IE - Punchestown - Race 7

Thoroughbred

16 Runners

20.8f

Handicap Hurdle

Turf

Soft to Heavy

17.5K

VIEW

Verdict

In an ultra-competitive handicap, it could pay to side with KIMY who finished second in a strong listed mares handicap last season and took a step back in the right direction last time. Theflyingbee looks worth another chance to confirm the promise of her Navan second, while it would be no surprise to see Powerful resume progress now tackling 2½m. Of the rest, Moon Mission, Olympy De Cerisy and Plunkett Street all have scope for improvement.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
15	Second in strong mares' listed handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (18f, good to soft) last season. Step back in the right direction (effectively her reappearance) when third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Now 3 lb lower and makes plenty of appeal on her best form. 1st Pick 15 Kimy (Fr) Jockey: M. J. Kenneally Trainer: Thomas Mullins, Ireland J: M. J. Kenneally T: Thomas Mullins, Ireland	100	-	-	-	7%
Analysis Second in strong mares' listed handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (18f, good to soft) last season. Step back in the right direction (effectively her reappearance) when third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Now 3 lb lower and makes plenty of appeal on her best form.
2	Found improvement when chasing home a subsequent winner at Navan (2m, heavy) last month and wasn't seen to best effect when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle (6/1) at this course (19.2f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Worth another chance to confirm Navan promise. 2nd Pick 2 Theflyingbee (Ire) Jockey: Mr J. R. Martin Trainer: F. G. Hand, Ireland J: Mr J. R. Martin T: F. G. Hand, Ireland	99	-	-	-	7%
Analysis Found improvement when chasing home a subsequent winner at Navan (2m, heavy) last month and wasn't seen to best effect when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle (6/1) at this course (19.2f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Worth another chance to confirm Navan promise.
1	Looked most progressive when winning an 8-runner handicap hurdle over 2m here in November. Wasn't beaten far when unable to find a turn of pace on better ground at Leopardstown (2m) last time and may resume progress now upped in distance. 3rd Pick 1 Powerful (Ire) Jockey: S. D. Torrens Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland J: S. D. Torrens T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland	99	-	-	-	15%
Analysis Looked most progressive when winning an 8-runner handicap hurdle over 2m here in November. Wasn't beaten far when unable to find a turn of pace on better ground at Leopardstown (2m) last time and may resume progress now upped in distance.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Exacta

A bet selecting the first and second horses in a race in the correct order. An exacta box refers to paying a little more to ensure they can finish in either order.

Sloppy

A wet racetrack condition, typically with a firm base and water settling on top.

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.