Sire
- Milan (GB)
- Dam
- Shuil Forth (IRE) by Flemensfirth
- Owner
- Patrick J Whyte
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2019
- Stable
- Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 2 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 21%
- Ratings
- Perf 127
Sean Flanagan
Barry Connell 1/2
Quick back-up after a seventh last time out, Slane Hill has run over today's trip and going, and our rating of 127 tops the field of 18, with a 119 official mark to work from. The risk is a winless run in recent starts and 165 lb to carry.
- Sire
- Shantou (USA)
- Dam
- Slaney Lady (IRE) by King's Theatre
- Owner
- Barry Connell
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2017
- Stable
- Nurney, Co. Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 2 runs (50%)
- Trainer running to form
- 58%
- Ratings
- Perf 127
Jack Kennedy
Patrick T Foley 1/12
Fourth last time out just 11 days ago keeps Arctic Flame fit, and she has run on today's going before, but a pulled up two starts back and a sixth three starts back temper things. Carrying 161 lb off 115, she looks a solid midfield sort, with our rating of 117 just above her mark.
- Sire
- Walk In The Park (IRE)
- Dam
- Arctic Lady (GER) by Soldier Hollow
- Owner
- Miss S Foley
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 12 runs (8%)
- Trainer running to form
- 46%
- Ratings
- Perf 117
Danny Gilligan
Paul John Gilligan 0/5
Killowen House was seventh last time out but has a second two starts back and a third four starts back to lean on, and he has run over today's trip and going. Yet to win in his last six, he carries 158 lb off a mark of 112, which looks a stiff task.
- Sire
- Yeats (IRE)
- Dam
- The Last Bank (IRE) by Phardante
- Owner
- Patrick J Moore
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Athenry, Co Galway
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 5 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 33%
- Ratings
- Perf 113
Sam Ewing
Noel Meade 1/30
Golden Temple has been below his best lately, an eighth last time out and pulled up two starts back, though he did win four starts back and was second three starts back. He has run on today's going and is back after 18 days, but a cold yard (1/31) and 156 lb temper the case.
- Sire
- Galileo Gold (GB)
- Dam
- Miss Sally (IRE) by Danetime
- Owner
- The Spice Of Life Partnership
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Castletown, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 30 runs (3%)
- Trainer running to form
- 40%
- Ratings
- Perf 111
Alex Harvey
John McConnell 1/32
Howdoyalikeherhome has run over today's trip and on this going, and back-to-back fourths two and three starts back show some ability. However, he was pulled up last time out, is yet to win in his last six, and the yard is out of form at 1/32. Our rating of 116 ranks him sixth of 18.
- Sire
- Champs Elysees (GB)
- Dam
- Thedoublede (IRE) by Deploy
- Owner
- Claire Wylie & Mark McGuckin
- Foaled
- 12 Apr 2019
- Stable
- Stamullen, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 32 runs (3%)
- Trainer running to form
- 24%
- Ratings
- Perf 116
Mr D Doyle (5)
Timothy Doyle 0/8
Getaway Charlie is fit after just 11 days and a winner two starts back, having also run over today's trip and on this going, while our rating of 118 puts him fourth of 18. The risk is his 153 lb burden, with last time's fifth showing he is not firing every time.
- Sire
- Getaway (GER)
- Dam
- Chermesina (IRE) by Be My Native
- Owner
- Mrs Claire Doyle
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2016
- Stable
- Moyne, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 8 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 37%
- Ratings
- Perf 118
Donagh Meyler
Emmet Mullins 1/10
Labondance is winless in her last five, with a fourth last time out and another fourth two starts back, yet a fall three starts ago and an eighth five back show the inconsistency. She has run on today's going and is fresh enough after 23 days, but 151 lb off 105 is a big ask, and our rating of 96 ranks her last of 18.
- Sire
- Bande (IRE)
- Dam
- Bise De Mer (FR) by Vendangeur
- Owner
- Donal Oconnor
- Foaled
- 14 May 2021
- Stable
- Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 10 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 26%
- Ratings
- Perf 96
Darragh O'Keeffe
Henry de Bromhead 5/44
Latopix was a fourth last time out after being pulled up two starts back, and she showed more with seconds three and four starts back, though she's yet to win in her last five. She has run on today's going and returns after 24 days, but 150 lb leaves her plenty to do, with our rating of 106 ranking her 11th of 18.
- Sire
- Beaumec De Houelle (FR)
- Dam
- Manitopix (FR) by Policy Maker
- Owner
- J Allday
- Foaled
- 21 Jan 2021
- Stable
- Knockeen, Co Waterford
- Trainer last 14 days
- 5 wins from 44 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 56%
- Ratings
- Perf 106
Jordan Gainford
E D Delany 0/1
Ranked 13 of 18 on our figures, Accustomed is hard to fancy after a seventh last time out, and a pulled up and an unplaced run sit in his last five. He did win two starts back, has run over today's trip and going, and 148 lb off an official 102 is no gift.
