Monday 12 January · Punchestown, Eire

13:18 John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle

Distance: 2m 0f 35y
Going: Soft to Heavy
Class: 0
Prize: EUR 12000
Runners: 9

Race preview

ZUZUKEL was narrowly beaten here in November and has obvious claims. Although a 13-race maiden, the son of Frankel showed some promise on the Flat and produced a much improved jumps performance on his latest start. He is 4lb higher, but his rider claims 4lb. Be Fierce hasn't run since a disappointing chase effort in August, but he has winning hurdles form and is suited by heavy ground. He is rated 7lb higher over fences and should compete on his reappearance. Jumble Light offered more encouragement at Navan last month, while Where Are You Now is open to plenty of progression and debuts in handicaps.

Pos	Horse	Form	Jockey	Trainer	Wgt	SP
1	Be Fierce	171/F49	Mr L P Shanahan	T M Walsh	11 10	10-1
2	Where Are You Now	846	Joshua Halford	E Bolger	11 2	15-8
3	Couldntmakeitup	26U349	Alan O'Sullivan	J Nash	11 6	4-1
4	Jumble Light	448/574	Mr J Dunne	M M McNiff	11 3	5-1
5	Trebizond	F1144/9	Mr R Sugrue	M K Flannery	11 13	12-1
6	Mo Ghille Mar	937/0	Ms K M Ryan	J J Hanlon	11 12	20-1
7	Walk On Annilog	982/576	Mr D Doyle	R Dunne	11 8	4-1
8	Metamorpheus	F40480	Mr C A Bowman	A McNamara	11 10	28-1
9	Black Soul	031/198	Mr B T Stone	Conor Houlihan	12 4	33-1
NR	Zuzukel	F088/82	Mr J Costello	A J Martin	12 1
NR	Hereditary Rule	000U/P0	Mr F R Buckley	J C McConnell	11 10
NR	Eco Pete	7/3P30P	Miss P Elvin	P J Rothwell	11 7
NR	Kilt	906897	Mr B J Walsh	P J Rothwell	10 12