Katie Midwinter (26/04/23)
THURSDAY
3:40pm – Handicap Hurdle
Blue Bresil gelding Feu De Bresil makes his handicap debut in the hands of Jack Foley. Willie Mullins’ charge won his maiden at Clonmel when last seen on heavy ground, following a second-placed finish behind The Gunner Yeats. He is off a mark of 120 and could take another step forward.
Stablemate Figaroc represents the same connections and is another worthy of consideration. He landed his maiden win in March before finishing fourth in a competitive Fairyhouse handicap.
An interesting contender is Gordons Aura, running off a 2lbs higher mark than when third at Fairyhouse recently, a neck ahead of Figaroc with 5lbs claimer Michael O’Sullivan onboard. Jordan Gainford takes the ride here, hoping to go a couple of places better this time out. His third at Naas in January behind Byker and Mighty Mo Missouri could turn out to be a good piece of form.
Golf Marin must enter calculations following an impressive maiden win at Fairyhouse recently. He runs consistently well and copes with testing conditions. A placed finish appears likely and he did finish fourth in the race twelve months ago.
Henry de Bromhead’s Gentleman Joe is still a maiden and will need to show improvement, but has been seen sparingly since joining new yard and his debut run at Punchestown has worked out quite well. The soft ground is a slight concern however.
Of the outsiders Listentillitellyea could be capable of outrunning his odds. He finished sixth in a race won by Seddon at Cheltenham in October when rated 118, may have needed the run at Fairyhouse recently and could fare well off 112. However, he is still a maiden and this is a competitive contest.
4:15pm – Grade B Handicap Chase
The second race on Thursday’s card sees a highly competitive handicap with many runners in with a chance of success. Dinoblue sets the standard with a string of seconds, including in Grade Two company at Cork, bookended by two victories this season. The progressive mare is 7lbs up for her Fairyhouse success on Easter Sunday but could still be ahead of the handicapper.
Coeur Sublime finished a neck second to now 165-rated Blue Lord in a Grade One at this meeting last year, and was unlucky not to land a Grade Three on reappearance at Naas, falling at the last when travelling well. A Grade Two winner over hurdles, this gelding possesses plenty of class and 5lbs claimer Ben Harvey eases his burden slightly off a mark of 150.
Liam Quinlan claims 5lbs onboard John Patrick Ryan’s Grange Walk, up 7lbs for his Gowran Park win last month. The trip and conditions should suit the gelding who must enter calculations. He has been a faller in three races during the past twelve months, which does raise concern as does his lack of quality off a mark higher than 140 in the past.
An interesting each-way contender is the likable Call Me Lyreen, a useful handicapper who could be well treated off a mark of 140. He is 5lbs lower for an average performance in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, and will need to reverse form with Dinoblue but is 12lbs better off here at a track he has run well at in the past.
Stablemate Hollow Games is unexposed making his handicap debut over fences. He finished third in the Martin Pipe last year off a mark of 140, and if able to transfer that hurdles form over the larger obstacles he is in with a chance and may sneak under the radar. Danny Gilligan claims a useful 7lbs, and he has course form.
Scottish-raider Douglas Talking is 1lbs higher than when beaten in the finish by Dancing On My Own in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree. He appeared to tire slightly after making much of the running and other tactics may be tried this time around.
5:25pm – Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)
Teahupoo is unsurprisingly prominent at the top of the market following a third-place finish in the Cheltenham equivalent. Better was expected of him at Prestbury Park, when sent off as the 9/4 favourite, but the eventual winner, stablemate Sire Du Berlais, finished with momentum and runner-up Dashel Drasher held on gamely.
The stewards had declared Teahupoo as the second finisher, demoting Dashel Drasher to third, but an appeal by the latter’s connections saw him reinstated to his original position. Gordon Elliott’s favourite is capable of bouncing back and the softer conditions will be in his favour.
