Punchestown is always a great week and one my favourites in the racing calendar.
Our yard came into the week on a high as Rocky Sky won the Salsabil Stakes at Navan on Sunday. She is a very smart horse who has just kept on improving in the past month.
I’ll speak to the owner, but she’s come out of the race well, so it might be worth considering the Musidora Stakes at York next month for her next start.
Thursday at Punchestown
The first race at Punchestown (15:40) looks like a puzzle, but it’s hard to substitute good form and Five Helmets 6/1 brings the best form into the race.
He’s won his last two races easily and, if he’s in the same kind of form, he won’t be far away.
Jungle Junction 11/2 is another horse is in good form. He’s also won his last two and might still have a little up his sleeve.
He’s always been well thought of and is going for a hat-trick under Robbie Power (16:15).
We run Call It Magic 25/1 in the banks race (16:50). This has been the plan all along and, while he was OK the last day, he will be more at home around this course.
He’s a grand old servant, who has given us all some fun days.
Space Cadet 11/2 finished one place in front of us two starts back and I’ve long thought that he could win a race of this nature (16:50).
The Stayers Hurdle looks brilliant (17:25).
You can make a case for so many, but I’ve always liked Ronald Pump 11/2 and he could have day in the sun here. He missed Cheltenham, which may end up being a blessing in disguise as he’ll come here a fresh horse. He’s got good form in the book and I expect you’ll see his best work late on.
The Grade B Handicap (18:00) is what you’d expect – tough to solve!
I do think JP McManus has two live chances.
Pure Genius 11/2 – who is trained by Ted Walsh – was a good winner last time out and could still be improving.
Capodanno 11/2, who is trained by the always-in-form Willie Mullins, is lightly-raced and is the type to win this race, especially with Willie winning everything at the moment.
You’d have to think that Energumene 2/5 is going to take some beating in the Novice Chase (18:35).
He’s been rock solid all season and has only been beaten once in his career. He was well fancied for the Arkle and could just be different class. As we’ve seen this week, though, horses aren’t machines and even the best ones have off days.
If that is the case, then Janidil 6/1 could be the one to pick up the pieces. He’s got some smart form this season and was an impressive winner last time.
Gauloise 9/4 has not had everything go her way this season, but she’s still run well in defeat on most occasions. It was more like it at Fairyhouse last time where she was second to Skyace. As I say, Willies horses have been flying, so it is hard to look past her (19:05).
As ever, the Bumper (19:35) is competitive and hard to find the winner of, but I liked the way that both Dysart Dynano 13/8 won last time out.
Bardenstown Lad 11/2 was also a good winner last time.
They’re both horses I’m looking forward to seeing run again after impressing me in their bumpers.
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