1st November - Punchestown Review (AW)

1st November – Punchestown

Going; Soft (Times agree)

Derravarra Eagle returned to winning ways. After being injured as a four year old he has taken a long time to get back right, but his performance in the opener was of some credit, and although the field was not exactly full of class there were some fair sorts in there. Breathing Fire continues to frustrate. There appears to be no value in backing him or following him for the time being. Deep Thinker looks the one to take from the race, a definite improver with more and more racing, I won’t get carried away by this performance but I’d imagine there is better to come.

Henry De Bromhead is in great form and Sizing Australia continued that run under Ruby Walsh. Celtic Sammy was well backed but could not match the effort of the winner. Celtic Sammy has definite work to do on his jumping before he could be considered worthy of a bet again. The rest of the field were very average but I would favour this as being the better of the two divisions of the race.

Marburg had hinted at ability in recent runs and gained success in the second division of the maiden hurdle. This performance was far less reliable than the running of the first maiden and the two races look average. Major Stampi looks like antoher Noel Meade runner who may strip fitter for the run.

A much better maiden hurdle followed the more staying events, where Shuil Oisin ran on for a first success. Denis O’Regan doesn’t ride for John Kiely very often and the booking proved to be crucial as the in form rider gleaned a good run to nail Farmer Brown close home. Overall the first 5 in the race all look capable of scoring and this should prove to be a fair maiden for finding similar winners.

Tipperary All Star was given a total Ruby Walsh quality run to land the handicap hurdle. The performance was very solid looking from a horse that has had a variety of breathing problems. Problems that may now have been fixed. Steel Band finishing second gives the form a nice look of solidness and although a lot of the runners were nothing out of the ordinary I’d be looking out for Tipperary All Star next few runs as there could easily be a follow up to this win despite Ruby Walsh definitely being a big factor to this nice performance.

Schindlers Hunt stole all the lime light from Sky’s The Limit, as the pre-race favourite blew up in the home straight with obvious effect. Take nothing away from the winner, who connections have always thought a lot of, this was a good performance and this was a really good beginners chase. Davy Fitzgerald, who is in great form, had his Rights Of Man in fine order and he was denied by the tough battling quality of the winner. There will be a few decent future winners to come from this race. Khetaam finishing fourth supports the solidity of the form. Sky’s The Limit can really jump too and I look forward to seeing him fully wound up.

Dosco put in a steady performance in the handicap chase, under in form Paddy Flood to land him and trainer Dessie Hughes a quick fire double on the card. Dosco is however quite tried and it’s hard to know whether he could land another win next time out. It was a bit easy for him on the day though and it’s probably worth seeing what the handicapper does before deciding whether to keep backing him. Walk Over finished down the field, but I do think he’s not one to give up hope on. The further and the softer the better for him I think.