15:40
Thanksforthehelp 11/2 is a rare but intriguing runner for David Pipe in the opener. David is a real gentleman and I’d love to see him have a winner at the Punchestown Festival. This horse has been steadily progressive this season and he sneaks in at the bottom of the weights, so he must go well. Gordon [Elliott]’s Humble Glory and Henry [De Bromhead]’s Life In The Park also have solid chances.
16:15
Freedom To Dream 5/2 has the best form in the book in this race. He ran in two top hurdle races in Ireland before he went to Cheltenham and finished fourth in the Martin Pipe. If he’s in that sort of form, he’s going to be very hard to beat. He won on better ground earlier in the season, and that’ll be a plus too.
16:45
Merlin Giant 17/2 had a respectable run on the flat in October, where he caught my eye with the way he stayed on. Interestingly, this is his debut over hurdles, and he’s only ever run in bumpers or maidens on the flat. It’s not the deepest race so it might not take that much winning.
17:20
The Nice Guy 9/4 has beaten all that has come before him, including in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last time. How can you oppose a horse who keeps on winning and is unbeaten? He’s been doing it in good style, too. It’s a really good race and we might be seeing next year’s Stayers’ Hurdle contenders as I’m sure some of these will end up staying over hurdles next season.
17:55
The Punchestown Gold Cup could be going the way of Clan Des Obeaux 9/2 again. I tell you what, I was mad impressed by him in the Betway Bowl at Aintree. His season has been geared around winning two races, the Betway Bowl and this race. It’ll be some training performance from Paul Nicholls if he can get him right for both tasks. Paul’s horses are flying too, he had a five-timer at Sandown on Saturday.
18:30
Facile Vega 8/15 is another horse who looks like a real superstar from the Willie Mullins yard. Everyone has always spoken so highly about him, but the good thing is, he’s gone and done it on the track, too. If you weren’t impressed enough with him in Dublin, you’d sure have to have been impressed with him at Cheltenham. He was electric and I think he’ll beat American Mike again.
19:05
I sat on Aramax 14/1 for a gallop last week and he gave me a great little spin. He felt in good order and while he didn’t get very far in the Irish Grand National last week, this trip will suit him much more. He was a really good juvenile hurdler and I’m sure there’ll be a good race in him one day.
19:45
Jetara SP is from a special family, and she looked very good on her debut. Jamie Codd is taking the ride and while it looks a proper race, I did like the way she went in on her debut and I’ll be looking out for her again.
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