Croke’s Mare Looks Overpriced At Punchestown

Minellacelebration didn’t hit the frame for us at Chepstow but I do think he ran better than his finishing position of 5th suggests. He was always playing catch up after Ben Poste lost an iron when making a mistake at the first fence and he had to race a lot further back in the field than is usually the case. He travelled into the race well half a mile from home and at around 3 out it looked as though he was going to produce a big challenge. However, he faded in the final couple of furlongs and ended up in 5th. He is not one to lose faith in yet and he is capable off his current mark.

 

Vanellope looks a huge price for Peter Croke and Harley Dunne.

Tomorrow at Punchestown I like the look of one at a monster price in the 20f maiden hurdle at 15.10 and I think Vanellope is way overpriced for Wicklow based trainer Peter Croke with regular partner Harley Dunne in the saddle claiming 5lb. This daughter of Presenting made a very pleasing return to action after a Summer break at Ballinrobe last time and she travelled and jumped well for a long way before emptying in the closing stages behind the easy Willie Mullins trained winner.

This mare made a big impression on me last season when winning a soft ground 20f bumper at Wexford, springing an apparent surprise by beating long odds on favourite Burren Life. There was no fluke about the win though, as Vanellope travelled all over her rival before kicking clear over 2f out and easing down in the closing stages for a facile victory. She was stepped up into Grade 3 company around here on her next start but she likely found the ground a shade lively that day.

The second favourite in this maiden hurdle, Borderline Chatho, only beat Burren Life by just over a length so on that piece of form there is nothing between him and Vanellope. Peter Croke is far from a household name and that is why this horse is such a big price and if she was trained by Mullins, Elliott or Meade she would be a lot shorter. This obviously looks a very tough race so stakes should be kept to a minimum, but I think odds of 66/1 about Vanellope are an insult to connections and at that price she has to be worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.10 PUNCHESTOWN: VANELLOPE E/W @ 66/1