It’s impossible to discount Sire Du Berlais, who followed up his Cheltenham victory with yet another Liverpool Hurdle. He is in exceptional form and has been finishing off his races with venom having looked well beaten at Aintree recently. He has had a busy couple of months, but a price of 7/1 could be another gift if he is able to replicate his last two performances. Can he make it a hat-trick of Grade One successes this spring?
Reigning champion Klassical Dream stayed on well to claim the plaudits last year, but he has to reverse form with a few of his rivals after Cheltenham. He was a distant ninth of eleven at last month’s Festival, but had previously finished a neck second to Teahupoo at Fairyhouse, finishing ahead of Honeysuckle, following on from an Auteuil Grade One runner-up finish.
If he is to bounce back to form then Punchestown is where he will do it. Unbeaten at this meeting, with three Grade One wins to his name here, he has to be on the shortlist.
There was very little between recent Grade Two winner Asterion Forlonge and stablemate Monkfish at Fairyhouse recently, with the benefit of a recent run perhaps giving the fitter horse the edge. Monkfish had been absent since competing in the Novice Chase here two years ago and made a pleasing return to a racetrack. He’ll almost certainly improve for that run but may not be seen to best effect until back over fences next term. As a four-time Grade One winner, he is impossible to discount and the flashy chestnut could beat any horse if at his best.
The aforementioned Asterion Forlonge has his quirks but is a talented individual with an impressive engine. He previously won a Grade One over hurdles as a novice, and is more than capable of competing on his day. Summerville Boy beat Asterion Forlonge at Thurles last month, but the runner-up was returning after an absence and wasn’t at peak fitness. Henry de Bromhead’s charge was well beaten by Teahupoo in the Galmoy Hurdle, and has a mountain to climb to reverse form.
Lovely bay gelding Whatdeawant caught the eye in the paddock ahead of last year’s Ballymore with his impressive looks and calm nature. He went on to finish third behind a classy pair in stablemate, and winner, Sir Gerhard, as well as second-placed Three Stripe Life, when sent off at odds of 18/1 in attritional conditions.
Since then he has only been seen once, on chase debut at Gowran Park. This is a much different assignment, reverting back over hurdles and up in trip for the first time. Whilst he may lack the class to compete with some of his higher-rated and more experienced rivals, he could outrun his odds of 33/1 and is possibly being slightly underestimated.
6:00pm – Grade B Handicap Hurdle
Parmenian, a beaten favourite when last seen at Fairyhouse, heads the market for Willie Mullins despite stable jockey Paul Townend being onboard Seabank Bistro. The unexposed five-year-old is making his handicap debut having failed to fire in Grade Two Novice company following his maiden win.
There was high praise for Seabank Bistro prior to his pulled-up effort in the Albert Barlett. He didn’t travel comfortably and it may be worth putting a line through the run. When last seen he bounced back to some form with a third-placed finish at Fairyhouse and could build on that performance here.
Walking On Air is an intriguing runner for Nicky Henderson, with Daryl Jacob taking the ride. He finished a respectable fifth in the Pertemps Network Final at Cheltenham, despite not hurdling with fluency throughout, and is now 2lbs lower.
Top-weight Beacon Edge benefits from 5lbs claimer Liam McKenna taking some useful weight of fhis back. The Noel Meade-trained runner found his recent Fairyhouse run too hot against the likes of Asterion Forlonge and Monkfish, and should fare better than his recent handicap appearances, now off a lower mark.
Sweet Will has been progressing nicely and could be well handicapped off a mark of 125. He has recorded three wins this season, as well as a second-placed finish, and is appealing at a decent each-way price of 14/1.
Fairyhouse heroine Ailie Rose is up 8lbs for her Easter escapades, with Paddy O’Hanlon once again taking 5lbs off her racing weight. She is up in trip but has won over further in the past. Whilst she has a stiff enough mark here, she remains in consideration as an in-form runner available at a big price.
