Weekend Preview | Punchestown 16th February 2020

Race 1 - Goffs 4yo Maiden

Warren Ewing has his team of horses in great form at present having two doubles at fixtures in recent weeks. His two entries for this will be of interest having gone close with Getareason in 2017.

Donnchadh Doyle has won this race twice in the last seven years, and Unanswered Prayers could be his first four-year-old runner of 2020, whilst Colin Bowe has already won two races in that age group this month and his six entries will have to be of interest.

Race 2 - Cavan Developments 5yo Geldings Maiden

KILBEG KING only found a more experienced rival too good on his debut at Tinahely, when a final-fence error was undoubtedly crucial. He looks the one to beat here. The Warren Ewing horses have stepped up notably from their autumn form in recent weeks, and if that trend continues here, Francesco Du Clos, may be one to note. He was running well for a long way at Kirkistown on debut in November until making a number of errors in the closing stages.

Bourbon Street disappointed at Aghabullogue last month on his final start for Colin Bowe and has since switched yards, with The Dara Man entitled to claims on his Kirkistown effort.

Race 3 - Quinns of Baltinglass Farmers Hunt Race

This should be a mere penalty kick for REWRITETHERULES in what is a massive drop down in class following his impressive defeat of a former Graded winner in Wounded Warrior at Carrigarostig on his seasonal re-appearance last month.

Change Your Story faces a much stiffer task here if he is to repeat his win from 12 months ago, whilst his stablemate, Enniskillen, who is now a 15-year-old, is another former winner of the race, having been victorious in the 2018 renewal. Tinahely winner Handy Headon and Handy Headon are others with place claims.

Race 4 - Mongey Communications Open- Novice Riders

Some Are Lucky is back to defend his victory in last years renewal, which proved to be one of seven successes in the open division last season, although conditions are likely to be quite different this time around.

That may favour Hunter Chase winner UCELLO CONTI, who ran well in Soft ground at Ballindenisk and should be seen to better effect than when pulling up at Down Royal over Christmas. Horendus Hulabaloo could not quite follow up his Borris House effort at Bellharbour earlier in the month, with Vinnies Nephue an interesting contender on his first foray into open company, having won by a wide margin at Knockmullen House.

Race 5 - Jacqueline McManus Solicitors 5yo+ Mares Maiden

SHANAVOUN LADY put up a good performance on her debut at Borris House when chasing home Katoune Tara before Christmas. That would leave her as the one to beat in this. 

Honest Opinion was not beaten far in testing conditions at Knockmullen House on her seasonal re-appearance earlier this month and is the big danger, alongside Timeless Beauty and Jackie Daniels, a horse that was a big eye-catcher at Lingstown before disappointing in Borris House subsequently.

Race 6 - Dublin Products Ltd 6yo+ Geldings Maiden

DIEGOS WAY goes in search of compensation here having been cruelly denied a first success at Knockmullen House a fortnight ago when coming down in the closing stages. He was clear at the time and would certainly be deserving of victory here.

Makeshift has left David Nagle and is now with Eoin McDonagh. It is worth nothing that he was once sent off as favourite for a four-year-old maiden when with Cormac Doyle, whilst Evalabrune Dor is another horse having his first run for a new yard, having joined Gordon Elliott from Sean Doyle. He did manage to finish third at Ballindenisk before Christmas and could not be ruled out in a race like this.