Agameoftwohalves Favored in Punchestown Maiden Hurdle
The ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown on , is shaping up to be an intriguing contest, with Gordon Elliott’s Agameoftwohalves installed as the clear favorite. Betting forecasts currently place the five-year-old gelding at 9/4, according to the Racing Post.
The 2m 3f 17y hurdle race, scheduled for 14:13 at Punchestown, features a field of seven runners and is open to horses aged four and over. The going is currently described as soft to heavy, and the track surface is turf. The winner’s prize is €7,200.
Agameoftwohalves, ridden by M.P. Walsh, carries a weight of 11-12 and an Official Rating (OR) of 110. Formscan analysis by Michael Graham, as reported by irishracing.com, suggests the horse could be well-suited to this maiden hurdle. Graham notes that Agameoftwohalves showed promise with sixth-place finishes in big fields at Navan and Naas, followed by a fourth-place effort behind an impressive winner at Fairyhouse.
However, the competition will be stiff. Can Happen, a six-year-old gelding also carrying 11-12 and an OR of 110, is listed at 7/2 in the betting forecast. Ridden by Mr. T.E. O’Connor and trained by Mark Fahey, Can Happen previously finished 7th of 21 at Punchestown in November, in a heavy ground maiden hurdle. According to Sky Sports Racing form profiles, the horse was in touch mid-division after the second, but faded before the third.
Good Option, another six-year-old with the same weight and OR, is also at 7/2. Trained by G.P. Cromwell and ridden by K.M. Donoghue, Good Option finished 7th of 25 at Naas in January, trailing the winner by 26 1/2 lengths. Sky Sports Racing notes the horse was pushed along entering the straight but made no impression.
Loyal Praetorian, a six-year-old gelding trained by Gerard Kelleher and ridden by L.M. Kelleher, is considered a contender at 6/1. The horse finished 5th of 11 at Thurles in January, according to Sky Sports Racing, and was described as keeping on one pace into the final run-in.
Kashchei, a six-year-old gelding, is priced at 15/2. Ridden by Mr. E. Staples and trained by C.M. Collins, Kashchei finished 7th of 12 at Navan in January, 15 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Sky Sports Racing reports a slight mistake at the seventh fence and a steady pace towards the finish.
Harpy Eagle, a five-year-old gelding, is at 8/1. Ridden by Mr. P.J. Cody and trained by R.P. Cody, Harpy Eagle finished 5th of 11 at Naas in January, 25 3/4 lengths behind the winner. The Sky Sports Racing profile notes the horse was not fluent at the fifth fence.
Bringing up the rear in the betting is Peppers Corner, a seven-year-old gelding at 25/1. Ridden by P.T. Enright and trained by Edward F. Power, Peppers Corner finished 12th of 14 at Punchestown in January, well behind the leader. Sky Sports Racing reports the horse was always towards the rear and never a factor.
The racecard indicates that high numbers may have an advantage, with a noted draw bias towards horses starting on the outside. The ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk Maiden Hurdle is the fourth race on the Punchestown card for , following races at 12:28, 13:03, and 13:38, and preceding races at 14:48, 15:23, and 15:58.
Computer tips from Sky Racing World suggest The Goffer, Conflated, and Vanillier are strong contenders in the earlier P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Steeplechase, the first race of the day. However, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the maiden hurdle as punters assess the chances of Agameoftwohalves and his rivals.