A wildcard in the field is Lets Go Champ for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. A Point-To-Point winner, beating a field including now 135-rated Full Back, Dunboyne and Captain Tom Cat, he is unexposed making his handicap debut and has only been seen three times under rules, finishing amongst the first three on each occasion. He was last seen winning his maiden over 2m4f at Tipperary on yielding ground, staying on well and appearing open to further improvement up in trip.
At bigger prices both Au Fleuron, with 7lbs claimer Danny Gilligan onboard, and 127-rated Max Flamingo are worth mentioning. On their day they’re both capable of putting in better performances than they have shown of late, and could outrun their huge odds.
Welsh-raider Lord Snootie is interesting off a mark of 120, 8lbs up for his Warwick win. He finished a respectable second behind now 136-rated Trelawne in his following run off 121, and is now 1lbs lower returning to the country in which he was bred.
Grade One winner over fences Master McShee is a likable horse, now running back in handicap company for Paddy Corkery. He’s rated 157 over fences, but is back over hurdles now off a mark of 141, 9lbs higher than his last hurdle win in 2020. In his debut season he was successful in two big-field hurdle races, and could be one to watch back over timber, especially if able to show the class he possesses over the larger obstacles.
6:35pm – Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1)
A tight four-runner affair comes in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, a Grade One that has been dominated by Willie Mullins in recent years, with the Closutton-based trainer claiming the past seven renewals. He saddles three-quarters of the field here, and looks set to land the prize once again.
Arkle winner El Fabiolo is the odds-on favourite to win his third successive Grade One, and on recent form he looks nearly impossible to beat. He is unbeaten over fences, and despite showing occasional novice errors in his earlier starts, he has been solid of late, putting in professional performances and showing plenty of class.
Dysart Dynamo is an interesting contender, but he has the tendency to make mistakes and can race freely which makes him an unreliable selection. At 6/1 however, he is a tempting alternative to the favourite, as jumps racing can often throw up a surprise or two, especially towards the end of a long season. If El Fabiolo does suffer a mishap, Dysart Dynamo will be ready to pounce, but he will need to stay on his feet and settle well in the early stages.
Stablemate Saint Roi rallied in the closing stages at Aintree, but couldn’t peg back eventual winner Banbridge. His previous run came when a twelve-length third behind El Fabiolo at Cheltenham, and it’s unlikely he’ll be able to reverse form unless the favourite underperforms.
Course-and-distance winner Indiana Jones completes the line-up but has 22lbs to find on ratings with El Fabiolo, and looks to have a mountain to climb to reach the summit at Punchestown.
Punchestown Festival Day 3:
3:40pm – Listentillitellyea 50/1 (EW)
4:15pm – Coeur Sublime 16/1 (EW), Call Me Lyreen 16/1 (EW)
5:25pm – Monkfish 11/2, Whatdeawant 50/1 (EW)
6:00pm – Lets Go Champ 12/1 (EW), Master McShee 28/1 (EW)
6:35pm – Dysart Dynamo 6/1
FRIDAY
4:15pm – Grade A Novice Handicap Chase
Kilcruit makes his handicap debut having previously won Grade One Champion INH Flat Race here. He won his maiden over fences with ease, before being well beaten in two Grade One races by Gerri Colombe and Mighty Potter respectively.
Adamantly Chosen beat Kilcruit by two-lengths to finish second in the Faugheen Novice Chase in December, as the Closutton pair finished behind Gerri Colombe. They both carry a top weight of 11st 12lbs, rated 148 here, along with Authorized Art.
So Scottish is 5lbs lower than when seventh in the Plate at Cheltenham. Off a mark of 138 he appears well handicapped and is one for the shortlist. Grandero Bello is an unexposed type, who finished a neck ahead of Life In The Park to finish second behind Thedevilscoachman in a Grade Three Novice at Limerick last month.
Trained by the partnership of Eddie and Patrick Harty, course winner Grandero Bello won his maiden hurdle in a big field race at this track, and his last win came at the expense of Macs Charm, who subsequently went on to land a handicap at Fairyhouse.
