Sunday 24th November 2024
12.05 Punchestown: I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle: My first selection of the day on Sunday comes within the 12.05 at Punchestown which is a maiden hurdle over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I like Springt De La Mare here for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. He’s not been seen since falling in his only hurdle start to date in January, however, prior to that had some solid bumper form. Most notably, when beating My Trump Card and he also beat the exciting Bleu De Vassy in a point. He could prove to be useful and if ready to go can take this. Springt De La Mare – 7/2 (Win)
12.40 Punchestown: Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle: We move up in grade in the 12.40 at Punchestown with a Listed Mares hurdle over two miles and two furlongs. I’ve come down on Feet Of A Dancer in this who represents the team of Paul Nolan and Sean O’Keeffe. She was third in a competitive nineteen-runner listed mares handicap back in February and returned to the track at Limerick last month, finishing third in a listed event behind Jetara. I think that there’s more to come from her and she should be bang there in this. Feet Of A Dancer – 10/3 (Win)
1.05 Exeter: Masons Kings Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: It’s over to Exeter for my third selection of the afternoon and the 1.05 which is a Class 4 mares novice hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs. It’s hard to see past Dameofthecotswolds here for me for Nigel Twiston-Davies and James Turner who takes off seven pounds. She defeated Geturguccion by eight lengths last month at Ludlow and I expect her to uphold that form here, especially given she’s getting seven pounds taken off her back. It would be disappointing should she not go in again here. Dameofthecotswolds – 8/11 (Win) (NAP)
1.40 Exeter: Coreus Foundation Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: I’m staying at Exeter for the 1.40 which is a Class 3 novices handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs. I’m strong on The Doyen Chief here for Alan King and Tom Cannon. He was a dual-winner over hurdles and returned to the track with solid effort on chasing debut at Market Rasen last month when finishing third of six and two and three-quarters of a length behind Hidden Depth. He should build on that here and can have a big say off the same mark. The Doyen Chief – 11/2 (Each-Way)
1.50 Punchestown: BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase: Back over to Punchestown now for the 1.50 which is the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase over two miles. I like the chances of Farren Glory in this particular affair for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and arguably unlucky not to be a dual Grade 1 winner. He bolted up on his second start over fences when getting up by seven and a half lengths at Wexford last month and I think that there’s plenty more to come from him, a big showing here would be no surprise. Farren Glory – 6/4 (Win) (NB)
2.25 Punchestown: John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase: The feature race of the day comes up at 2.25 and that’s the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase over two miles and three and a half furlongs. This is a fascinating renewal of the race in which I’m siding with the 2022 winner and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He was beaten in the race last year by Fastorslow and has had a few issues at this track with this rival, however, he’s still the class horse in the race and I think he can avenge last year’s defeat here. Fact To File tries open company for the first time, and despite a few defeats to Fastorslow I still feel that GDC has more ability than him, as he showed when comfortably dispatching of him at Leopardstown in February. Galopin Des Champs – 10/3 (Win)
2.50 Exeter: Jumps Is Back With Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase: My penultimate pick on the day comes back from Exeter and within the 2.50 which is Class 3 handicap chase action over three miles. I like Jupiter Allen here for the team of Jane Williams and David Noonan. He beat subsequent Cheltenham winner Abuffalosoldier on his seasonal reappearance at Exeter last month, and that was on only his second start over fences. He’s up four pounds for that success but that might not be enough to prevent him from following up here. Jupiter Allen – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00 Punchestown: Sherry Fitzgerald Brady O’Flaherty Supporting Longford GAA Novice Handicap Hurdle: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the 3.00 at Punchestown which is handicap hurdle action over two miles and a furlong. I’m with Well Dressed here who’s making his handicap debut for Eddie & Patrick Harty, who’s the mount of Mark Walsh. He’s got some solid form in hot maidens, most recently when second behind the smart Rainbow Trail at Navan back in March. He could prove to be a bit better than this level and he can go well here. Well Dressed – 5/2 (Win)
