Hi all,
A good three days so far at the Punchestown Festival. Let’s hope I can maintain it on Friday.
A very busy week or so coming up. The final two days of the Punchestown, Qipco Guineas Weekend at Newmarket and on Wednesday it’s three days of action at Chester’s May Festival. Today’ selections are once again from Punchestown.
The preview is earlier than normal because there are some standout early prices worth taking.
Punchestown Festival – Day 4
4:15 – EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A) – 2m
Top -weight Asterion Forlange’s last three runs have come in Grade 1 company, including a career best when 5 lengths 3rd of 8 to Chantry House at the Cheltenham Festival. The class horse of the race but he hasn’t looked natural over fences and his jumping will be tested in this big field. I can let him win at around 11/4 in what looks a competitive race.
Besides Asterion Forlange Willie Mullins also saddles Fan De Blues. The 6-year-old is an eight-race maiden over fences but seems to be getting the hang of it. Put in a career best effort when an 8½ lengths second of 14 to Montagne d’Argent in handicap at Gowran Park last time. Stays 2m 2f and looks worth another go at today’ distance. Can win off his present mark when everything clicks.
JP McManus has a couple of big contenders in Dostal Phil & School Boy Hours.
Dostal Phil arguably put in career best effort when 2 ¼ length third of 18 in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree last time. The runner-up Sully D’Oc Aa gave the form of that race a major boost when winning a handicap here yesterday. Stays 2m 2f but 2m 5f is a bit of an unknown. On the plus side trainer Philip Hobbs brought over Wishful Thinking to win this race in 2011 and Simon Torrens has been booked to take off a handy 3lb.
School Boy Hours is 0-8 over fences but has placed five times. Hasn’t quite lived up to early expectations over fences but its too early to write the 8-year-old off as he looks on a winnable mark. Stays 3m, so no stamina issues and I can see him going close.
1pt win – Dostal Phil – 15/2 @ Bet365
1pt win – School Boy Hours – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Fan De Blues – 14/1 @ Bet365
4:50 – Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 5f
Demi Plie 3 wins from 9 runs over fences put in a career best effort when 1¼ lengths 2nd of 5 to Elimay in a Mares’ Listed race at Fairyhouse 27-days ago. This is just her third start since September and this has likely been the plan. Capable of going close if reproducing anything like her last run.
Jessica Harrington has saddled the winner of this race twice since 2014. She runs Magic Of Light who the race in 2018 and unseated her rider at the 4th in the Grand National. Not of it at the weights but probably needs further these days.
The other Harrington runner Rapid Response is interesting. The 7-year-old looked to be returning to winning form when a 4 ½ length 3rd of 12 at Fairyhouse 25-days ago. On a workable mark and won’t be far away.
1pt win – Demi Plie – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Rapid Response – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:25 – Paddy Power Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
It’s hard to see Honeysuckle being beaten here. The only negative is the form of the Henry De Bromhead yard. If she is below her best the one that could take advantage is the quirky but very talented Goshen. He clearly needs to go right-handed and I can see him running a good race. However, he does need the favourite to underperform to win. The 14/1 available with Bet365 & Ladbrokes looks to tempting to ignore.
1pt win – Goshen – 14/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
6:00 – Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 4f
Bob Olinger and Gaillard Du Mesnil finished first and second in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. There is no reason why the runner-up will reverse placing with the winner here but once again the form of the yard is a concern.
7:05 – SalesSense International Novice Hurdle – 2m
I like the claims of the J P McManus pair Dreamsrmadeofthis & Get My Drift. The former looked an exciting prospect when winning a Cork maiden Hurdle 36-days ago. That was a great effort from the filly on her racecourse debut and she will surely improve further with racing. J P’s retained jockey Mark Walsh who rode the 4-year-old last time opts for Get My Drift. The 5-year-old looked useful when winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle over Christmas. Returned from a 3-month break when 4th of 8 to Ashdale Bob in a 2m 4f Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time. Ultimately well beaten but shaped better than his final position suggests as, he was still going ok when hampered by a faller three out.
1pt win – Dreamsrmadeofthis – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Get My Drift – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John