Don't know if all of these will turn up (only did 12 /15 runners on the RP racecard) but if they have prices for everything, I might as well assume that they won't turn up.
4.20 Punchestown
Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €52,700
Picks: General Miller (win), Loosen My Load (e/w)
Baron D’e L: Made a good start to novice hurdling with two wins but instant he stepped up in class he was well beaten in Navan Grade 3; Also well ebaten on all starts since, so hard task on here.
Blackstairmountain: Made a very promising hurdles debut and maybe just suffered for lack of experience when weakening in the straight in the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle; Looked as if he was set to win Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time but folded badly in closing stages in receipt of weight from Luska Lad; Should like better ground but something to prove in light of that effort.
Flat Out: Became very progressive in bumpers and hacked up on his hurdling debut; Ran an excellent race in light of his inexperience in the Supreme last time and will have chance having learned from that, although this is no easier.
General Miller: Trotted up on his two bumper wins last season, and continued where he left off when getting the better of Ghizao in the last 75 yards of the novice hurdle last time; That rival has dotted up in lesser company since, so form looks pretty solid; Didn’t stay when second to Restless Harry over 2m4f and fell at the first in the Supreme(Both races didn’t show his true ability); Put up a great effort to catch Menorah last time and has to be respected on that basis.
Grey Soldier: Had 2 starts and probably put his best hurdling effort up when second to Rite Of Passage; Hugely disappointing in light of that form when pulling up in the Dovecote last time out and fair bit to prove in that light.
Loosen My Load: Only been beaten once in about 6 starts, that coming over fences; His last run was when beating Some Present at Cheltenham in November; Had a long break since and found ground way too heavy when fourth last time but entitled to do better here on better ground, having supposedly improved for the run.
Rollwiththepunches: Put in a good effort last time when beaten 13 lengths by impressive next time out winner Captain Chris; Better than bare form of that because he was eased at the end, but still has ground to make up.
Some Slam: Didn’t progress as expected twice in 3 bumper runs and was 10 lengths behind Grey Solider when fourth on his hurdling debut; Won in good style last time but doesn’t look like the most consistent of horses.
Sweeps Hill: Made hard work of it on debut and showed most promise, on his second run; Showed a lot of speed when dispatching Some Present but has disappointed on his last 2 runs in Grade 1 races; Strictly on the form book, has a lot of ground to make up but interesting to see support for him in recent days.
Tilabay: Taken a very long time to get the hang of things before landing decent prize last time out but this is a major, major step up.
VERDICT: It’s been interesting to see Sweeps Hill priced at just 6/1 following his Grade 1 blowouts on his last 2 runs, and Flat Out can be expected to run a big race following his excellent fifth in the Supreme, but based on his win in the Top Novice’s Hurdle last time, GENERAL MILLER would have ran a big race there and can be expected to go close here given his trainer’s good record here. For an e/w bet, LOOSEN MY LOAD appeals at 8/1 seeing as his run last time should have brought him along nicely and the ground now will suit him much better.
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