4.55 Punchestown
Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €55,800
Advice: 1 pt win Don Poli (3/1 Stan James)
Apache Jack: Came forward from maiden hurdle win to land
similar contest with ease next time and then, in receipt of 7lbs, close up with
Briar Hill until the line in Slaney Novice (ahead of Very Wood, also here
today); Had that form reversed when third to Very Wood in Albert Bartlett at
Cheltenham having travelled up with the very best, and should go well again
here although hard to see him reversing form.
Beat That: Beaten favourite here last year over bumpers but
now a different horse, having shown giant potential when slamming useful
Champagne West on hurdles debut at Ascot and bouncing back from Sandown defeat
to take apart opposition upped to 3 miles at Aintree latest; No doubting that
this is far tougher but most impressive there and arguably the one to beat. 
Captainofthefleet: Been consistent since landing maiden
hurdle at Limerick back in December but 25 lengths behind Don Poli when the two
last met and won’t be reversing that form this time around. 
Lots of Memories: Been pitching in and around graded company
and handsome handicap win was just rewards for good efforts, although looked
quickly exposed following his wide margin Grade 3 at Cork in November;
Respected here and capable of good showing for all that this a different level.
Shanahan’s Turn: Pitched in at the deep end following a
solid maiden hurdle win where step up in trip and experience saw him win well
at Leopardstown, but never settled and
was well beaten in the Neptune at Cheltenham; No doubting that he has ability,
but fail to see him having requite stamina for such a test if he doesn’t race
more quietly. 
Thunder and Roses: Fell at the seventh off topweight in race
Lots of Memories won so well at Fairyhouse 10 days ago and had been useful
beforehand, second over C&D in February to Jetson looking even better than
it did at the time; Likely he can provide a good showing although this again a
different level for him. 
Don Poli: Found 2m4f too short on Irish debut but unbeaten
since, building greatly on promise shown when landing Thurles maiden hurdle
when grinding out Grade 3 win from smart chaser Goooneyella; Wasn’t thought of
with the Festival in mind but took his chance, and coped with drop in trip and
switch to fastest ground he’s faced so far with aplomb to run out a very ready
winner of Conditionals Handicap Hurdle, outstaying closest rival from the last
off mark of 143; Should go well. 
Draycott Place: Hard to have him as a contender given the
fact that he’s been beaten double figures on each of his graded starts. 
Very Wood: Looked as if he’d become disappointing, having shaped
well in decent at Navan before disappointing in Royal Bond and then being
beaten for stamina by Briar Hill (Apache Jack second, giving 3lbs), but transformed
for step upto 3 miles when travelling and lasting home best to win Albert
Bartlett in comprehensive style; Should go very well here.
VERDICT: A fiercely contested, high quality event with three
of the most promising staying novice hurdlers in training taking eachother on.
Both Beat That and Very Wood will take some catching but the way DON POLI coped
with a drop back in trip at Cheltenham suggests that he could be a serious
staying prospect and he gets the vote.
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