IE - Punchestown - Race 3

Thoroughbred

14 Runners

18.9f

Maiden Chase

Turf

Soft to Heavy

14.5K

VIEW

Verdict

Smart hurdler KITZBUHEL can make a winning start over fences for Willie Mullins, who has won the last 2 runnings of this with Gaelic Warrior and Ballyburn. The forecast spot might be filled by Shuffle The Deck, who quickly developed into a useful hurdler last season and a point background provides hope that he can do at least as well over fences. The selection's stablemate Kaid d'Authie is next on the list.

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Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
7	Smart hurdler. Hooded for 1st time, creditable ½-length third of 6 to Blueking D'oroux in Select Hurdle at Sandown (21.5f, good to firm) when last seen in May. Top chase prospect. 1st Pick 7 Kitzbuhel (Fr) Jockey: P. Townend Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	100	-	-	-	72%
Analysis Smart hurdler. Hooded for 1st time, creditable ½-length third of 6 to Blueking D'oroux in Select Hurdle at Sandown (21.5f, good to firm) when last seen in May. Top chase prospect.
9	Useful form over hurdles last season. 5/1, career best when winning 8-runner novice at Naas (16f, good to soft) in April, kept up to work. Point winner so should take to fences. Respected. 2nd Pick 9 Shuffle The Deck (Ire) Jockey: M. P. Walsh Trainer: T. M. Walsh, Ireland J: M. P. Walsh T: T. M. Walsh, Ireland	82	-	-	-	17%
Analysis Useful form over hurdles last season. 5/1, career best when winning 8-runner novice at Naas (16f, good to soft) in April, kept up to work. Point winner so should take to fences. Respected.
6	Useful hurdler. 9/4 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 10-runner minor event hurdle at this course (19.3f, good to soft) in April. Makes chase debut. 3rd Pick 6 Kaid D'authie (Fr) Jockey: S. D. Torrens Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland J: S. D. Torrens T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	81	-	-	-	13%
Analysis Useful hurdler. 9/4 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, career best when winning 10-runner minor event hurdle at this course (19.3f, good to soft) in April. Makes chase debut.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.

Furlong

One furlong is an eighth of a mile.

State-Bred

A horse bred in a particular state and thus eligible to race in restricted state-bred races. These can be anything from maiden races to stakes events.