Punchestown

Saturday, May 3, 2025Hurdle2m4f

THE YELLOW CLAY may have lost his unbeaten record over hurdles but he still emerged with plenty of credit when runner-up in Grade 1 company at Cheltenham in March and, with further progress anticipated, he looks to hold prime claims again. The similarly exciting Final Demand finished a place behind the selection on his most recent start and can provide chief resistance. Lovely Hurling and Tripoli Flyer rate next best.

  • The Yellow Clay
  • Final Demand
  • Lovely Hurling
2m4f Grd1 Nov Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
  • 8. The Yellow Clay
    J: Sam EwingT: Gordon Elliott, Ireland
    F: 46/211112-
    Price History:
    2.50
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    155
    Days Since Last Run:
    51
    Verdict
    Really likeable sort who brought up the 4-timer when bagging Lawlor's Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft) in January. Lost little caste in defeat when second to The New Lion in Grade 1 Turners at the Festival latest and he's a leading player once more.
  • 3. Final Demand
    J: P. TownendT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
    F: 113-
    Price History:
    2.75
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    152
    Days Since Last Run:
    51
    Verdict
    Most impressive in landing first 2 starts over hurdles, taking the rise in class in his stride when a dominant winner of Grade 1 at Leopardstown (22.2f) in February. Emerged with plenty of credit when third in Turners at Cheltenham (The Yellow Clay second) and he remains a leading prospect.
  • 4. Funiculi Funicula
    J: D. E. MullinsT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
    F: 2/193-
    Price History:
    11.00
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    141
    Days Since Last Run:
    27
    Verdict
    Runner-up only start in France in 2023 and made light of 15-month absence when an easy winner of a Clonmel maiden (17f) on yard debut in January. Well beaten in Supreme next time but firmly back on track when third in Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (20f) 4 weeks ago. Each-way claims again.
  • 1. Belloccio
    J: Rachael BlackmoreT: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
    F: 1583-
    Price History:
    12.00
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    144
    Days Since Last Run:
    26
    Verdict
    Impressive when making a winning hurdles debut here (2m) last spring before following up in valuable Royal Ascot handicap a month later. Mixed bag followed but back on track when keeping on for third in Garde 2 novice hurdle at Naas (2m) 26 days ago. Up in trip.
  • 9. Tripoli Flyer
    J: Jonathan BurkeT: Fergal O'Brien
    F: 512/21116-
    Price History:
    11.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    142
    Days Since Last Run:
    28
    Verdict
    Improved in bumpers last season and highly progressive sent hurdling this time around, taking rise in class in his stride when bringing up the hat-trick in Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m) in February. Seriously let down by his jumping at Aintree latest but a return to a right-handed track may help.
  • 5. Lovely Hurling
    J: M. P. WalshT: Colm A. Murphy, Ireland
    F: 7/11-
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    0
    Days Since Last Run:
    83
    Verdict
    Different proposition when landing a Wexford bumper (20f) 12 months ago and looked a very useful prospect after 8 months off when readily landing 15-runner Naas maiden (18.5f) in February. Remains with untapped potential and worth his place at this higher level.
  • 6. Mr Percy
    J: J. J. SlevinT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
    F: U1201-
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    138
    Days Since Last Run:
    26
    Verdict
    Flat winner who bagged a second victory over hurdles after 4 months off/with cheekpieces added in 8-runner Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (20f) 26 days ago, quickening to lead close home. This is understandably tougher but he's another with place possibilities.
  • 7. Queensbury Boy
    J: Mr David MaxwellT: Harry Derham
    F: 1/211-
    Price History:
    21.00
    Age:
    6
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    131
    Days Since Last Run:
    42
    Verdict
    £130,000 purchase after Irish point win. Showed smart form in bumpers, winning on Rules debut at Chepstow before excellent second in much deeper field at Punchestown last spring. Completed a fairly simple task in making it 2-2 over hurdles at Newbury (20.5f) in March and he'll go on improving.
  • 2. Eastern Legend
    J: K. E. BuckleyT: J. S. Bolger, Ireland
    F: 54223U15-
    Price History:
    81.00
    Age:
    5
    Weight:
    11-12
    Gear:
    cheekpieces and tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    132
    Days Since Last Run:
    26
    Verdict
    Useful handicapper on the level who capitalised on the drop in grade when running out a ready winner of a Navan maiden hurdle (2m) in March. However, found things tougher returned to graded company at Fairyhouse 26 days ago and this another tall ask.
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