Punchestown Stayers' Hurdle Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
5
Mark Walsh

Sire Du Berlais

J: Mark Walsh
T: Gordon Elliott
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
OR: 160
Days: 19

Disappointed on soft ground at the festival before bolting up at Aintree, downing the Cheltenham winner Flooring Porter in the process.

He's a solid, largely consistent type who can be trusted to run his race, though he's probably not the force of old, he can still play a part in the finish for a trainer who's in red hot form.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN24.5GS11-101
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-101
12/02/23NAV21Gd/Y11-124
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-10PU
04/12/22FAI19.5Sft11-105
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
4
Aidan Coleman

Paisley Park

J: Aidan Coleman
T: Emma Lavelle
N/A
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
OR: 159
Days: 42

Paisley Park ran a good race at the festival, finishing third to Flooring Porter. He's had a bit of an in and out season, and connections have adopted a few changes in tactics and headgear along the way - but he seems to still show some spark at the age of 10.

He isn't getting any younger, but he has better form that most. Is the track a worry?

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-107
28/01/23CHL24Sft11-83
26/12/22KEM24.5Sft11-71
25/11/22NBY24Gd11-82
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-105
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
8
Daryl Jacob

Concertista

J: Daryl Jacob
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-3
OR: 150
Days: 41

Another horse switching from fences to hurdles. Concertista is a very good mare, and she has won two of three starts this season over fences.

She disappointed at Cheltenham though, so that must be a concern. She's trained by a genius in Willie Mullins nonetheless and her form is up there with some of these, but the lack of a recent run over hurdles is enough of a red flag. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-3PU
18/03/22CHL20.5GS11-55
28/12/21LIM22.5Hy11-71
05/12/21COR16.5Sft11-21
01/05/21PUN20Gd/Y11-93
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
3
Paul Townend

Klassical Dream

J: Paul Townend
T: W P Mullins
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-10
OR: 163
Days: 42

The enigma that is Klassical Dream... he's absolutely breath-taking on his day but he does throw in a few shockers from time to time.

His last effort at Cheltenham was underwhelming, though they all finished in a heap behind the eventual winner Flooring Porter.

He did absolutely bolt up here in this race last year though, but he seems to be a much better horse fresh. Interesting.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/04/23PUN23.5Gd/Y11-101
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-109
04/12/22FAI19.5Sft11-102
21/05/22AUT25.5VSft10-102
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-101
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
7
Keith Donoghue

Vanillier

J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 148
Days: 44


Reverts back to hurdling here, without a run over hurdles since this meeting last year. He has only managed to win one of five starts over fences and has fundamentally disappointed as, to the eye, he looks every inch a chaser.

Hard to recommended in the context of this race though he ran to a fair level last year as a novice hurdler.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
25/02/23FAI25.5Y11-82
05/02/23LEO21Y11-9F
19/12/22PUN20Sft11-106
05/11/22DRO19.5Y11-103
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-106
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
1
Robbie Power

Ashdale Bob

J: Robbie Power
T: Mrs John Harrington
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 11-10
OR: 151
Days: 43

Ran an excellent race to finish third in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. Prior to that good effort he was beaten a head over 2m5f at Navan by Thedevilscoachman.

Ashdale Bob is a consistent horse, with solid enough form, though he is likely to find one or two too good again here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/03/23CHL24Sft11-10PU
28/12/22LEO24Sft11-102
04/12/22FAI19.5Sft11-104
13/11/22NAV20Y11-33
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-102
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
6

Thedevilscoachman

J:
T: Noel Meade
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-10
OR: 152
Days: 65

Unexposed at the trip, Thedevilscoachman hasn't gone beyond 2m5f as yet. He toughed it out well last time out, against Ashdale Bob, closing with every stride towards the line to ultimately win by a head.

The trip looks like it could suit and he's definitely got more improvement left in him over hurdles after an underwhelming couple of efforts over fences. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/04/23FAI29Sft10-13PU
26/03/23LIM24.5Sft11-61
29/01/23NAA25Sft11-01
04/12/22FAI20Sft11-12F
30/10/22GAL22.5Sft/Hy11-121
Punchestown - April 27 2022
Punchestown 16:25
2
Rachael Blackmore

Gentlemansgame

J: Rachael Blackmore
T: M F Morris
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 11-10
OR: 146
Days: 40

Gentlemansgame is largely quite progressive and unexposed. He won last time out, beating a moderate field, so the form of that race has to raise a question mark.

Prior to that, he was winless since hurdles debut in January of 2021. He carries risks, but he seems to be going the right way, slowly, but surely. 

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/12/22LEO21Sft11-121
28/04/22PUN23.5Gd/Y11-103
19/03/22THU23Gd11-51
27/01/22GOW24.5Sft11-57
28/12/21LEO24Sft11-1010