Free betting tips for Punchestown Festival
Man On The Spot's race-by-race guide and best bets for Wednesday's meeting at Punchestown.
Wednesday's Punchestown nap:
3.40 Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle
The consistent Nobody Home likes a thorough test of stamina over this trip, which he got when scoring at Fairyhouse on Irish National day. He'd earlier been beaten five lengths behind Brave Out at Wexford but the winner didn't perform as well at Downpatrick next time and Ed Crawley's charge can gain his revenge. ICANTSAY last ran over hurdles at Navan in November where he gained an easy success. He's run in two tough handicaps over fences subsequently and, back over timber, can return to winning ways. Caro Des Flos has never won and makes his handicap debut but Willie Mullins has other chances with Steel Wave possibly the best of them as he should be at his peak after returning from a long break. Thirsty Work has been chasing without much success and hasn't lived up to the form shown when beating the smart Tudor City over hurdles here in 2016 but the maiden Black Key would have a chance if on his best form while Ben Brody won a maiden here last May and is on a nice mark.
4.20 Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle
Jessica Harrington has a tremendous record in this and Not Many Left is the stable's representative this time, though he was disappointing when stepped into Grade 3 company at Thurles after easily landing a Navan maiden. Le Martalin has been running well over fences without managing a victory but Sire Du Berlais ran a fine race behind stable companion Blow By Blow in the Martin Pipe and should get into contention. PRAVALAGUNA hasn't done as well as expected but this looks his level and he caught the eye when staying on behind stablemate Low Sun over the minimum at Aintree so can take this for Willie Mullins.
4.55 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle
NEXT DESTINATION ran a fine race in the Ballymore at Cheltenham, going on at the finish over that 2m5f without getting to the front pair. He's never been this far under Rules but his trainer has won three of the last six so knows what it takes. He's also represented by Brahma Bull, who lost his unbeaten record in the Ballymore, though he looks a real staying type who should do better over fences, and Ballyward, who was beaten six lengths by today's rival Kilbricken Storm in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival over this trip. The winner's stamina came into play that day so he's an obvious danger but the overall form looks just short of that of the selection's. Delta Work landed the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and is a progressive staying type who is by no means out of this nor are his stable companions Blow By Blow, the Martin Pipe winner, and Lackaneen Leader, who has been improving with every run and chased home the long odds-on Laurina in the Grade 1 Mares' championship event at Fairyhouse.
5.30 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup
Willie Mullins has four entries including Grand National favourite Total Recall, who jumped poorly at Aintree and was pulled up. Killultagh Vic, who beat Thistlecrack to land the Grade 1 novice hurdle at the meeting three years ago, pulled up in the Gold Cup last month but would earlier have beaten Edwulf in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown but for a last-fence fall. Outlander finished a neck second that day with Djakadam well back in third and Alpha Des Obeaux a long way behind and Gordon Elliott's charge had earlier beaten ROAD TO RESPECT narrowly in the JNwine at Down Royal. The latter came good in the Gold Cup with a cracking effort behind Native River and, as the youngest runner in the field, has the scope to get even better. He gets the nod over Bellshill, who looked like winning the Irish National until slowing approaching the last and is another who still has some progress in him.
6.05 Racing Post Champion I.N.H. Flat Race For The Conyngham Cup
Patrick Mullins had a choice of four here and has come up with BLACKBOW, as he did in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when only fifth behind stable companion Relegate with Carefully Selected and Tornado Flyer also in front of him. The winner, who had been last for most of the race, came with a wet sail to snatch the verdict after the runner-up set a modest pace and it wouldn't be a surprise if any of the quartet came up trumps here though a likely faster gallop will suit the selection. Felix Desjy was also involved at Cheltenham where he finished eighth but looked to have had every chance so Gordon Elliott could do better with the progressive Getaway John, who has completed a double in fine style since beaten narrowly by Tornado Flyer at Fairyhouse.
Colin Tizzard won this last year with Sizing Granite and SHANAHAN'S TURN (NAP) looks well enough weighted to complete a stable double. Runner-up to another stable companion, Ultragold, in the Topham at Aintree, the 2015 Galway Plate winner has bounced back to form at the right time and will take some beating. The Paparrazi Kid, runner-up in that Galway event, has continued to perform with credit in these sort of races but has a very stiff task against the selection at the weights. Willie Mullins has three entries with Patricks Park likely to attract attention despite a moderate run at Fairyhouse as he'd earlier looked very progressive when scoring at Leopardstown when Blast Of Koeman was nine lengths behind. Clarcam is admirably consistent but is held by the selection on Topham form.
7.15 Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares Flat Race
COLREEVY ran well to finish eighth behind stable companion Relegate in the championship bumper at Cheltenham and is the type to make a smart jumper in time. She's the pick of Patrick Mullins and may prove best of her stable's quartet and be good enough to land this. Derek O'Connor is on board Dani Theatre, though his mount hasn't run since 2015. But Nina Carberry rode Tintangle to victory in a Listed event at Fairyhouse and the combination look certain to get into contention. Gordon Elliott also runs Black Tears, who looks to have a bit more to do, as does Mary B, who was behind Tintangle at Fairyhouse.
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