18:05 Punchestown

Wednesday 1 May 2019

All15:4016:2016:5517:3018:0518:4019:1019:45

Coral Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:06 | Winning time: 6m 25.40s

Al Boum Photo⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 175

7/4

Unlucky loser in Grade 1 novice here last season, and has progressed well this term, adding to Tramore success by landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup in ready fashion. Clearly the one they all have to beat.

Form: 2F1R-11

Bellshill⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168| CD

5/1

Better than ever when getting up late to deny Road To Respect in Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, but his jumping, which was assured at Leopardstown, let him down badly behind Al Boum Photo at Cheltenham last time. Capable of bouncing back.

Form: 151-41P

Definitly Red⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 160| D

22/1

Driven out to beat Black Corton by 2L in Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3m, good) in November, and didn't get a chance to show what he could do when brought down mid-race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Bit to find on form.

Form: 6U-112B

Kemboy²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 174| C| D

13/8

Impressive winner of Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December, but only got as far as the first in the Gold Cup. Jumped well when making all to beat Clan des Obeaux in the Betway Bowl at Aintree, and needs respect here.

Form: 11-11U1

Monalee⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164| C

13/2

Got back to winning ways with an impressive display in the 2½m Red Mills Chase at Gowran, and ran to a similar level when fourth in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. Consistent, but needs to pull out more to win at this level.

Form: 2F-3214

Snow Falcon⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 157| BF

33/1

Won the Kerry National in the autumn, and added a Grade 2 at Down Royal in November. May have needed the run after a break at Fairyhouse recently behind Jett, but this demands much more, and he's hard to fancy on balance.

Form: UP-4114

Sub Lieutenant^p,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 157| CD

33/1

Sound jumper has won his share, but he falls short of the standard required at the top level, and while he ran a fine race to be second in the Topham at Aintree last time, he looks set to struggle against these.

Form: 1572P2

The Storyteller⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| CD

25/1

Fortunate winner of a C&D Grade 1 novice here a year ago, and while he has generally run with credit this season, his limitations have been exposed several times against the best, and similar story expected here.

Form: 5463P2

Forecasts

Kemboy (13/8), Al Boum Photo (7/4), Bellshill (5/1), Monalee (13/2), Definitly Red (22/1), The Storyteller (25/1), Snow Falcon (33/1), Sub Lieutenant (33/1)

AL BOUM PHOTO has been a revelation since his luckless effort at this meeting last year, and he should take all the beating given he's still relatively fresh after his Gold Cup success. Kemboy only got as far as the first in the Gold Cup, but is a big threat on his wins either side of that, and looks the only danger if the main contenders give their running. Monalee is consistent, and can grab a place.