- Sire
- Shirocco (GER)
- Dam
- Solita (IRE) by King's Theatre
- Owner
- Leonard Kinsella
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Laytown, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 1 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 60%
- Ratings
- Perf 103
Miss N Lockhead Anderson (7)
S Curling 2/7
Lord Ffrench is winless in his last five, with a seventh last time out and a fourth two starts back the best of his recent efforts, though he has run on today's going and returns after just 18 days. Carrying 148 lb off an official mark of 102, he looks held by the weight, though our rating of 108 puts him mid-pack.
- Sire
- Harzand (IRE)
- Dam
- Cockney Wren (GB) by Cockney Rebel
- Owner
- Mark Byrne
- Foaled
- 2 Jun 2020
- Stable
- Cashel, Co. Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 2 wins from 7 runs (29%)
- Trainer running to form
- 60%
- Ratings
- Perf 108
Phillip Enright
Oliver McKiernan 0/7
Winner last time out, he has run over today's trip and on this going, but that came after a pulled up and a ninth in the two runs before it, and 147 lb is a hefty burden off 40 days away. Our rating of 105 ranks him 12th of 18.
- Sire
- Waldpark (GER)
- Dam
- Ashkelon (GER) by Peintre Celebre
- Owner
- Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2019
- Stable
- Rathcoole, Co Dublin
- Trainer last 14 days
- 0 wins from 7 runs (0%)
- Trainer running to form
- 21%
- Ratings
- Perf 105
Daniel King
Mrs Denise Foster 1/2
Smackwater Jack won last time out and has twice scored in his last six starts, but two ninth-place finishes before that make him hard to trust, and our rating ranks him only 15th of 18. Back quickly after eight days, he has run over today's trip and going, and 145 lb is a hefty burden.
- Sire
- Flemensfirth (USA)
- Dam
- Malachy's Attic (IRE) by Old Vic
- Owner
- Jules Sigler
- Foaled
- 2 Jun 2014
- Stable
- Longwood, Co Meath
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 2 runs (50%)
- Trainer running to form
- 45%
- Ratings
- Perf 101
Conor Clarke (7)
P J Rothwell 1/29
Winless in his last five, Pilgrims Walk has been slipping back since finishing second three starts ago, with a third and then a fourth latest, and he has run over today's trip and going, but a 32-day break, 142 lb and a yard managing just 1/33 lately make him hard to fancy, with our figures ranking him 14th of 18.
- Sire
- Jukebox Jury (IRE)
- Dam
- Lendon Lady (IRE) by Oscar
- Owner
- Martin A Doyle
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2022
- Stable
- Tinahely, Co Wicklow
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 29 runs (3%)
- Trainer running to form
- 41%
- Ratings
- Perf 102
Sarah Kavanagh (7)
Edward F Power 1/5
Free Flow is winless in his last five, finishing eighth last time out and unplaced two starts back, so he is hard to fancy. He is back quickly after 11 days, has run on today's going before and our rating of 100 ranks him 16th of 18 under 140 lb.
- Sire
- Flintshire (GB)
- Dam
- Lone Tigress (USA) by Tale Of The Cat
- Owner
- Edward F Power
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2020
- Stable
- Ballycahill, Thurles
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 5 runs (20%)
- Trainer running to form
- 30%
- Ratings
- Perf 100
Ethan O'Sullivan (7)
Peter Fahey 1/1
Live To Laugh bounced back to form with a third last time out, and he has won twice in his last five starts, though a pulled up two starts back is a blot. He has run over today's trip and going, but 140 lb is a hefty burden.
- Sire
- Califet (FR)
- Dam
- Mrs Flemming (IRE) by Flemensfirth
- Owner
- Jimmy Whittle/Michael McEvoy/Good For A Laugh Syndicate/Anthony Callan
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2019
- Stable
- MonasterevIn, Co. Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 1 runs (100%)
- Trainer running to form
- 30%
- Ratings
- Perf 107
Sean Cleary-Farrell (7)
Thomas Mullins 2/9
Space Warrior has finished sixth, ninth, ninth, third and sixth in his last five starts, so he is yet to win in that spell and has only the one top-three finish to lean on. He has run on today's going and is fit after 11 days off, but 140 lb is a big ask and our figures rank him 17th of 18.
- Sire
- Belardo (IRE)
- Dam
- Surface Of Earth (USA) by Empire Maker
- Owner
- Mrs Helen Mullins M J Lomax
- Foaled
- 4 Feb 2021
- Stable
- Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 2 wins from 9 runs (22%)
- Trainer running to form
- 48%
- Ratings
- Perf 99
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.