The Gordon Elliott-trained Minella Crooner is a confident nap choice for the three-mile Hollywoodbets Powering Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today.
A point winner in Cork for John Nallen, he justified 8/13 favouritism on his racecourse debut for in Sligo back in October. And he followed-up, at 2/9, at Punchestown in November, beating Mister Beeton by six and a half lengths.
Minella Crooner made his hurdling debut in a hot two-and-a-half mile maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas and, although outpaced at the second last, he stayed on stoutly to finish second to Henry de Bromhead’s exciting prospect Journey With Me, beaten three and a half lengths, but denying Grade 1 bumper-winner Kilcruit second spot close home.
Although the fourth Amirite let the form down in Fairyhouse on Saturday, Minella Crooner looked an out-and-out stayer and a sure-fire future winner.
This step-up to three miles should play to his strengths and Jack Kennedy’s mount should deliver at a short price.
In the other maiden hurdle action Joseph O’Brien’s Champion Green, outpointed by Doctor Churchill in Limerick on his second hurdle start, holds every chance in the opening four-year-old contest.
And Limerick Lace, winner of a Punchestown bumper on debut but no match for the classy Brandy Love in Naas last month, might confirm her superiority over Broomfield Hall (third) and Vibrance (fourth) in the mares maiden.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Punchestown
12.50.Champion Green
1.20.Dontdooddson
1.50.Limerick Lace
2.25.Gain De Cause
3.00.Minella Crooner (Nap)
3.35.A Different World
4.05.Brookline
Nexrt Best
12.50.Vera Verto
1.20.The Truant
1.50.Broomfield Hall
2.25.Hgranca De Thaix
3.00.Eye Van
3.35.Excelsior
4.05.Reine Machine
Double : Champion Green and Minella Crooner.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : The Higher Road (3.35.)
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