18th October - Punchestown Review (AW)

18th October – Punchestown

Going: Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places) (Times suggest Good)

The first day of a good two-day meeting from Punchestown was kicked of with a decent maiden taken by Boulavogue. Charlie Swan has him earmarked for a possible French engagement. The second Victoria Night has subsequently gone on to score at Thurles. There will be winners in this field, but the nature of the race, featuring so many unexposed fresh young horses make it difficult to pin point specific runners.

The second race of the day produced a quite stunning performance from Iktitaf. This was a quite easy success but the nature of the performance and its quality cannot go unrecognised. Noel Meade will keep Iktitaf away from any possible clashes with stable mate Harchibald. Of those in behind Davenport Democrat provided evidence of his ability and solidified the view of the winner’s performance.

Gemini Lucy recorded another success in the listed novice chase. Take nothing away from her when allowed to bowl along in front she is indeed a force to be reckoned with. The times suggested that the ground on the Wednesday was more towards good than yielding however, as was described. I’d expect the lush surface to be part of the reason. She will have other wins in her if allowed to dominate, but this coupled with better going is the crucial factor for her, and her jumping, in my humble opinion, is still far too head strong. She fell last time out and always looks a very dangerous yet enigmatic jumper. In better company I believe this will become unstuck and I'd predict more falls ahead unless they can get her to calm down. She is however talented, and when in amongst her own sex she will be hard to beat on better ground. Mounthenry will eventually get a win under his belt. For me he is too well known to think that there is any real value in following him.

Dessie Hughes said of Akthari that he wouldn’t like the ground much more testing confirming my opinion that the ground wasn’t too soft. He is fit and running well. There is a lot to like about the way he too bowls along in front and sets a toiling pace for his rivals to follow. The tactics are useful and reminded me very much of his last win and that of Gemini Lucy in the race previous. A step up in trip, with reasonable ground may see him defy the handicapper in the future. The remainder of the field did not inspire much despite running up to form.

Leading Run’s performance was tough and gutsy, but they’ll have to keep him to two and half miles or thereabouts though, as Meade has stated in the past. I think two miles would see him caught out and three miles see him just not stay well enough to display his true quality. He will probably try getting further with due success however. They need to work on his jumping too but I think this will improve along with his fitness. Can’t fault his toughness despite the time not telling us a lot and being pretty awful to be honest. He is certain to come on for the run and one to keep on the right side of, even though he may not offer many betting prospects. Badgerlaw who finished second was race fit, but his last run left a little to be desired in quality, showing that Leading Run did well, but that the race was nothing spectacular bar the exciting finish.

Lemagarut, has been running consistently of late and despite being the hurdles course, I think that his win illustrates the fact that the ground was riding more towards good. A proven good, good/yielding ground, two-mile winner in the past. Asian Alliance was well backed for the Willie Mullins stable but has disappointed in the past and she strikes me as one to avoid as a betting prospect from now on.