Punchestown Tips for Day 2 – Wednesday 27th April

Day 1 of the festival reminded us that Cheltenham form must be taken with a pinch of salt. Day 2 sees the showpiece of the week with the Punchestown Gold Cup but warms up with some competitive action.   

3.40

The day kicks off with a 2m 3f handicap hurdle. Guiri won this last year for Jessica Harrington and with Charlie O’Dwyers claim, effectively runs here off just 2 pounds higher. Midnight It Is was a winner of a maiden Hurdle last time off on similar ground but preference is given to ROCK ROAD (12/1) who has been off since July but will love the ground and I feel that Jack Foley may have been given first choice of Willie’s here. Market support would be of note.   

4.15

A tricky race with a few of these well matched on previous form. Freedom to Dream ran a strong race in the Martin Pipe and Choice of words also drops in grade having contested the Mares Novice at Cheltenham. SAM’S CHOICE (7/1) has been second on his last 3 starts (twice to Glengouly and once to Freedom to Dream) but is weighted to reverse form and with the ground likely to suit and the trainer in red hot form, could turn the tables here.   

4.50

Fils D’oudaries has been impressive in 2 handicap starts for Nicky Henderson but if this race were in England, he would have more in hand on his Irish Rivals who would be burdened by Handicap Tax. Ganapathi was good in Cheltenham but disappointed last time out and is short enough so a chance is taken on Expensive Recruit CLASSIC GETAWAY (8/1) who bled at Cheltenham but drops in trip here and is a course and distance winner.   

5.20

The Irish Mirror Novice hurdle sees the best 3M Novice hurdlers take on each other again. Paul Townend switches allegiances to Albert Bartlett winner The Nice Guy from runner up Minella Cocooner and I don’t see any reason for that form to reverse. Good Time Johnny, Ramillies and Bardenstown Lad are also held on that form while Journey with Me took a tired fall in the worst of the conditions at Cheltenham and so is best watched on this occasion. A chance is taken on MINELLA CROONER (8/1) to reverse the form from the Dublin Racing Festival where his namesake defeated him by 2 Lengths. 2 wins from 2 at the track (including one course and distance win) and decent good ground form are huge positives if he has recovered from the injury which ruled him out of Cheltenham.    

5.55

Wille Mullins saddles over half the field in the Punchestown Gold Cup, although just one of those are in the top 5 of the betting. Clan Des Obeaux backed up an Aintree win last year with a successful raid on Irish shores and aims to follow up here after what was just 1 pound off a career best performance in Aintree. Minella Indo and Galvin have won at the track, while I have long believed that Fakir D’oudairies was worth another try at 3m. There is just one ALLAHO (15/8) (NAP) shaped obstacle in their way. I see no reason at all why he won’t stay 3m on a flat track at Punchestown and while he is arguably a little better off going left handed, I think he has the perfect mix of speed and stamina to win here.    

6.30

Facile Vega has been faultless in 3 starts and there is every chance he could be a genuine superstar. But this race has thrown up some surprises in the past with only Fayonah and Champagne Fever able to follow up a Cheltenham Champion Bumper win. And if there is to be a surprise, I think it will be REDEMPTION DAY (9/1) rather than American Mike who can turn the hotpot over. It is telling that in every interview about FV before Cheltenham, Willie and Patrick also brought up Redemption Day and I will forgive him for his last run on the basis that I think he is a Good ground horse.      

7.10 

Foxy Jacks sprung a surprise in  this 2½ M Handicap chase last year at 25/1 but comes here off 10 Pounds higher. On that occasion Royal Rendevous was a well beaten 11th and races today off a 7 pound higher rating. His inclusion does help to keep the weight down for a few of his rivals and this may well suit CIEL DE NEIGE (10/3) NB who gets a nice racing weight of just over 11 Stone. He ran a cracker over hurdles at this trip last year and had been very impressive in his first 3 starts over fences before losing his unbeaten streak to a good horse in French Dynamite last time out. Calvary Master’s form is boosted by Hewicks win in the 365 Gold cup but this trip may be on the sharp side for him.         

7.45

We finish Wednesday’s action with a brilliant Mares bumper where there are several intertwining form lines to untangle. Lily Du Berlais spung a 40/1 shock when winning the equivalent race at the DRF, beating off Battling Bessie at 33/1. That horse had been put in her place by the impressive The Model Kingdom  in Navan in October. Back in 5th in the DRF race was the well fancied PINK IN THE PARK (4/1) who was also beaten last time out by Dorans Weir, having being deserted by Patrick Mullins to ride Nikini. Patrick switches allegiances back to the selection here (with Jodie Townend witching onto Nikini) and there was a lot to like about the way she travelled that day. She gets one more chance from me here to rediscover the form that made her 10/1 second favourite for a champion bumper after a hugely impressive debut in Listowel.  

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