19th October - Punchestown Review (AW)

19th October – Punchestown

Going: Soft

A reasonable performance by Davorin, in the first, despite the going not being in his favour. I think I’d be tempted to stick him away until spring unless there’s a dry meeting around. I think there will be a few winners to come out of the race too. Kingsmaster has a handicap in him before the season’s out, he may be a slow developing type.

Blazing Sky’s performance was nothing spectacular but you have to give her credit after a lay off. Frank McGuinness will almost certainly return to Punchestown with her, where he has a very good record. I think that they got a little greedy with Celestial Wave, thinking she was fit and probably heard that the eventual second Brogella wasn’t wound up, as she never totally is. With apparently nothing else to beat they tried to hammer her knowing she was fit. She’s better over further and watching the race Nina Carberry tried to catch the rest out for fitness by going out a bit too quick.

The most eye catching thing to take from Clearwaterdreamers success was the continued success of the trainer jockey partnership. Martin Brassil rarely books Ruby, keep an eye out for the pairing over the winter, the winner may have another weak handicap in him if he wasn’t fully wound up and if slightly stepped up in distance. The handicapper may struggle to lump weight onto him for another win. Nothing special however.

War Of Attrition did what was required, there appeared to be a reasonable, yet false, belief that the softened conditions would result in a good run from Watson Lake. You couldn’t ask much more from the reigning Gold Cup hero though.

Mattock Ranger provided a nice little performance. Future wins are assured before stepping up into graded company where by things may become trickier. I’d imagine he does have a graded race in him however. Gazza’s Girl is the one to take from the race, look out for her in a mares only races, and especially over three miles.

Walk Over’s win was a strange performance, the only thing I will draw from it is the following, Midlands Grand National. A highly speculative assumption by myself, but one that may make me look like a genius, but more likely a fool. I’ve now got him down as one to keep a very mindful eye on for the rest of the season.