Hi all,
Inside today’s preview I look at the best of Sunday’s action at Punchestown and Exeter.
Punchestown
Galopin Des Champs is set to make his eagerly awaited comeback in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase (2:30) and he will be a short price to make it a winning one.
Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner faces five rivals, four of them stablemates. The only non Willie Mullins trained runner is Fastorslow who beat Galopin Des Champs at the Punchestown Festival in April.
I think Fastorslow win here at the festival has been underestimated by many punters. He’s a genuine Gold Cup horse but I’m thinking he might not be as sharp for today’s race as the favorite. I think Galopin De Champs will make a winning seasonal return.
Betting Insights: Asterion Forlonge at 4/1 Without Galopin Des Champ
Of the rest if you’re thinking of making a bet in the race you could do worse than look at Asterion Forlonge at 4/1 with SkyBet in the without Galopin Des Champs betting. He had a short campaign last season which didn’t get started until March with all four runs coming over hurdles. Back over the larger obstacles for his first start of the new campaign he’s gone well fresh in the past and its only two seasons back when he was giving Allaho a scare before unseating his rider three out in this race. Granted his jumping can let him down, but I think he’s got the talent to win a Grade 1 over fences when everything clicks. His form figures over fences at Punchestown are 1F1U.
Now, if you’re eyeing a bet for the race, Asterion Forlonge at around 4/1 in the without Galopin Des Champs betting might be worth a look. He had a short campaign last season, kicking off in March with all four runs over hurdles. Coming back to the bigger obstacles for his first race this season, he’s been solid fresh before. Just two seasons ago, he was giving Allaho a bit of a run for its money before taking a tumble three fences from the finish in this very race. Sure, his jumping can be a bit sketchy, but when everything clicks, I reckon he’s got the talent to snag a Grade 1 win over fences. Check this out—his track record over fences at Punchestown reads 1F1U.
Imagine Eyes Victory in Graded Test at Punchestown
The other Graded race on the Punchestown card is the Grade 2 BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase (1:55). It looks at mercy off odds on favorite Imagine. The 5-year-old looked natural over fences when making a winning chase debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month. Testing ground seems to suit but I think it will be soft enough for him to make a successful transition to Graded company.
Time to Take on Cesarewitch Winner, The Shunter!
3:00 – Many punters will be expecting Cesarewitch winner The Shunter to make a return to hurdles for the first time since that epic Newmarket win. Sure, you got to give credit, but I’m thinking he can be taken on.
Gabbys Cross was a solid 2nd, just 3 ¾ lengths behind Buddy One at Galway (2m 6f) last month. Buddy One went on to score at Cheltenham, so that form looks pretty rock-solid. Now, back at 3m, the 8-year-old should be right up there again, carrying just 3lb more.
Keep an eye on Shadow Rider too. He finished a 5 ¼ length third to Buddy One in that same Galway hurdle. It was his first run in 10 months since joining his current yard and with a 2lb pull with Gabbys Cross, might just turn the tables.”
But my top bet? Alpesh Amin. He finished a respectable 11 lengths back in the Buddy One race. It was his first run in 7 months, and he wasn’t subjected to the toughest of rides. He closed out last season strong, winning at Limerick (2m 5f) in March. Looks like he can handle 3m, and if he’s not banking on heavy ground, I reckon he’s got a shot at hitting the places here.
Cork
2:50 – This 2m 5f handicap chase could be between top weight En Beton and bottom weight Dundaniel. The first named impressed when winning on chase debut here in December 2021 but hasn’t been seen since finishing well beaten in a Grade 3 at Naas 665 days ago. He could be on a good mark on handicap debut. Dundaniel a dual point winner won a hunter chase here (3m) in April on his first start over regulation fences. He needed his seasonal reappearance here last month and was quickly back to form when a ¾ length 2nd of 14 at Thurles (2m 2 ½ f) 24 days ago. He might well have prevailed at Thurles but for a mistake at the last. He’s 3lb out of the weights here but a 5lb conditional has been booked. The step up trip is a plus and he should be competitive. A the prices I’m just going with him over En Beton.
The best of the action this side of the Irish Sea is at Exeter albeit it’s a moderate card and most of my fancies are at the front end of the betting.
Exeter
In the 1:30 race, trainer Anthony Honeyball had eyed the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton for Kilbeg King, a promising staying handicap hurdler. However, his recent chase debut at Warwick, where he was outpaced by Iroko, raised questions. While Kilbeg King may need a longer distance, a strong performance in the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Exeter could signal his readiness for Kempton at Christmas, especially if the ground is suitably soft.
Several debutants over fences add intrigue to the race, including Venetia Williams’ trained Hermes Du Gouet and two Nicky Henderson-trained novices, Amrons Sage and Issuing Authority. Amrons Sage, is the pick of Nico De Boinville, but don’t discount Issuing Authority, despite being considered the stable’s second string.
Tarahumara’s Hat Trick Bid on The Cards
In the 2:05 race, Nicky Henderson’s King Alexander is likely the favorite for the 2m 2f handicap hurdle. However, my bet is on Tarahumara, aiming for a hat trick after wins at Southwell (May) and Warwick 19 days ago. With a manageable 8lb rise and the step up to 2m 2 ½ f, the 7-year-old could show further improvement.
In the 2:38 race it could pay to concentrate on two last time out winners in Asian Spice and Ito Ditto. The first named got off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles over C&D 16 days ago. The mare is 6lb higher here but remains on a competitive mark. Ito Ditto was another to get off the mark over hurdles for the first time last time when making all for a comfortable success at Chepstow 26 days ago. Up 8lb but is weighted to go close.
Enjoy Your Life Eyes Victory For Venetia Williams
In the 3:10 race Enjoy Your Life, a chase winner when trained in France, jumped soundly and travelled well when a 3 length 2nd of 10 at Wincanton 15 days ago. That was his first start over fences for Venetia Williams and he looks capable of winning this if staying 3m.
Useful hurdler Atlanta Brave was well backed (4/1) to make a winning chase debut at Cheltenham last month. However, he never looked like he would repay his backers and ultimately finished a well beaten 18 length 5th of 9. He might have needed the run last time and is bred to win races over the larger obstacles.
In the concluding 2m 5 ½ f handicap hurdle (3:45). Danton was a ½ length 2nd of 16 to Asian Spice here 16 days ago. That was the lightly raced 6-year-old’s first start for 7 months and the step up from 2m should really suit him. He’s the one to beat on just his second start in handicap company.
His biggest rival could be Portentoso who looked much improved when a 2 length 2nd of 17 at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance 18 days ago. He’s more exposed than Danton but if he performs like he did last time has each-way claims.
Betting Advice:
It’s not a big betting day for me. I’m interested in Asterion Forlonge in the without Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown. However, my idea of the best bet on the Punchestown card though is Alpesh Amin in the Pertemps Series Qualifier (3:00).
The Exeter card looks tricky one with five moderate handicaps but that doesn’t make those puzzles any easier to solve. Most of my fancies are at the front end of the betting and in the end I have just gone with one at the Devon track.
Punchestown
2:30 – Asterion Forlonge – 1pt win – 4/1 in the without Galopin Des Champs betting
3:00 – Alpesh Amin – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cork
2:50 – Dundaniel – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & William Hill
Exeter
1:30 – Kilbeg King – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
These could be my final selection for the month, watch your inbox for updates, if it is let’s hope we can finish on high with a winner.
Cheers
John