Impudent looks up to landing novice hurdle

Punchestown Preview: Impudent enjoyed a prolific summer last year and can make her winter mark at Punchestown today where Colm Murphy's mare looks up to landing the novice hurdle.

Barry Geraghty's mount won a maiden hurdle last May, and added three more victories in a cross-code streak that ended with a defeat of Essex on the flat at Tralee in August.

Impudent hasn't been seen since, but Murphy pitches her into a good race that includes another prolific winner in Field Commander, and Jered, who ran fifth to Muirhead in the Grade One Royal Bond on his last start.

Impudent gets a useful-looking 9lb from Field Commander and, despite a six-month absence, she looks one to follow.

Clarnazar drops from Grade Three company to the opening two-and-a-half mile contest, and there was enough in the mare's fourth to Earth Magic at Gowran to suggest she can score under Paul Carberry.

Ruby Walsh's mount Boulavogue should be better suited to the trip in the other two-and-a-half mile hurdle than Hordago, while Happiness Is Free can go one better than his second to Western Gale at the course earlier in the month in the second division of the maiden hurdle.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times