Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle

2.50 Punchestown
Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €26,005

Pick: Gagewell Flyer (win)

Gagewell Flyer: Has been excellent on both starts this season, winning with ease at Navan before coming home clear in the Slaney Novice Hurdle last time; Turning into a very useful horse and likely to take the beating here.

Beyerley Bear: Improved for switch of yards when battling hard to take bumper and then creating a good impression on his hurdling debut at same venue; Should have more to come and no surprise if he’s up to the grade.

Earlson Gray: This actually his Irish debut, having made a fairly useful hurdler/chaser in France before losing his form very badly over the past season and a half; Not to be written off although he’s second string on jockey bookings.

Seafield: Showed plenty of promise in bumpers and readily built on that when grinding down useful Datokepe, showing immense promise on his hurdling debut; Trip was too short (half brother to Joncol) and organised himself remarkably well over hurdles for a horse that’s 17 hands; Proved extremely disappointing last time out but worth more time.

Tornedo Shay: Proved very successful in bumpers, winning three times as well as coming second to Hidden Universe in the Punchestown Champion Bumper; Fairly bolted in on hurdling debut but disappointingly beaten under penalty last time.

Big Game Hunter: Only scraped home on debut (demoted then reinstated on appeal) and not bettered that form since apart from a close third behind Rick and Grade 1 winner Blackstairmountain last time; Has a hard task on here but booking of Barry Geraghty positive at least.

Joe Smooth: Improved massively for switch to hurdles, coming second behind Hidden Universe at Leopardstown before showing the merit of that run when bolting in last time; Not totally discounted off handy racing weight.

VERDICT: A intriguing race with plenty of useful form if you look closely enough. GAGEWELL FLYER is the obvious choice to follow up his win in the Slaney Hurdle although if a penalty gets him then Beyerley Bear, Joe Smooth and especially Seafield if back to his best are all valid choices to take advantage.