Wednesday 1st May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
3.40: Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle: My focus on Wednesday will be solely on Punchestown and I’m kicking things off with the 3.40 which is the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle over two miles and three and a half furlongs. This looks like a good opportunity for Mistergif for Wille Mullins and Paul Townend. He ran well in the Supreme at Cheltenham when finishing fourth before being slightly underwhelming at Aintree on his most recent outing. This sort of level should be well within his reach though and it would be disappointing should he not post a very bold bid. Mistergif – 6/4 (Win) (NB)
4.15 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle: Next up is the 4.15 which is the Grade 1 novice hurdle over three miles. I’m taking a chance on Better Days Ahead here who represents the team of Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan. He stayed on very well at Cheltenham on heavy ground to win the Martin Pipe when getting the better of some progressive horses and that run gave the impression that he should relish this step up in trip. The drying ground is a slight concern but I still think he has every chance of a big run. Better Days Ahead – 5/1 (Each-Way)
4.50 Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race: My third selection of the afternoon comes in the 4.50 which is a Grade 1 bumper over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with the Cheltenham winner Jasmin De Vaux here for Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins. If he turns up in the same form as his Cheltenham success I think he’ll be very tough to beat in this particular assignment, I’m not sure that this is the strongest of Grade 1 bumpers and he’s definitely the one who sets the standard on form and the one they have to beat. Jasmin De Vaux – 13/8 (Win)
5.25 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup: The feature race of the afternoon is set to take place at 5.25 which is the Punchestown Gold Cup, a Grade 1 event over three miles and a furlong. It’s hard to get away from the Cheltenham hero Galopin Des Champs here for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. He was turned over at a short price in the race last year, however, I think he can make amends here. I think he has the measure of last year’s winner Fastorslow now, and I’m not sure that there’s much else in opposition aside from that rival. If he’s anywhere near his best he should be winning. Galopin Des Champs – 4/5 (Win) (NAP)
6.00 HSS Hire Handicap Chase: My final selection of the afternoon comes in the 6.00 which is handicap chase action over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on an English raider here in Bill Baxter who’s currently a 9/1 chance for Warren Greatrex and Sam Twiston-Davies. He was well-fancied for the Topham at Aintree earlier this month before unseating early and comes into this race looking well-handicapped. He’s a pound lower than his success in last year’s Topham and if getting a better round in I think he can be involved at the business end of things. Bill Baxter – 9/1 (Each-Way)
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