Punchestown Festival: Jer’s Girl a likeable lass for Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle

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.