2:32 Punchestown
This 13-runner K-Mech Mechanical Handicap Chase over 2m4f55y at Punchestown on good to yielding ground looks a competitive affair in which several high-class performers line up. The KTB Fit ratings identify a clear top five, headed by the selection Me Wee Bonnie Lass on 71, with The Gradual Slope, Jalila Moriviere, Captain Conby and El Champo all rated in the mid-50s to mid-60s. Official ratings are tightly bunched, with several horses boasting RPRs between 135 and 142, underlining the depth on show in a genuinely-run contest.
How the race shapes up
A front-runner is likely to be pressed by several handy types in what is expected to be a genuinely-run race that will pose a fair test. Jalila Moriviere tends to make the running or race prominently, while El Champo, Vaureal, Karoline Banbou and Ocastle Des Mottes are all usually to the fore or handy. In contrast, the selection Me Wee Bonnie Lass is typically held up and produces her effort late, as do The Gradual Slope, Mister Pink, He's Gorgeous, Dutch Schultz and Listentillitellyea. The key question is whether those racing prominently can maintain their effort in a race that should be truly-run or if the hold-up performers will be able to close effectively.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Me Wee Bonnie Lass KTB Selection71/100RPR 139 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 2The Gradual Slope66/100RPR 135 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 3Jalila Moriviere64/100RPR 140 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 4Captain Conby57/100RPR 136 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 5El Champo56/100RPR 141 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 6Mister Pink56/100RPR 135 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 7Vaureal56/100RPR 142 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 8He's Gorgeous56/100RPR 142 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 9Glenashling56/100RPR 136 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 10Dutch Schultz55/100RPR 136 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 11Listentillitellyea54/100RPR 137 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 12Karoline Banbou53/100RPR 133 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 13Ocastle Des Mottes52/100RPR 134 — field comparison calculated at page load
The contenders
Me Wee Bonnie Lass KTB Fit 71/100
Me Wee Bonnie Lass is a high-class mare who arrives in excellent order after two wins in her last three starts and holds an RPR of 139. She has won on good to yielding ground and at today's trip though her record at this distance reads just 1-9. Punchestown form is limited to a placed effort from one run while trainer Gavin Cromwell has a solid 12% strike rate here from a large sample. The combination of trainer and jockey shows a 6/30 record with an A/E of 1.19. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she looks well suited to a race that should be run at a proper gallop. Recent form of 67P21- underlines her current momentum.
The Gradual Slope KTB Fit 66/100
The Gradual Slope is a high-class performer on his day with solid recent evidence of ability and a career-high RPR of 135. He has won over course and distance though his overall strike rate at this trip is modest at 1 from 16 and he has been inconsistent of late. The trainer has a 12 percent strike rate from 57 runs at Punchestown while the jockey has limited experience here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the anticipated genuine pace. His recent form reads PP041- and he returns to a track where he has shown his best.
Jalila Moriviere KTB Fit 64/100
Jalila Moriviere is a high-class mare who ran to a peak RPR of 140 when third in a strong handicap at this track last season. She has placed both starts here and showed she handles good to yielding ground when winning her only previous run on it. Stepping up from 2m to 2m4f today asks a fresh question but her placed effort at the trip earlier in her career suggests she should cope. Tends to make the running or race on the pace, she is likely to be prominent in a race that is set to be genuinely-run. The yard boasts a 23% strike rate at Punchestown from a huge sample.
Captain Conby KTB Fit 57/100
Captain Conby is a high-class performer on his day with a solid career record and an RPR of 136 to his name. He has won twice from six starts at Punchestown and steps up in trip today having already scored twice at this distance though his three runs on good to yielding ground have produced no win or place. The trainer holds an 11% strike rate from 203 runs here while the horse returns from a break. Typically settles in midfield, he will look to pick up the pieces if the leaders go hard. Recent form of 1233/6 shows he has been competitive at this level.
El Champo KTB Fit 56/100
El Champo is a high-class performer on his best days with an RPR of 141 and Topspeed of 129 but has been disappointing lately with three pulled-up efforts in his last five starts. He has shown little at this track from three runs and the trainer's modest 4% strike rate from 639 rides at Punchestown adds little confidence. He has won on good to yielding ground and at today's trip though both are proven positives. Usually races handily, on or close to the lead, he could be involved early in what is expected to be a strong gallop. Recent form of 43PP9- highlights his current inconsistency.
The rest of the field
Mister PinkKTB Fit 56/100
Mister Pink looks high-class on his best figures and has won over this trip and at this track. He has been below form on his last two starts though and has never placed on good to yielding ground from two attempts. The trainer's modest 8% strike rate from 194 runs at Punchestown adds a note of caution. Usually held up, his recent form is 2/5-54.
