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Punchestown Day 3 Thursday Tips and Previews
MORE TO COME FROM PUNCHESTOWN! I’m looking forward to seeing Teahupoo in the Champion Stayers Hurdle and El Fabiolo in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
Punchestown Day 3 Thursday Schedule
3.40 Punchestown Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle 2m
4.15 Punchestown Pigsback.com Handicap Chase (Grade B) 2m
4.50 Punchestown Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase 4m2f
5.25 Punchestown Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m71/2f
6.00 Punchestown Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m71/2f
6.35 Punchestown Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m
7.10 Punchestown Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase 2m5f
7.45 Punchestown JP & M Doyle (C & G) Flat Race 2m
Punchestown 3.40
27 horses set to go to post for the Punchestown opener on Day 3 and it won’t surprise you that I’ve taken two against the field. My main play will be FIGAROC for Willie Mullins. He has only had 4 starts under Rules but impressed getting his head in front at Clonmel last month. He acquitted himself well on handicap debut to finish fourth at Fairyhouse having been caught further back than ideal. He is open to improvement and could run a big race off his current mark.
I’ll be having a saver on SNAPIUS too who clocked a career best beating Calico at Cork when last seen. He has a fair bit to find to win this but is going the right way over hurdles now and might surprise a few. Top-weight Aslukwoodhavit bolted up at Tramore last time and if this doesn’t come too soon he will be a danger to all for Henry de Bromhead. Garrybello and Broomfield Bijou would make most shortlists so are also feared.
Punchestown 4.15
This a really good renewal with the top two in the market Dinoblue and Douglas Talking running in some of the top 2 mile handicaps on their last two runs. They both ran in the last 3 weeks though so it could be worth opposing on this occasion. HOLLOW GAMES catches the eye after running in two Grade 1s on his last two starts where he was out of his depth. On his handicap debut over fences he is very interesting back down to 142 with a claimer taking 7 more pounds off as well. He ran Banbridge close over hurdles off 143 so he could easily be involved here at a nice price.
Dinoblue is the main danger after finishing a close second in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival before winning a nice handicap at Fairyhouse by 9 lengths. If this race isn’t too soon for her she will be bang there. Douglas Talking I really like at Aintree and just lost out to Dancing On My Own. Up just 1lb he has to be a threat but that race was only 2 weeks ago so can’t be fully relied on. Of the rest The Folkes Tiara and Whiskeywealth could well be involved based on their last runs.
Punchestown 4.50
I wouldn’t read too much into that run over hurdles at Cork last time from STEALTHY TOM as he was back in trip and that was clearly an outing to get him spot on for this. He won at this track prior to that and if you put a line through that last run would actually be coming here on a hat-trick. These Cross Country races clearly suit him well and it is no surprise to see him trading as favourite at the time of writing as I think he’ll be well backed.
Vital Island had a hard race when runner-up here on Tuesday and that would have to be a bit concerning. At a massive price Blast Of Koeman would be interesting if managing to get round. Nick Lost also failed to complete last time but if rediscovering his best form would have a squeak in a unique race.
Punchestown 5.25
What a renewal we have here with Klassical Dream going for 3 in a row and Sire Du Berlais going for the Cheltenham, Aintree, Punchestown Stayers Hurdle treble. That said I am going with my bet in this years Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle TEAHUPOO. He ran a cracker to be done late by Sire Du Berlais and has skipped Aintree to come here. He has really lept forward at this trip and if the expected rain comes Thursday prior to the race he has a great chance.
Sire Du Berlais I backed for the Stayers at Aintree and he stayed on so well to win. That was only 2 weeks ago and at the age of 11 it might be too soon despite him surprising everyone this season. Klassical Dream needs to be much better than at Cheltenham to be a threat and Willies other runners could prove bigger dangers in Monkfish and Asterion Forlonge.
Punchestown 6.00
I’m not sure why Paul Townend has picked Seabank Bistro over PARMENION as I’m really keen on the latter. He has only had 4 starts over hurdles and now handicapping he could easily flourish. He won emphatically at Leopardstown last month but I still think he is a work in progress and a horse that is learning how to race. He could improve substantially as a result and I’m willing to chance him here despite how competitive it looks on paper.
I have also had a saver on C&D winner GROZNI who ran a cracker when second to Perceval Legallois at the DRF and had won 3 from 5 prior to that. I’m sure he is going to be in the money so at around 12/1 looks worth including. Walking On Air may have been a bit unlucky as Cheltenham but he is that sort of horse and could find a troublesome passage again and he has been well found in the betting.
Punchestown 6.35
This race revolves around EL FABIOLO who has become one of Willie Mullins stable stars since going over fences. His win at Leopardstown at DRF really suggested he was a top notch 2 mile chaser and then he came to Cheltenham and brushed Jonbon aside in the Arkle. He isn’t even the finished article in my opinion with a few dodgy jumps during those wins but he still has way too much for his rivals and should do again here.
On ratings these are all fighting it out for second as they all have a lot to find. Dysart Dynamo will be a danger from the front as always but took a tired fall at Cheltenham when beaten by the selection last time. Notlongtillmay was second favourite behind Jonbon at Aintree before being pulled out and could run a solid race. Saint Roi is interesting after his run at Aintree behind Banbridge and could go well if this race isn’t too soon.
Punchestown 7.10
After just 3 starts over fences SECRET SHE KEEPS could easily take a big step forward now and with Mark Walsh jocked up it will be no surprise to see him well backed for this. He kept on strongly to win easily at Thurles and is better than what he showed when fourth at Punchestown. There will be a lot of pace on here with Optional Mix a front runner and I think that will help him get into a rhythm. I’ll be surprised if there isn’t more to come off his current mark.
The danger is probably the hat-trick seeking Queen Jane. She is improving all the time and while this is tougher she should go well under Rachael Blackmore. Pont Aval will be better suited by this trip and is another one to note.
Punchestown 7.45
Plenty of us have been waiting to see BALLYBURN again after an easy bumper win back in February. Surprisingly Willie Mullins skipped the big races with him maybe to give him more time. He is held in really high regard by the yard and I expect him to be the one to beat here even with this massive field.
The yard also have Dancing City and It’s For Me who on their form could be right in the mix, especially the latter who ran really well in the Champion Bumper at the Festival and likely has more to come. Like most bumpers this race has had upsets in the past so keep an eye on the market to get an indication if any of the others are fancied though.
Punchestown Day 3 Thursday Lucky 15
I have another Lucky 15 for Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival which includes 4 of our strongest bets on Thursday. If we can land 3/4 winners we would make some decent profit. Pays 900/1!
Punchestown Day 3 Win Treble
I have another Win Treble on Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival. They are all likely to be popular and look decent value when combined. Pays 13/2!
