5.30 Punchestown
Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €99,200
Pick: Quevega (win)
Carlito Brigante: Has continued steady progression he showed
as a 4 year old from last season by winning valuable Haydock event and then
making light work of a mark of 142 when left clear at last in Coral Cup;
Confirmed merit of that when travelling well in Liverpool Hurdle, but tried rapidly
after hitting third last and stamina doubts again.
Luska Lad: Really made hay last season, winning 5 races over
hurdles, 3 of them being Grade 2 events (all strong form); Continued in largely
same form this season, career best when chasing home Hurricane Fly at
Christmas; Should give it bold bid but this trip possibly bit far for him.
Mikael D’Haugenet: Developed really well over hurdles in
2008/9, winning all six starts after being brought over from France, including
Grade 1s at Navan, and Punchestown, before he was injured; Not taken to fences
at all this season and best watched until next season.
Mourad: Ever consistent and never out of the first 4 last
season, running third in last year’s renewal of this; Has shown improved for
this season, hacking home in Grade 2’s at Leopardstown and Gowran; Bettered
both those runs when third in World Hurdle last time and big run expected.
Oscar Dan Dan: Made hay 2 seasons ago, his biggest moment
coming when he won Grade 1 event last year; Return to best form when third in
Aintree Hurdle but more needed here to be winning again.
Rigor Back Bob: Was very progressive over hurdles last term,
winning 5 times including 3m Grade 3 at Punchestown in April; Looked set for
much of the same this season after easy win on reappearance but not run to same
form since despite fifth in World Hurdle (behind Mourad) and others preferred.
Ringaroses: Wide margin winner of handicap hurdle at Aintree
and back to that form for first time since when 5 length second there when attempting
follow up latest; This completely different and surprise if he’s not
outclassed.
Won In The Dark: Grade 1 winner who performed with credit
last season(won twice) & back to best in some way again when third (well
beaten) behind Big Bucks and Grands Crus at Aintree last time out; Can run well
and not discounted.
Quevega: Super classy mare who has also begun to make a
serious mark in open company, cementing her status as the best in her field in
Europe; Imperious, untouchable almost when winner of David Nicholson Hurdle for
third year running at Cheltenham latest; Has to be standout choice in this
field.
Volder La Vedette: Seriously progressive last year and
tipped for major prizes when slamming Go Native by 13 lengths, following up in
impressive style twice; Made jump into open company proper this year when easy
winner of Grade 2 at Navan, and while she gained yet another success last time,
she has a hard race and this may come too soon for a mare who while classy,
doesn’t have guaranteed stamina.
VERDICT: QUEVGA was almost untouchable when winning a third successive
Mares hurdle at Cheltenham last time and she can repeat her win in this race
last year. Mourad is a prominent contender and Won In The Dark could outrun his
odds.
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