Punchestown Festival: Jer’s Girl a likeable lass for Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle
Published:
David Metcalf | April 28, 2016
Jer’s Girl can give boys a beating in Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle
Jer’s Girl scored in terrific style last time out and can make the most of the weights she receives from her rivals to land the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle on day four of the Punchestown Festival (18:05).
The Gavin Cromwell trained mare has won three of her five starts over the obstacles and also ran a blinder in defeat when runner-up to Apples Jade at Leopardstown.
Jer’s Girl went down by a head after a mistake at the last, and the winner has since gone on to finish a fine runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before landing a Grade 1 contest at Aintree by an incredible 41 lengths.
Hefty weight allowance
That is very strong form, and Jer’s Girl comes into the contest having bolted up by 12 lengths in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse.
The four-year-old also receives a hefty 18lb age and sex allowance from all her rivals, and on adjusted ratings that puts Jer’s Girl 12lb and upwards clear of the field.
It is going to make the JP McManus owned daughter of Jeremy very tough to beat, and another plus is that connections bypassed Cheltenham and Aintree to keep Jer’s Girl fresh for this.
O O Seven not to be underestimated
The Willie Mullins trained trio of A Toi Phil, Disko and Thomas Hobson command plenty of respect, but O O Seven looks a lively outsider and could well prove to be the biggest danger to Jer’s Girl.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, six-year-old O O Seven has won three of his five starts over hurdles.
O O Seven also ran very solid race when a 2 1/4 length runner-up to Yorkhill in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, and the form of that race has worked out well, with the winner going on to land Grade 1 contests at Cheltenham and Aintree.
The third home Agrapart, who finished eight lengths behind O O Seven, has also gone on to land an ultra-competitive handicap at Newbury to give the form a solid look in the contest of this contest.
Related
There’s more Punchestown Festival betting tips and race previews on our dedicated page.
Coral’s top tip: Jer’s Girl receives lumps of weight from her rivals and is going to be hard to beat. O O Seven looks a lively outsider on the pick of his form.
