IE - Punchestown - Race 6

Thoroughbred

25 Runners

16.6f

Maiden Hurdle

Turf

Soft to Heavy

14.0K

VIEW

Verdict

I STARTED A JOKE possesses much the best form on show so this useful bumper scorer is fancied to deservedly get off the mark over hurdles. Willie Mullins' Riskabahia proved much too free when only ninth on his debut in this sphere at Navan and could take a big step forward now fitted with a hood. Winning pointer Embrace The Day brings a fair bit of potential starting out under Rules and could also have a say, while Springhill Warrior, Playtime and Tyson Fury all need factoring in too.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
4	Useful bumper winner who has started well in this sphere, fourth of 18 in novice hurdle (evens) at Limerick (16f, heavy) 14 days ago, especially as he blundered 4 out. Holds leading form claims. 1st Pick 4 I Started A Joke (Ire) Jockey: P. Byrnes Trainer: Charles Byrnes, Ireland J: P. Byrnes T: Charles Byrnes, Ireland	100	-	-	-	63%
Analysis Useful bumper winner who has started well in this sphere, fourth of 18 in novice hurdle (evens) at Limerick (16f, heavy) 14 days ago, especially as he blundered 4 out. Holds leading form claims.
20	Won 14.9f maiden at Fontainebleau in 2023 on sole start for Mlle A-S. Pacault. Sent off 11/8 on first run since but raced much too freely when ninth of 22 in novice hurdle at Navan (16f, heavy) on NH debut 56 days ago. Hooded now and can leave that form behind. 2nd Pick 20 Riskabahia (Fr) Jockey: P. Townend Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	93	-	-	-	20%
Analysis Won 14.9f maiden at Fontainebleau in 2023 on sole start for Mlle A-S. Pacault. Sent off 11/8 on first run since but raced much too freely when ninth of 22 in novice hurdle at Navan (16f, heavy) on NH debut 56 days ago. Hooded now and can leave that form behind.
3	€10,000 3-y-o, Fascinating Rock gelding. Dam, very useful 2m-2½m hurdle/chase winner, also 1¼m winner on Flat. Won his sole start in points in May so he's an interesting hurdling newcomer for good yard. 3rd Pick 3 Embrace The Day (Ire) Jockey: Keith Donoghue Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland	94	-	-	-	3%
Analysis €10,000 3-y-o, Fascinating Rock gelding. Dam, very useful 2m-2½m hurdle/chase winner, also 1¼m winner on Flat. Won his sole start in points in May so he's an interesting hurdling newcomer for good yard.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Yielding

A rain-soaked turf condition often producing a slick or heavy course and slower finish times.

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.

Workout

A workout is a timed sprint over varying distances prior to a race, meant to get a horse fit enough for competition.