Hi all,
I’m focusing on day two of the Punchestown Festival and today’s selections and betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.
Punchestown Festival – Day 2
Whisper it but from a quality perspective the Punchestown Festival is two days too long. Many of the races just seem to pad it out. That’s why I don’t think it’s as strong as the Aintree Grand National or even the Dublin Racing Festival.
I get it’s a good way to bring down the curtain on the Irish Jumps season, but three days would make it better. Mind you we do have another clash between Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame in the Punchestown Gold Cup to look forward to later this afternoon.
I’m starting today’s preview by looking at the three Grade 1’s on the card.
Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (5:20)
There are three Grade 1’s on the card. The first of them is the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (5:20). Gaelic Warrior runner-up to stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival will prefer going right handed and can improve for the step up to 3m. He’s clearly the one to beat.
Albert Bartlett runner-up Affordale Fury seemed to appreciate the step up to 3m at Cheltenham last time but could find Gaelic Warrior has too many gears for him at the business end of the race. Has solid enough each way claims though.
Another with each way claims is Salvador Ziggy. The 7-year-old brings excellent handicap hurdle to the race after his 3 ¼ length 2nd of 23 in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival (soft). He’s got plenty of form on a sounder surface too and stays 3m well.
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5:55)
Galopin Des Champs had Bravemansgame 7 lengths behind when winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The runner-up shouldn’t be able to reverse placings with the winner, but today’s race is two furlongs shorter and that will suit Bravemansgame as will better ground.
There’s a chance Ryanair Chase winner Envoi Allen could be best caught fresh. However, he adds further spice to the race. He’s equally effective at 3m and although the big two will be hard to beat he’s not without a chance, if getting into a good rhythm as he did last time.
Fastorslow produced a career best om just his fourth start over fences when neck 2nd of 23 to Grand National hero Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. On ratings he doesn’t seem to have much chance with the big two. However, his Cheltenham run under a big weight makes him a Graded level horse and he only has 6lb to find with Envoi Allen on RPR’s. He could be one for the ‘without the favourite’ market at big odds.
There may only be six runners but it’s an intriguing race. Galopin Des Champs probably wins but I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.
Punchestown Champion Bumper (6:30)
Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share heads the ante post betting.He handled soft ground very effectively at Cheltenham, but better ground could see an even better performance from the flat bred 5-year-old.
Willie Mullins saddles four of the nine runners. Looking at the betting and jockey booking the best of them looks to be Tullyhill. The 5-year-old made an impressive stable debut when winning a Gowran Park bumper last month and looks a smart prospect. It’s For Me was a 5 ¾ length 5th of 21 to A Dream To Share at Cheltenham. He looked in need of further last time and it’s hard to see him beating the winner. We haven’t seen Rath Gaul Boy since he finished a 4 length runner-up to a Dream To Share at Tipperary last May. He’s clearly had his issues given he hasn’t been seen for 11 months but given he’s trained by Willie Mullins he can’t be dismissed.
3:40 – Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f
Jessica Harrington has saddled the winner of this race in 2017 & 2021, so you must respect her runner Mighty Mo Missouri on handicap debut and stepped up to 2m 4f for the first time.No easy task for a juvenile though.
Level Neverending ran a personal best in the first time blinkers when a 6 length 10th of 23 to Good Time Jonny in Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last time. Has his quirks though as he showed last time when hanging left under pressure coming to the last.
La Malmason a winner at Cork on racecourse debut in November. Sheposted a career best on RPR’s when a ½-length 2nd of 9 in novice hurdle here in January. Has plenty of weight for her handicap debut but she still needs respecting.
Unanswered comes into the race in good form having placed in handicap hurdles at Navan and Fairyhouse. The forecast strong pace at this distance will suit the ground versatile 6-year-old and he looks a worthy favourite.
Ballybawn Belter looked like a progressive handicap hurdler when winning at Leopardstown in February, but she failed to build on that success when only 8th of 16 at Fairyhouse. The step up to 2m 4f should suit the mare and I think she can bounce back to form.
Gold Speed, a previous C&D winner, doesn’t have the scope for improvement as those mentioned above. However, the 10-year-old best RPR came here when winning over C&D in September 2020. He went close at Navan on his return from a 525 day layoff in November. Although he hasn’t matched that form on three subsequent starts, he’s on a good mark if reviving and has one of the more experienced Conditionals (Ben Harvey) in the saddle.
Plenty in with a chance. Unanswered comes into the race in good form and is a worthy favourite. Ballybawn Belter is better than she was able to show last time and the step up in trip will suit. Gold Speed has the C&D form in the book and can’t be ruled out a venue that suits. Level Neverending isn’t straightforward, but his Cheltenham form is solid enough and he’s got serious claims.
7:05 – HSS Hire Handicap Chase (Grade A) – 2m 5f
A disappointing turnout of just nine for a race worth €59,000 on offer to the winner.
Ha D’or outclassed behind stablemate El Fabiolo in the Arkle at Cheltenham last time heads the ante post betting. He’s down in calmer water here for his handicap chase debut and Paul Townend takes the ride ahead of two of his stablemates Royal Rendezvous & Egality Mans. He’s on a competitive mark and should go close but at 3/1 I’m happy to take him on.
Royal Rendezvous has failed to fire on three starts in Graded company this season. However, he did win this race last year and now finds himself 5lb lower. It might be that the 11-year-old has gone at the game and Paul Townend deserts him here but if he was to bounce back to form on better ground, he’s well weighted. Egality Mans was a 9 ¼ length 4th of 13 in last year’s race doing his best work at the finish. Lacks consistency but not lacking in talent and is probably on a decent mark but he needs to jump better than he did when falling at Leopardstown last time.
Gallant John Joe is a nine race maiden over fences but seven of those starts have in come in Graded races where he’s predictably been outclassed. He’s only had two starts in handicap chase company failed to stay 3m in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas (11/1) and finished a 7 length 4th of 17 on his handicap chase (2m 5 ½ f) debut at Leopardstown last February. He’s now 6lb lower than last year’s handicap debut. Much better from him back over hurdles here when a 3 length 2nd of 17 in February and given the market support he got in the Paddy Power he’s likely on a good mark.
I started this race preview wanting to take on the likely favorite Ha D’or but given there’s well-being doubts about last year’s winner Royal Rendezvous and jumping concerns with Egality Mans then maybe he’s a good value favourite after all. That all said, I’m still going to take him on.
Betting Advice:
Punchestown
3:40 – Level Neverending – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes Ballybawn Belter – 1pt win -12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Gold Speed – 1pt win – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:55 – Bravemansgame – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:05 – Gallant John Joe – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Egality Mans – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John