15:40
The opening contest is an Opportunity Series Final that has attracted a full field of 25, which is of no great surprise. There are two I think will run well in this race, the first being BREAD AND BUTTER 12/1, who is very interesting on his first start for Olly Murphy. He was third in a good race at this Festival last year and is 6lb lower now. This strong-travelling horse is of interest on his debut for the yard.
The other horse I like is Butterflyvespiere 12/1, a lightly-raced mare who shaped okay over fences last time. She did actually win on her last start over hurdles, and I think there is more to come from her.
16:15
You could boil the second race down to two or three that would have live chances, but I’d side with SANDOR CLEGANE 11/8, who is trained by Paul Nolan. He didn’t get the rub of the green at Cheltenham, but these are much calmer waters. This looks a good opportunity to bag a nice prize.
16:45
This isn’t the strongest contest, so I’d think GRANGECLARE WEST SP will be the one to beat. He went off favourite for a Grade 1 two starts ago and was well backed in the morning of the Dublin Racing Festival, suggesting someone thought he was capable of better. He swerved Cheltenham, Fairyhouse, and Aintree so comes here fresh, which could be a huge plus.
17:20
I thought it was a very interesting move for Willie Mullins to step GAELIC WARRIOR 1/1 up to this trip and, if he stays it, he should be winning. In terms of class, he’s ahead of his rivals. You’ve also got to hope that Cheltenham hasn’t left too much of a mark on him.
Another I think will run well is the mare Whatcouldhavebeen 18/1. She ran well behind Ashroe Diamond at Fairyhouse on her most recent start.
17:55
I know I’ll get no points for originality in the Punchestown Gold Cup, but you can’t get away from GALOPIN DES CHAMPS 1/3. He really is a very, very good horse. He managed to win a Grade 1 over two-and-a-half this season, showing you how much speed he has, as well as outstaying – and outclassing – Bravemansgame in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. I’m glad to see Bravemansgame running, as it does add something to the race, but I think we’ll see the same outcome as Cheltenham.
18:30
I thought A DREAM TO SHARE 5/4 was value for more than the winning margin at Cheltenham. He was given a great ride in the Champion Bumper, pouncing late and using his gears. Tullyhill looked good on his debut but might not have the same number of gears as the John Kiley-trained horse.
19:45
I don’t have a strong view in the Handicap Chase at 19:05, but I do think that BOLD REFLECTION SP is an interesting runner in the concluding bumper. I’m not sure if it was by design or not but she hasn’t run since winning a bumper in December, beating a horse of Willie's, who has a line of form with other good horses. She was bought for £140,000 at Cheltenham in November and has the assistance of Jamie Codd on her back, which is only a positive.