ONLY 12 runners have been declared for the two feature races at Punchestown today, the Grade Two Morgiana Hurdle and the Grade Three Craddockstown Novice Chase. Derrymoyle is highest rated in the hurdle, but his best distance appears to be two and a half to three miles.
I would be as loath to discard Derrymoyle on that account as to dismiss him on his seemingly disappointing debut over fences here last month, when it is probable he needed the race. Successful in a two and a half mile hurdle over this course in February, he could well take beating.
Cockney Lad meets Derrymoyle at level weights, but would receive 8 lb in a handicap. Fourth behind Urubande in a two and a half mile hurdle at Navan last time out, Noel Meade's charge is probably better suited to this trip over which he landed odds with ease from Persian Halo at Down Royal and was earlier successful in a handicap hurdle over this course and distance, beating Mayasta by nine lengths.
Mayasta, a consistent hurdler now enjoys a pull of 15 lb which, despite the ease of Cockney Lad's success, might be sufficient to turn the tables. Noel Meade also runs the four year old Hill Society, a very easy winner of a two mile hurdle at Listowel. A decent horse on the flat, Hill Society is not so easy to gauge over timber, but he has good finishing speed and this could prove crucial in a fascinating though difficult race for which Mayasta is burdened with the nap.
The Jessica Harrington trained Dance Beat is not yet rated over fences, but is assessed only 2 lb behind Beakstown over hurdles. Beakstown is set to give 11 lb to the Ladbroke winner in the Chaddockstown Novice Chase, and this may be beyond Paddy Mullins' charge who brought up the rear in a four runner chase at Leopardstown last time out.
Dance Beat was unchallenged in winning her first two chases at Tipperary and Roscommon. She may have a good future in two mile chases and could have more to fear from the progressive and more experienced The Outback Way than from Beakstown.
Aidan O'Brien, who is not represented in the two feature races, should land the Cullens Gorse Hurdle with Choosey's Treasure, recently successful over timber at Navan and Leopardstown. O'Brien and Charlie Swan are also represented with the J P McManus owned Istabraq in the Locks Restaurant Novice Hurdle.
The imported Istabraq, who makes his debut over hurdles, has not run since finishing second behind Turgenev in a flat race at Haydock in June. Noble Thyne has not been seen since winning a bumper here in April, but he previously divided the weight receiving Bolino Star and Mucklemeg in a Grade Two hurdle at Leopardstown. A fit Noble Thyne would surely be hard to beat.
Ferrycarrig Hotel is preferred to stable companion Tryfirion in the Rathsallagh House Handicap Hurdle, but the selection may be pressed by the Aidan O'Brien trained Antapoura who has been running prominently on the flat.
. Smart chasing prospect Mulligan has been declared to run at Cheltenham today but trainer David Nicholson is delaying a final decision over his participation. Nicholson warned "Mulligan only runs if l arn happy with the grounds.
