Punchestown Festival: A Genie in Abottle can shine for Meade
David Metcalf | April 26, 2016
A Genie In Abottle value in Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle
A Genie In Abottle impressed last time out and looks decent each-way value in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle on day two of the Punchestown Festival (16:55).
The gelding won his sole start in an Irish point at Bartlemy in good style, and shaped with promise when third in a bumper at Leopardstown on debut for trainer Noel Meade.
A Genie In Abottle then showed the benefit of that experience when landing a bumper at Naas in determined fashion, before making a winning debut over hurdles at the same venue last month.
The five-year-old made a mistake four from home before making stealthy headway two out to take up the running at the last and forge clear om the run-in to beat Call It Magic by 3 1/2 lengths.
Form ties in well
It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested A Genie In Abottle needing keeping firmly onside.
The runner-up had also ran well earlier in the season to finish an 8 1/4 length third to Acapella Bourgeious who is fancied by many for this contest.
On a line through Call It Magic there is not much between the pair, especially as A Genie In Abottle remains totally unexposed and open to any amount of improvement.
This does represent a big step up in class, but Meade does not go tilting at windmills and clearly holds the son of Beneficial in high regard.
Bourgeois has a progressive profile
Bellshill commands plenty of respect judged on his latest effort when runner-up at Aintree but hasn’t always impressed with his jumping, and the aforementioned Acapella Bourgeois could well prove the biggest danger to the selection.
Trained by Sandra Hughes, the six-year-old is a really likeable type who has a progressive profile and has won three of his five starts over the obstacles.
The last two of those successes have come in Grade 2 company, and Acapella Bourgeois showed a tremendous attitude last time out over 2m 4f Fairyhouse when staying on strongly to prevail by a neck from Nambour.
Judged on the way the son of Network finished off the race, the step up to 3m in this looks sure to suit.
Although Acapella Bourgeois now steps up in class, he is clearly on an upward curve and looks the type who should have even more to offer.
Related
Check out our horse racing archive, and more specifically our dedicated Punchestown section.
Coral’s top tip: The unexposed A Genie In Abottle looks decent each-way value in a competitive renewal. Acapella Bourgeois is feared most.
