Hi all,
A veritable feast of action under both codes over the next five days. It all starts today with day one of the Punchestown Festival. It’s not only Punchestown though. It’s also Guineas weekend at Newmarket on Saturday and Sunday.
There are plenty of superstars in action over the next few days and we have some mouth-watering clashes to look forward to and two of them are today. Runaway Ryanair winner Allaho drops to 2m in the William Hill Champion Chase (5:25) and faces specialist two milers in stablemate Chacun Pour Soi and Nube Negra. Later, in the card Monkfish takes on Envoi Allen Champion Novice Chase (6:30).
I have had a look at the Grade 1’s although from a betting perspective I’m more drawn to the handicap races.
Punchestown Festival – Day 1
3:40 – Have The Conversation Say Yes To Organ Donation Novice Handicap Hurdle – 2m ½ f
Not a race to get to heavily involved in. Fighting Fit has won two of his five starts over hurdles this season and wasn’t disgraced when 3rd of 20 in a similar race at Fairyhouse last time. He’s vulnerable to any unexposed horses in the field but should give his running, if as effective on drier ground.
Light Brigade comes into the race on a hat trick after making a winner handicap debut at Naas last time. He’s been raised 9lb for that success but he’s only had four starts over hurdles and is open more improvement.
Clever Currency made all to win a Limerick maiden hurdle 12-days ago. In form and could do better going handicapping for the first time. Although won’t find it easy to dominate this field.
Ya Ya Baby beat Clever Currency last time out and has to be respected given that was only a third start over hurdles. Capable of better on her handicap debut but this is no easy task for a 4-year-old.
Hallowed Star is another open to plenty of improvement for going handicapping for the first time. After winning a Tipperary bumper last summer trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon told the Racing Post, “I think this lad is very special. I’ll go as far as saying he’s the best I’ve had since Hidden Cyclone or any of them. If he’s right the 6-year-old would be thrown in off a mark of 112.
Great Bear is 0-7 over hurdles but he’s run some good races since going over the obstacles, including when 4th of 20 in hot handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse 24-days ago. Today’s ground suits and the top-weight won’t be far away.
1pt win – Hallowed Star – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Great Bear – 11/1 @ Bet365
4:15 – eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m ½ f
A disappointing field of just five runners go to post for the first of the Grade 1 contests. It looks a match between the Willie Mullins pair of Echoes Of Rain & Blue Lord. The first named has won both her last two starts in Grade 2 company and is an improving novice hurdler. Blue Lord looked booked for second when falling at the last at in the Supreme at Cheltenham last time.
4:50 – Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 2m ½ f
Twenty-five are set to go post for this valuable handicap hurdle and plenty have a chance.
Magic Tricks put in a career best when 2nd of 20 at Fairyhouse 24-days ago. That was the 5-year-old’s first start in handicap company and he looks sure to land a race like this before to long.
Back in third in the Fairyhouse race was Ruaille Buaille. At the revised weights there shouldn’t be much between the pair here. Although Magic Tricks could be open to more progress.
Jazzaway is having her first start since finishing runner-up to recent Pertemps Final winner Mrs Milner at Galway. Returns from a 272-day break here but her Galway effort came off a 200-day lay off so she can go well fresh.
Gentlemen De Mee was sent off the 4/1 favourite for the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. He travelled powerfully out in front but those early exertions took their toll and he faded coming to the last. The drop back to 2m should suit and he remains with potential.
Jesse Evans makes his handicap debut off what looks a workable mark. Both career wins have come on good ground. Trainer Noel Meade saddled the winner of this race in 2015.
Cayd Boy ran better than his 13th of 25 in the County Hurdle suggests. That was the top-weight’s first run for 100-days and could well have just needed the run. Had been in good form coming into Cheltenham and totally be dismissed.
Arcadian Sunrise was another who ran better than his final position suggests at eighth here last suggests. He helped to strong pace that day but was still going well coming to the home turn before fading. The drop back to 2m is a positive and he’s on a competitive looking mark for his handicap debut.
1pt win – Ruaille Buaille – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Magic Tricks – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:25 – William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) – 2m
Seven are set to go post for the race of the day. Willie Mullins has the front two in the betting.
Allaho blew away his rivals putting in superb round of jumping to win the Ryanair. Looks worth a try back to 2m. The one to beat if he can he replicate his Ryanair Chase form against specialist two milers.
Chacun Pour Soi was a hot favourite to win the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but found less than expected coming up the hill and had to settle for third. A previous C&D winner this track suits him better than Cheltenham.
Nube Negra comes over from England and he’s worth his place in the line-up after taking second place off Chacun Pour Soi in the Champion Chase. He was finishing his race best of all that day and was a shade unlucky not to win.
First Flow was only sixth in the Champion Chase but he didn’t seem to handle the track at all. He’s better judged on his Grade 1 success in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot two starts back. Needs respecting back right-handed but his best form has come on more testing ground than likely today.
6:30 – Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase – 3m ½ f
Just four go to post and three are trained by Willie Mullins. However, they do include Monkfish & Envoi Allen.
Monkfish maintained his unbeaten record over fences when winning at Cheltenham. Stays well and could get the run of the race out in front.
Envoi Allen lost his unbeaten record when falling at the fourth in the Marsh Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time. First run beyond 2m 5f but he should stay 3m. Cheltenham aside he’s 3-3 with good in the going description.
Improving mare Colreevy made it 4-4 over fences when winning the new Mares Chase at Cheltenham. Getting the mares allowance brings her into the mix here. She’s 3-3 at Punchestown and provided the ground isn’t too quick I can see her running a big race.
1pt win – Colreevy – 7/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John