Thursday 2nd May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
3.40: Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle: The opening race of the third day of the Punchestown Festival is the 3.40 which is a handicap hurdle over two miles and half of a furlong. I like an English raider here in Holly for the new combination of Jonjo & AJ O’Neil who’s the mount of Peter Smithers who takes off seven pounds. She was half of a length behind Brentford Hope last time out at Haydock and that rival was second here on Tuesday in a Listed handicap, and she’ll effectively contest this race off a six-pound lower mark with the rider’s claim coming into play. I think she’s got every chance of being very competitive in this if she turns up in the same kind of form as her latest run. Holly – 7/1 (Each-Way)
4.15: Frontline Security Handicap Chase: My second selection of the afternoon comes in the 4.15 which is a Listed handicap chase that’s set to be contested over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Path D’oroux here for the team of Gavin Cromwell and Conor Stone-Walsh who takes off five pounds. He’s been ultra-consistent all season and placed in competitive handicaps at both Cheltenham and Aintree festivals the last twice. The rider’s claim should be a help to him in this assignment, and if a long season hasn’t yet caught up with him there’s nothing to suggest that he won’t give his running again in another competitive-looking affair. Path D’oroux – 8/1 (Each-Way)
4.50: Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase: Next up it’s the Cross Country Chase over four miles and a furlong. I find it hard to get away from the Gordon Elliott trained Coko Beach where who’s the mount of Jack Kennedy and sports the Giggingstown silks. He was well-fancied for the Cross Country event at the Cheltenham Festival before that race was abandoned and has since contested the Grand National where he finished a respectable eleventh. He got the better of Limerick Lace in they Grade 3 Troytown Chase back in November and I think he has a class edge over his rivals here. Coko Beach – 11/8 (Win) (NB)
6.00: Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle: It’s Grade 1 action at 6.00 with the Champion Stayers Hurdle taking centre-stage over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I think this is another one that can go to Gordon Elliott as it’s difficult to see past Teahupoo at the top of the market under Jack Kennedy. He was an impressive winner of the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and will come into this race fresh having only had the two outings this term. He’s got the beating of the rest of these rivals on that Cheltenham run and the majority of them are exposed. Teahupoo – 10/11 (Win) (NAP)
6.35: Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle: We move back into handicap company at 6.35 with a Listed handicap hurdle that’s contested over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on O’Moore Park here for Willie Mullins and Danny Mullins. He assertively beat Lucky Lyreen within maiden company on his penultimate start and that rival is towards the top of the betting here, before finishing second last time out on handicap debut. I think he’s still progressive and if he builds on his most recent run he could feature. O’Moore Park – 14/1 (Each-Way)
7.05: Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle: The penultimate race of the day is the 7.05 which is the Listed mares novice hurdle over two miles and half of a furlong. I find it hard to get away from Swindleberry here who’s another for Willie Mullins and this time the mount of Paul Townend. She hacked up by nine lengths on her hurdling debut before splitting Jade De Grugy and Jetara in Grade 1 company last time out when finishing second. That’s the best form on offer here and if she runs to that level again, or even progresses further, she looks tough to beat. Swindleberry – 5/6 (Win)
7.40: JP & M Doyle (C & G) INH Flat Race: We sign off for the afternoon with a bumper over two miles and half of a furlong and I’m with Samyr here for Joseph O’Brien and John Gleeson who takes off five pounds. He was an impressive winner at Gowran Park back in January on his only start to date, getting up by five lengths on that occasion, and looks like another potentially smart recruit for Robcour. He also gets weight off his rivals in this particular contest and he looks poised to post another big effort for a yard who have already been in the winners this week. Samyr – 4/1 (Win)
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