VaurealKTB Fit 56/100
Vaureal is a high-class performer on his best days with RPR 142 and Topspeed 139 to his name. He has two placed efforts at this trip from ten attempts and returns from a break having shaped well in stronger races over further last season. Punchestown has not been kind with two fifths from as many starts while the trainer remains winless from 38 runs at the track and this ground has yet to bring a win or place. Usually races handily.
He's GorgeousKTB Fit 56/100
He's Gorgeous is a high-class performer on his best days with an RPR of 142 and Topspeed of 132 but has been inconsistent lately and was pulled up on his most recent start. He has shown some competitiveness on good to yielding ground without winning and is dropping back in trip today having been placed at this distance in the past. The first-time headgear is an interesting addition for a horse with only one previous run at this track where he finished fifth. Usually held up.
GlenashlingKTB Fit 56/100
Glenashling is a high-class performer on his best days with an RPR of 136 and has shown consistent placed form including a second at this track. He steps up in trip today having failed to win in one previous try at this distance and his record on good to yielding ground is only modest with one placing from five starts. The Cromwell yard has a solid 12% strike rate here from a big sample while Buckley takes the ride. Typically settles in midfield.
Dutch SchultzKTB Fit 55/100
Dutch Schultz is a high-class performer with solid ratings who has placed on both previous runs at Punchestown. Steps up in trip today having won once from 12 starts at this distance and shown one win and two places from six runs on good to yielding ground. Gavin Cromwell has a 12% strike rate from 552 runs at the track while Alix Balfe is on board. Usually held up.
ListentillitellyeaKTB Fit 54/100
Listentillitellyea is a high-class performer who has a solid career record and remains capable on his best days but has been below form on his last two starts. He has placed five times from eight runs at Punchestown without winning and is competitive on good to yielding ground having placed three times from eight starts. The step up in trip is an unknown at this stage of his career while the yard's modest 5% strike rate here adds a note of caution. Usually held up.
Karoline BanbouKTB Fit 53/100
Karoline Banbou is a high-class mare who has posted two seconds and a fall in graded company over shorter trips. She steps up to 2m4f for the first time today having looked stretched at 2m last time and her sole run at this trip brought no success. Trainer Willie Mullins has a 23% strike rate from 2842 runs at Punchestown while the horse herself has only a seventh to show from her one start here. Usually races handily.
Ocastle Des MottesKTB Fit 52/100
Ocastle Des Mottes is a high-class performer who has shown strong form at this track with a second-place finish from two runs. The step up in trip today poses a fresh question after his last run over 2m1f though he has placed once at this distance without winning. Mullins holds a 23% strike rate from 2842 runs at Punchestown while the 7yo remains unproven on good to yielding ground. Usually races handily.
KTB verdict
Me Wee Bonnie Lass stands out as the KTB Selection. A high-class mare in excellent order with two wins from her last three starts and an RPR of 139, she has the right profile for a race that should be run at a genuine pace given her held-up style. She has already shown she handles good to yielding ground and the trip, and the Cromwell yard's record at the track adds further confidence. The main dangers are Jalila Moriviere, who brings a peak RPR of 140 and front-running style, and The Gradual Slope, who has won over course and distance on his day. Captain Conby and El Champo cannot be entirely dismissed on their best figures but both come with risks.
KTB Selection Me Wee Bonnie Lass
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 06:05 UTC, 7 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Me Wee Bonnie Lass | 4/1 | BetTom |
| The Gradual Slope | 12/1 | BresBet |
| Jalila Moriviere | 4/1 | Bet365 |
| Captain Conby | 14/1 | Bet365 |
| El Champo | 40/1 | BetTom |
| Mister Pink | 18/1 | BresBet |
| Vaureal | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| He's Gorgeous | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Glenashling | 12/1 | BresBet |
| Listentillitellyea | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Karoline Banbou | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| Ocastle Des Mottes | 7/1 | BresBet |
This is the narrative read of the 2:32 Punchestown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Punchestown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip from 2m and has the strongest trainer record at Punchestown?
Jalila Moriviere and Karoline Banbou are both stepping up from 2m; trainer W P Mullins has a 23% strike rate at Punchestown from 2842 runs.
How many principals are typically held up in running?
Two of the top five principals are usually held up: Me Wee Bonnie Lass and The Gradual Slope.
Which horse is making its debut in first-time headgear?
He's Gorgeous is wearing first-time headgear.
Who has the highest RPR in the field and what is that figure?
Vaureal and He's Gorgeous both have an RPR of 142, the highest in the field.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Punchestown among those represented?
W P Mullins has a 23% strike rate at Punchestown from 2842 runs.
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