The aforementioned Henry de Bromhead representative Life In The Park is an interesting contender who successfully recorded three successive wins last year before being tailed off in a three-runner affair at Cheltenham. On his reappearance last month he showed promise and could take a step forward.
Knockeen stablemate Largy Debut could be capable of outrunning his odds. The eight-year-old gelding was a beaten favourite when last seen and is now 2lbs lower making his handicap debut.
4:50pm – Mares Chase (Grade 2)
Impervious got the better of Allegorie De Vassy when the pair met at Cheltenham last month. The former, trained by Colm Murphy, showed tenacity to land her fourth successive win, and could continue her rich vein of form at Punchestown. She is the one to beat in the hands of Brian Hayes.
Riviere D’etel was a faller in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham when sent off at 18/1. On this term’s form she appears unlikely to trouble the favorites, but has shown class in the past to win a Grade Two and finishing second to the likes of Ferny Hollow and Blue Lord, respectively, in Grade One contests.
Elimay had shown plenty of promise prior to her below par performance in this race last year when she finished fifteen-lengths behind Scarlet And Dove. She is yet to show the same level of form this season, and may be past her best, now a nine-year-old.
Danny Mullins’ mount Instit has shown plenty of jumping frailties this season, but landed an impressive Listed win at Fairyhouse earlier this month, beating Allegorie De Vassy by nine-and-a-half-lengths. She enters calculations as an improving five-year-old receiving weight from her older rivals, but will need to jump with fluency to land the prize.
5:25pm – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Course-and-distance winner State Man sets the standard following an impressive season in which he has recorded three Grade One victories. He was far from disgraced at Cheltenham, finishing best of the rest behind a special horse in Constitution Hill, running a solid race despite being unable to lay a glove on the winner. He should land another Punchestown Festival success in this contest.
Stablemate Vauban is his closest market rival, but has plenty of lengths to make up if to reverse form. The five-year-old is also a winner over course-and-distance and may be a force to be reckoned with next term, with more experience under his belt.
Sharjah ran well at Aintree earlier this month, following a solid performance in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is yet to win at this meeting, and is likely to find one or two better here, but it would be dangerous to discount him completely.
The Gordon Elliott pair Pied Piper and Zanahiyr both represent value in the current markets. The former was last seen narrowly missing out on a Cheltenham Festival success and has only a length-and-a-quarter to find on Leopardstown form with Vauban, rated 3lbs lower. Mark Walsh takes the ride onboard the five-year-old who will enjoy conditions if the ground continues to dry out at Punchestown.
Zanahiyr finished four-lengths behind State Man at Cheltenham, ahead of Vauban, before finishing third in the Aintree Hurdle. At a price of 16/1 he is an enticing each-way selection.
Lorna Fowler’s Colonel Mustard completes the line-up, with 21lbs to find with the favourite on ratings. Winless since his maiden success in 2021 he has finished second in his last three runs. The handicap route should eventually bring success, but a lower mark may be needed first and his rating could drop if he is massively outclassed here.
6:00pm – Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ballymore winner Impaire Et Passe is unbeaten in four races under rules, with three successes for Willie Mullins since making the switch from France. He impressed at Cheltenham, showing sublime skill to easily put the race to bed in the straight. Barring any mishaps it’s unlikely he’ll be beaten here, and he looks a star for the future.
Stablemate Champ Kiely is his biggest threat according to the market, but has plenty to find on Cheltenham form and will need to show improvement. First-time cheekpieces are tried on keen going High Definition, a classy Flat recruit still adjusting to life over obstacles. He has potential and may represent each-way value, but will need to settle better and jump with more fluency.
Punchestown Festival Day 4:
4:15pm – Kilcruit 11/4
4:50pm – Impervious 10/11
5:25pm – Pied Piper 12/1 (EW)
6:00pm – Impaire Et Passe 2/7
6:35pm – Chris’s Dream (EW)
All runners/prices are correct at the time of writing.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 