Punchestown Stayers' Hurdle Guide 2022

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.