| Course: PUNCHESTOWN | Race date:25/04/08 | Race time:5:30 | Runners:25 |
| Race distance:2m | Going:Good | Winners time:3m 53.50s |
I Hear A Symphony mid-division, closer in 5th approaching 3 out, moderate 4th into straight, soon closed under pressure, disputed lead last, led and stayed on best run-in
Raise Your Heart in rear of mid-division, closed from 3 out, moderate 5th into straight, soon closed in 3rd, ridden to challenge and dispute lead last, no extra and kept on same pace late run-in
Vaqueras soon chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, reduced lead straight, headed and dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace
Young Milly towards rear, headway and no impression from before 2 out, ridden and kept on without threatening
Fantoche towards rear, kept on without threatening from before 2 out
Jimmy Ber chased leaders, 2nd approaching 2 out, moderate 4th and no impression under pressure straight
Itsmylife in rear of mid-division, no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening from before 2 out
Royal Approval chased leaders, 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure
Turtle Time Lucky chased leaders, 8th approaching 5 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before 2 out
Taradoun mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
Captain Conflict in rear of mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
Whatsabillion never better than mid-division
Baltiman led, headed before 3 out, no extra from before next
The Man Himself prominent, in front when slight mistake 3 out, headed and weakened from before next
Marseillais tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place 3 out and no extra from before next
Giant Eagle tracked leaders, lost place and no extra from 3 out
Stellino mid-division, no impression from before 2 out
Qasbah mid-division, closer order before 5 out, lost place and no extra from 3 out
South West One never better than mid-division
Royal Rhythm prominent, lost place and weakened from 3 out
Mudslinger always towards rear
Tipolino towards rear for most, no impression from 3 out
Alderseed always towards rear, reminders after 5 out, soon no impression
Dabluffer chased leaders early, weakened 4 out, completely tailed off
Ballydungmanor mid-division, ridden and weakened from 4 out, pulled up injured before 2 out
Raise Your Heart didn't lose anything indefeat and was hampered by the fact that he probably only just about gets two miles. Robert Power couldn't really have given him a better ride. Held up towards the back, he made good progress to close right up at the second last, going on with the winnerfrom there and was just outstayed inside the final hundred yards. Two miles on good ground suits him ideally and there are good races over the summer months to be won with him.
The first two pulled clear of Vaqueras, another horse that has given the impression before of having stamina limitations over this trip and in a good race like this they were exposed. He travels like a good horse and did again today, but when going on at the second last probably because he was travelling so well, it was toosoon as he was swallowed up by the first two coming to the final flight. He kept on at one pace to hold on to third-place prize-money.
Also never nearer than at the finish was Fantoche. A horse that was placed in a Brazilian Group 1, good ground is likely to suit him quite well, and after some lacklustre efforts following his maiden hurdle win in January, this was a much better effort. He just stayed on off the strong pace to be never nearer, having never been in a position to challenge.
Jimmy Ber won his maiden hurdle in quite good style at fairyhouse over Easter, a race that worked out well enough in the short-term, and ran equally well here. He was handily placed most of the way and just kept on at the samepace from the second last. He's one that's likely to stay a bit further.
The Willie Mullins pair Itsmylife and Captain Conflict weren't good enough to get into the race and just stayed on past beaten horses. [JO'H]
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