In My Teens gets the vote over Mode Avion in intriguing Punchestown hurdle

In My Teens won once and finished runner-up in four outings on the flat. Pic: Healy Racing

One of the more interesting races on the card is the Matchbook Betting Podcast 3-Y-O Hurdle, in which Gordon Elliott introduces French bumper winner Mode Avion, and Gavin Cromwell sends In My Teens over hurdles for the first time.

Mode Avion could be anything and the market will reflect expectations, but the application of a tongue-tie is not wildly encouraging and thus the preference is for In My Teens.

Unraced at two, she won once and finished runner-up in her four outings on the Flat, and earned a lofty mark of 98 for her efforts. That is 12lb higher than her admittedly unexposed dam, Jer’s Girl, achieved in three runs on the Flat, and yet she went on to be a two-time Grade One winner over hurdles. In My Teens has all of that potential and today will give a good indication of whether she will be able to scale those heights.

We’re edging into the National Hunt season proper and thus there is no surprise that this afternoon’s action in Punchestown sees some interesting clashes between horses that could take high rank as the season progresses.

In the Matchbook Supporting Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle, two smart bumper horses, Colcannon and Koktail Brut, set out on their hurdling journeys and given the bit of history between them, it is hard not to side with the former.

When winning the Grade Two at the Dublin Racing Festival, Noel Meade’s horse had Koktail Brut two lengths and three places behind him, and there was a swagger to how he won that race.

He is a strong traveller and while there is a small concern that he spent two seasons in bumpers, his stable is in good form and if he jumps with fluency, it will take a classy performer to lower his colours.

Duffys Hodey is the obvious one to concentrate on in the opener, the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase. In a productive 2024/2025 season, Philip Rothwell’s gelding won three times over hurdles, earning a rise up the ratings from 81 to 112, and as he finished the season with a good effort in defeat, there is no reason to believe he found the ceiling of his ability.

Interestingly, he had one outing over fences, in January of last year, and on that occasion, he took advantage of being able to run off his hurdling mark. He was never involved in that race and eventually pulled up, which obviously leaves some question marks but is of obvious advantage to him at this stage.

He has since improved more than 30lb over hurdles, and yet he gets to run off his chase mark of 79. Clearly, he could have a proverbial tonne in hand and won’t need to be fully wound up if he translates his hurdling ability to this sphere.

It is probably a risk trying to take advantage of the mark over a trip at which he is unproven, particularly without a run under his belt this season, but the whole race revolves around him, and it will be fascinating to see how strong he is in the market.

PUNCHESTOWN 

11:55 Duffys Hodey (nb) 

12:30 Coral River 

1:00 Highland Crystal 

1:35 In My Teens (nap) 

2:10 Colcannon 

2:45 Powerful 

3:18 Vitorio Piel 

3:48 Without Exception 

Next best 

11:55 Hay Baby 

12:30 Bridie’s Beau 

1:00 Ann Bulkley 

1:35 Mode Avion 

2:10 Koktail Brut 

2:45 Dont Go Yet 

3:18 Yeshil 

3:48 Accustomed