16:20 Punchestown

Tuesday 25 April 2017

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:15

Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 100y  |   Good to Yielding (Cross Country: Good to Firm)  |   7 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:20  |   Winning time: 3m 58.9s
1st
Horse silk
2
8/1
T: W P MullinsJ: D J Mullins
Disputed lead, headed and slight mistake 2nd, chased leaders after, moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon closed, challenged in 2nd approaching last where slight mistake, led and stayed on best from 100yds out op 10/1
2nd
Horse silk
1
4
511-12
5/4f
T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh
Disputed lead, led 2nd, slight mistake 4th, joined before next, not fluent 2 out, gained narrow lead before straight, headed and kept on without matching winner from 100yds out op 11/10
3rd
Horse silk
3 ¼
6
711-12
9/1
T: C L TizzardJ: D N Russell
Tracked leaders, closed up 4th, on terms before next, narrowly headed before straight and pushed along, dropped to 3rd approaching last, no extra, one pace
4th
Horse silk
13
7
9/1
T: Mrs J HarringtonJ: R M Power
Towards rear, pushed along and some headway from 3 out, moderate 4th next, soon no impression, no extra and not fluent last op 12/1
5th
Horse silk
11
1
9/1
T: W P MullinsJ: P Townend
Held up in touch, not fluent jumping, pushed along from 3 out, soon no extra
6th
Horse silk
34
5
28/1
T: N P MulhollandJ: N D Fehily
Held up in touch, some slight mistakes and not fluent 6th, lost place and pushed along from 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off
7th
Horse silk
99
3
611-12
5/2
T: G ElliottJ: J W Kennedy
Refused to jump off with the others and left hopelessly behind, completed in own time, completely tailed off op 3/1

Watch Race Replay

Unlimited race replays of all UK & Irish racing

Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee

Log in with your existing Sporting Life, Sky Bet, or Sky Games account. If you don't have any of those, it's completely FREE to register!

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:€8.40Pl:€3.50, €1.20EX:€21.70Trifecta:€151.00SF:€20.03

Forecasts

Melon (5/4), Labaik (5/2), Cilaos Emery (8/1), Pingshou (9/1), Forge Meadow (9/1), Bunk Off Early (9/1), Peter The Mayo Man (28/1)

Verdict

A fascinating event that pits the first two from last month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle into battle again. MELON was a warm order for that contest despite having run only once previously. He cannot be faulted too much for his effort and should have learned plenty from that skirmish amidst the heat of Grade One battle. With the potential for an improved performance here, he is given the vote to turn tables on Labaik. The Elliott runner was under the radar at Cheltenham due to his tendency to act up at the start. His talent is clear for all to see but his temperament cannot be assumed to have transformed on just one run, so he still comes with risks and might find that Melon has more to offer now regardless. Pingshou landed a Grade One at Aintree and is respected on the back of it while the other Mullins contenders Bunk Off Early and Cilaos Emery should not be discounted from leaving their Cheltenham efforts behind and running big races.
  1. Melon
  2. Labaik
  3. Pingshou

Prize Money

1st: €59,000.002nd: €19,000.003rd: €9,000.004th: €4,000.005th: €2,000.006th: €1,000.00

MOST READ RACING

Sporting Life
Race Replays
Unlimited race replays of all UK & Irish racing.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

RACING TIPS

Next Off

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo