Hi all,
I’m hoping to end the weekend on a high and have selections from Punchestown, Musselburgh and Kempton for you.
The best of Sunday action comes from Punchestown, which features its own Grand National Trial (2.35). On the undercard there’s also a Listed 2m novices hurdle (3:05). The latter race see’s No Flies On Him bid to follow up his recent hurdle debut success.
No Flies On Him looked an excellent prospect when winning at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. He faces different ground to last time but if he handles the more testing ground, I think he wins. There’s also the latest Sunday evening card which takes place at Kempton.
Punchestown
2:35 – QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Listed Race) – 3m 3f
Sixteen have been declared for the Punchestown feature which has €59,000 on offer to the winner. Despite what looks a competitive line-up we have a very short-priced favourite in the Willie Mullins trained We’llhavewan. The 9-year-old won a 3m 1f handicap hurdle at Navan last time and is back over fences for the first time since October 2022. He’s got 21lb lower mark over fences to exploit and given he’s only had three starts over the larger obstacles he could be capable of more progress. You can see why he’s been well backed as he looks a handicap blot if reproducing his improved hurdles form to fences. Paul Townend wouldn’t normally try to get down to 10-0 but he does today.
Stormy Judge was back to form over fences last time when a 8 length 4th of 18 in the valuable Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. He goes well on testing ground, stays well, and provided he didn’t have too hard race in the Thyestes looks the biggest rival to the favourite.
Clonmeen bids for the hat trick after wins at Down Royal and here (3m) 49 days ago. He looked like a thorough stayer last time and looks open to further improvement for a step up to 3m 3f. Very much a contender given he’s got winning form on heavy.
My Immortal goes well around here. He won a handicap hurdle over an extended three miles two years ago and was only neck in a Pertemps Qualifier later in the year. He’s shown aptitude on three starts over the larger obstacles this season and looks handily treated on his handicap chase debut.
Queen Jane has won two of her five starts over fences over much shorter and produced a career best on RPR’s when a head 2nd of 8 to Brides Hill at Fairyhouse (2m 4f) two starts back. Bought down last time at Limerick. She’s of interest for a significant step up in trip and is on a winnable mark if she stays.
Champagne Platinum isn’t the most reliable of horses, but he bounced back to form when winning over hurdles at Gowran Park 24 days ago. On a going day in this race 12 months ago when finishing a 6 ¾ lengths 4th of 12 to Coko Beach and is 5lb lower today.
Frontal Assault put in a poor effort when only 9th in the Thyestes last time. He’s a thorough stayer who finished runner-up in the 2022 Irish Grand National and isn’t handicapped out of this if bouncing back to something like his best. Stablemate Dunboyne ran better than his pulled up effort in the Thyestes Chase suggests. He ran on the worst of the ground that day and paid for it in the closing stages. Provided a hard race hasn’t left its mark he would have claims on a going day. Jack Kennedy deserts Dunboyne in favour of Where It All Began which could be significant. The 8-year-old remains a maiden after seven starts over fences. He looks held by Clonmeen on their running two starts back but the step up to 3m 3f could be what the 8-year-old needs.
Verdict: We could be seeing a handicap blot in the shape We’llhavewan. If he’s as well handicapped as the ante post betting suggests then the others are playing for the place money. That’s not deterring me from taking him on though and it’s just question whether I go two three handed in the race. He three I like most are Stormy Judge, Clonmeen and Queen Jane. The first two named are definite picks but Queen Jane is a bit bigger price than I was expecting which is tempting.
Musselburgh
3:20 – Three lengths separated Captain Quint and Massini Man when the pair where second and third in a C&D handicap chase 15 days ago. The first named gets the addition of the first time cheekpieces and won’t be far away once more. Massini Man is a previous C&D winner, and his form figures around here are 1213. He’s another who needs respecting for a yard among the winners. I find it hard to split the pair so I will go with both.
Kempton
7:00 – The two I like most in this 6f handicap race in the first time headgear.The Engineer couldn’t match the pace of the winner when a 3 ¼ length 2nd of 8 on handicap debut over C&D 46 days ago. The cheekpieces are applied which will hopefully sharpen him up and if they do, he won’t be far away. Roman Emperor also gets the first time cheekpieces. A winner at Southwell three starts back he’s remained in form since finishing runner-up on both starts in handicap company. Same mark as last time and if the headgear can eke out a bit more improvement, can win this. If the prices allow, I’m tempted to go with both but if that’s not the case I’ll just go with Roman Emperor.
Betting Advice:
Punchestown
2:35 – Stormy Judge – 1pt win – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Clonmeen – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Musselburgh
3:20 – Captain Quint – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365 and Massini Man – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365
Kempton
7:00 – Roman Emperor – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John