Wednesday 27 April · Punchestown, Eire
17:20 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
- Distance
- 2m 7f 180y
- Going
- Good to Yielding (Yielding in places)
- Class
- 1
- Prize
- EUR 125000
- Runners
- 11
Race preview
Unbeaten THE NICE GUY was a revelation over an extended 2m7f in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and has had over a month off since those exertions. He drew five lengths clear of Minella Cocooner which was a some performance, particularly as Willie Mullins said afterwards that he shows nothing at home. A horse that keeps improving on the track is certainly one to keep on the right side of. Minella Crooner will be fresh as he was forced to miss Cheltenham. He has two and three quarter lengths to find with Minella Cocooner after being beaten into second by him in the Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. That is feasible, though, as he is two from two in Punchestown. Bardenstown Lad stayed on for third in the Albert Bartlett after hitting a flat spot and cheekpieces could help him. Hollow Games is far from out of it.
| Pos | Horse | Form | Jockey | Trainer | Wgt | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Nice Guy | 1111 | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 11 10 | 15-8 | |
| 2 | Minella Cocooner | 2-12112 | Danny Mullins | W P Mullins | 11 10 | 9-2 | |
| 3 | Meet And Greet | 158-312 | B Browne | O McKiernan | 11 10 | 33-1 | |
| 4 | Bronn | 1-1521 | D A Jacob | W P Mullins | 11 10 | 20-1 | |
| 5 | Hollow Games | 1-11333 | D N Russell | G Elliott | 11 10 | 10-1 | |
| 6 | Ramillies | 586-316 | B J Cooper | W P Mullins | 11 10 | 20-1 | |
| 7 | Journey With Me | 11-11F | Rachael Blackmore | H De Bromhead | 11 10 | 9-1 | |
| - | Bardenstown Lad | 113113 | Brian Hayes | J C McConnell | 11 10 | 16-1 | |
| - | Daily Present | 1-211 | Sean O'Keeffe | P Nolan | 11 10 | 28-1 | |
| - | Good Time Jonny | 316119 | Kevin Sexton | A J Martin | 11 10 | 40-1 | |
| - | Minella Crooner | 1-11212 | Jack Kennedy | G Elliott | 11 10 | 4-1 |