Morning all,
Day three of the Punchestown Festival. The stayers take centre stage as Klassical Dream bids to retain his Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle crown (5.25). It won’t be easy as he faces the likes of Paisley Park and recent Aintree score Sire Du Berlais.
The second Grade 1 on an eight-race card is the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (6.35), could see impressive Maghull Novices’ Chase winner Gentleman De Mee crowned the best 2m novice chaser in Britain or Ireland. The Willie Mullins trained 6-year-old takes on six rivals, including three from his own yard and Arkle runner-up Gabynako.
Punchestown Festival – Day 2
If like me you like big field handicaps, today is your day at the festival as there are four of them on today’s card.
3:40 – Specialist Joinery Group Handicap Hurdle – 2m
Recent Fontwell winner Gin Coco could be well treated for his handicap hurdle debut and he’s open to further progress. The top-weight handled good ground well last time but this much bigger field will ask another question of the 6-year-old.
Henry De Bromhead had a handicap hurdle winner here yesterday so you have to Hide And Seek high on the shortlist. The mare got of the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt at Tramore 18-daya ago. She clearly goes well on a sound surface and is another open to further progress in handicap company.
Ideal Pal also got off the mark over hurdles for the first time on his last start. It was a clear best over hurdles for him in his handicap hurdle debut at Fairyhouse 10-days ago The 6-year-old is 8lb higher now but has the size and scope for more improvement over hurdles.
Jessica Harrington has saddled the winner of this race three times since 2014 and she has a lively contender in Only Sky. A winner on the flat the 4-year-old got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt when winning a Cork maiden last month. The progressive filly got up in the final strides that day and should be suited by today’s likely stronger pace.
Luke Short has placed on all three starts over hurdles. He’s improved on each of his starts and should do well in handicap hurdles on a sound surface. Returned form a 5-month absence with run on the flat in last month’s Irish Lincolnshire. Will be sharper with that run under his belt and should go well.
4:15 – Pigsback.com Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m
Mt Leinster overcome some less than fluent jumping to win a similar handicap chase at Fairyhouse 11-days ago. It was his class that got him home last time. He’s been raised 6lb for his last success but has a touch of class and if he can get his jumping together there should be more to come from him over fences. Grange Walk was just in the lead and looked to be going as well as Mt Leinster when falling two out. Provided his confidence hasn’t been dented by that mishap he’s got to go close being 5lb better off with Mt Leinster today. Magic Daze looks to be on a good mark on her handicap chase debut. The mare putting in a good jumping display for novice when winning a Cork beginners chaser back in November. She was thrown in the deep end in the Arkle Chase (12/1) last time. Far to keen out in front after a three-month layoff and once headed three out was quickly beaten.
5:25 – Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7 ½ f
Klassical Dream travelled smoothy in the Stayer Hurdle at Cheltenham but was awkward at the last and was run out of the places to eventually finish fifth. He won this race 12 months ago and with a prominent ride the favourite the one to beat.
Paisley Park finished two places and 2 ¼ lengths in front of Klassical Dream at Cheltenham. He’s entitled to go close here but on this speedier track I fancy a back to form favourite can finish in front today.
Sire Du Berlais bounced back to his best when winning a Grade 1 at Aintree last time and will need to be at that level of form to win this.
TheDevilscoachman put in a career best over hurdles when winning the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan last time. The step up to 2m 5f suited the 6-year-old that day. Stamina for 3 miles not certain and he may need softer ground than likely today.
Gentlemansgame finished a 12-length 2nd of 8 to Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 novice hurdle (3m) here 12 months ago. Just the three starts this season he put a personal best when winning 5-runner minor event at Thurles (good) last month. Goes well on a sound surface and has each way claims.
Another with each way claims is Ashdale Bob. A double Grade 2 winning novice last season has run well on his last two starts over hurdles finishing a head second to TheDevilscoachman at Navan before finishing a 5½ length 3rd of 23 in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
6:00 – Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 2m 7 ½
With 25 runners this handicap hurdle looks the most competitive race on today’s card. You can make a very strong case for nine or ten of the runners.
Nicky Henderson runs two. They are recent Ayr winner City Chief who showed he’s a strong stayer when finding plenty for pressure when successful last time. He’s a chaser in the making but shouldn’t be far away here. Henderson also saddles the Bomber Liston who was excellent form in the autumn winning a Uttoxeter novice hurdle before improving again to finish a nose 2nd of 11 on his handicap hurdle debut at Plumpton. First try beyond 2m 4 ½ f but he’s open to further improvement and if stays this longer trip is set to go close.
Macs Charm comes into the race bidding for the four timer. Forging clear of his 10 rivals at Naas last time. He’s been hiked up 12lb for his latest success but might well not have reached his ceiling just yet. Looks a strong stayer and there should be more improvement to come from for today’s longer trip.
Bugs Moran got off the mark at the fifth attempt when winning a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle over an extended 3m. He’s up 7lb for his Fairyhouse win but is going the right way, his stamina is assured and he’s very effective on a sound surface.
Another improving handicapper is Sparkling Stars. A winner of two of his last three starts. The 7-year-old put in a career best on RPR’s when winning at Limerick three weeks ago. He’s 7lb higher here but is going the right way and if he stays this new distance won’t be far away.
Previous C&D winner Sassy But Classy hasn’t had the best of fortune on her three starts since winning here. She unseated her rider at the first at Navan before finishing a neck 2nd of 21 back at that venue two weeks later. Well fancied, returned only 9/1, for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham but she was bought down at the fourth that day. Gordon Elliott takes a handy 7lb off the mares back which gives her a good chance.
A Great View won this race in 2018 which was also his last win. The 11-year-old holds no secrets from the handicapper but he’s been running well in big field handicaps this season and although he’s on a long losing run, he is 7lb below his last winning mark and can be discounted. If he gets a strong pace to chase, he can get into the places.
6:35 – Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) – 2m
Gentlemen De Mee so impressive when seeing off Arkle winner Edwardstone at Aintree is the one to beat here. A relative test of speed suits the 6-year-old well. Although he may face competition for the lead today, he’s a worthy favourite and the one to beat.
Gabynako justified connections decision to supplement him for the Arkle when finishing 4 ¼ length 2nd of 11 to Edwardstone at Cheltenham. He’s respected on that running and will like the ground but might be best coming off a strong gallop.
Besides the favourite Willie Mullins also saddles Blue Lord, Haut En Couleurs, and Saint Sam. Blue Lord finished 3 ½ lengths behind Gabynako in the Arkle. Haut En Couleurs beat Gentlemen De Mee on his chase debut. However, he hasn’t really built on that promise on two subsequent starts including when a 16 ½ length sixth in the Arkle last time.
Saint Sam a winner on his chase debut at Fairyhouse. He’s since finished a 4 ¼ length 3rd of 6 to Blue Lord at Leopardstown and then was hampered and unseated his jockey at the 4th in the Arkle last month. He remains with potential as a chaser. Although may need further than 2m in Grade 1 company.
Betting Advice:
3:40 – 1pt win – Ideal Pal – 13/2 – Gen and 1pt win – Luke Short – 8/1 @ Bet365
6:00 – 1pt win – The Bomber Liston – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes 1pt win – Sparkling Stars – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – A Great View – 16/1 @ Bet365
6:35 – 1pt win – Saint Sam – 9/1 @ Bet365
Punchestown
Cheers
John