13:30 Punchestown (IRE) 20 Nov 2022
Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase
grade 2 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €21,900 - 5 ran
led, reminder 2nd, not fluent and joined 5th, led or disputed after until led again 8th, pressed 4 out, headed narrowly after 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, edged ahead close home edged
tracked leaders, slow and reminder and flicked tail 4th, reached for 7th, went 2nd next, pressed leader from 4 out, led narrowly after next, ridden before last, kept on well, headed close home
held up in touch, 2nd at 2nd, disputed from 5th, bad mistake, nearly unseated rider and headed 8th, close 3rd 3 out, ridden when pecked 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
held up in touch in rear, not fluent 1st, soon 4th, dropped to rear again 4th, left 4th after 8th, pushed along before next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, mistake and pecked badly 1st, soon dropped to rear, 3rd at 4th, not fluent 7th, in touch in 4th when eased and pulled up after 8th
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €24.65 |
| CSF | £56.54 (7, 4) |
| Win | £21.40 (7) |
| Place | £3.00 (7), £1.20 (4) |
| Exacta | £55.80 (7, 4) |
| Trifecta | £182.70 (7, 4, 1) |
Expert Analysis
A rather weak Grade 2 in the end, the 5 reduced to 4 when Idas Boy was pulled up at halfway, and the overall time slower than the preceding handicap despite very similar splits along the way and the winner of that race carrying more weight than the winner of this one. Five of the fences were bypassed in both races due to the sun.
DARRENS HOPE (c134 here and previously) was a surprise winner in betting terms but probably only returned to her best (had been runner-up in a Grade 3 in March) with a few shortcomings in her rivals coming to the fore. She made nearly all until before 2 out and fought back tenaciously to get the verdict. She stayed 26f well enough to finish second in the Killarney National at that trip.
MINELLA CROONER (c141 here, unraced chases previously) got near to his hurdling form at the first time of asking over larger obstacles and should build on this, with a win or 2 in coming months seeming highly likely. He raced close up behind the leader, was pushed along before 4 out, led before the second-last then just run out of it on what was his first outing in 207 days. Stamina is his long suit and he should stay beyond 3m, a race like the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival a feasible longer-term goal.
AMIRITE (c137 here, 129+ previously) improved a bit from his only previous run (and win) over larger obstacles, close up behind the leader but blundering at the eighth, then every chance in the closing stages until held on the run-in. He can go quite freely and would not be in need of further just yet.
PANDA BOY (c126 here, 123 previously) made little impression late on having been patiently ridden but could be one for handicaps later on, unlikely to be harshly treated on what he has done over fences compared to his 139-rated form in hurdles.
IDAS BOY (c0 here, 142 previously) seemed to recover fine from a mistake at the first but was pulled up before 4 out with his jockey reporting that he was never travelling. His form should have seen him win or go close here.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 13:30 Punchestown 20th Nov 2022
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Yielding | 4 | Vanillier | 6 | 11 5 | - | 1201-43 | 16 days | G Cromwell (49 miles) | Keith Donoghue | 13/ 8 | 6:09.10 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 7 | Pencilfulloflead | 6 | 11 5 | - | 14214-1 | 21 days | G Elliott (49 miles) | Rachael Blackmore | 11/ 2 | 6:25.10 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 7 | Battleoverdoyen | 6 | 11 3 | - | 1111P-1 | 21 days | G Elliott (49 miles) | Davy Russell | 2/ 5 | 5:59.00 | |
| 2018 | Good | 6 | Some Neck | 7 | 11 3 | - | 1514U-6 | 188 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | D J Mullins | 7/ 1 | 5:45.40 | |
| 2017 | Soft - Heavy | 5 | Jury Duty | 6 | 11 3 | - | 1236-12 | 14 days | G Elliott (49 miles) | Robbie Power | 6/ 1 | 6:08.90 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 6 | A Toi Phil | 6 | 11 3 | - | R117-P1 | 16 days | G Elliott (49 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 3/ 1 | 6:01.10 | |
| 2015 | Soft - Heavy | 6 | Shantou Flyer | 5 | 11 6 | - | P31211 | 23 days | C Bowe (82 miles) | Mr B O'Neill | 5/ 1 | 6:17.30 | |
| 2014 | Soft | 5 | Shanahan's Turn | 6 | 11 3 | - | 2318-51 | 18 days | H De Bromhead (89 miles) | Jonathan Burke | 11/ 4 | 5:58.10 | |
| 2013 | Yielding | 4 | Morning Assembly | 6 | 11 3 | - | 321F1-1 | 18 days | P A Fahy (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 6/ 4 | 5:47.90 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 4 | Back In Focus | 7 | 11 3 | - | 2118-21 | 59 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 2/ 5 | 6:01.10 | |
| 2011 | Soft | 4 | Last Instalment | 6 | 11 3 | - | 111-3P1 | 28 days | P Fenton (98 miles) | Davy Russell | 8/ 11 | 6:05.20 | |
| 2010 | Soft - Heavy | 5 | Thegreatjohnbrowne | 6 | 11 0 | - | 11PP0-1 | 18 days | N Meade (49 miles) | D Condon | 11/ 8 | 5:59.60 | |
| 2009 | Heavy | 7 | Aranleigh | 7 | 11 0 | - | 15433-1 | 21 days | A Mullins (62 miles) | Mark Walsh | 11/ 2 | 6:10.90 | |
| 2008 | Heavy | 8 | Trafford Lad | 6 | 11 6 | - | 11233-1 | 30 days | E Sheehy (62 miles) | T J Doyle | 9/ 4 | 6:10.30 | |
| 2007 | Good | 4 | Santa's Son | 7 | 11 0 | - | 745-311 | 30 days | J F O'Shea (62 miles) | J L Cullen | 11/ 10 | 6:05.10 | |
| 2006 | Soft | 4 | Purple Shuffle | 8 | 11 2 | - | 3505-85 | 17 days | P A Fahy (47 miles) | B J Geraghty | 14/ 1 | 6:08.40 | |
| 2005 | Heavy | 5 | Slim Pickings | 6 | 11 2 | - | 01317-2 | 19 days | R Tyner (158 miles) | D J Casey | 11/ 8 | 6:00.60 |
