Catch this one on first try over hurdles in more than three years

Punches Pious
3.15 Thurles
1pt each-way

Seldom has a race attracted so many out-of-form horses than the 2m handicap hurdle (3.15) at Thurles and perhaps Punches Pious could be worth chancing given that he is fit from the Flat and adores heavy ground.

It is confined to the 80-95 bracket, so there were never going to be any stars in the line-up, but it looks a particularly poor contest for the grade and Loch Luatha is the only one who managed to finish closer than fifth last time out.