Remember folks, don't bet more than you can afford! Good Luck!
3.40 - Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle
A maze befitting of ‘The Shining’ to start. One is trying to find the improvers. Go each way and keep the stakes small because there are 25 runners.
I see there is money into 12/1 for Kylestyle, who ran well against some good horses in novice hurdles last year and may improve for the step up in trip.
Sea Beat is another horse that should improve in handicaps; for consistency, one has to look at Railway Tommy; and it’s always worth noting Oliver McKiernan’s outsiders here – he is represented by Golden Boot, who has done well in maidens over extended distances.
4.20 - Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle
Apart from the two claiming jockeys; all runners are off level weights here, so it’s always good to keep an eye on official ratings for what horses have actually achieved. The top two horses in the race are trained by Henry De Bromhead; Sadlers’ Risk and Identity Thief. I like Identity Thief; he has won over the distance, ran well in a Grade 2 last time and is a worthy favourite at 2/1.
4.55 - Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle
I backed three of these horses at Cheltenham. Shaneshill has a lovely attitude, but you are taking it on trust that he will stay 3 miles. At 7/4 he represents poor value. Killultagh Vic shapes as if he will stay and has claims if he jumps better, but this is another level than the race he ran in back in March. Aintree winner Thistlecrack could be anything, but the horse I like at 11/4 is No More Heroes. The Gordon Elliott trained stayer didn’t get the run of the race at Cheltenham, and if that appearance hasn’t left its mark, I fancy him to go close.
5.30 - Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup
The biggest race of the week, and with the second and third from the Cheltenham Gold Cup on show, it is a classy renewal. It is also a hard race to work out. The reason for this is that I believe Djakadam is the best horse in the line up; only six, he ran a great race at Cheltenham, but it was an excellent renewal of the Gold Cup and we’ll only know today if the gruelling race has left a mark on him. Don Cossack loves going right handed and was highly impressive at Aintree; what preys on my mind was the way he folded over this distance at Punchestown last year. Road to Riches has been on the go since last year’s Galway Plate, so I’d be surprised if he’s fresh enough to deliver here. Cue Card, Boston Bob and On His Own are all entering the veteran category. I respect the chances of the quirky Ballynagour on his Aintree run, provided jockey Tom Scudamore can put him to sleep, but if you put a gun to my head, I would plump for Djakadam.
6.05 - Attheraces.com Champion INH Flat Race
Modus sets the standard on his second in the Cheltenham bumper, but that type of form doesn’t always repeat and he’s been on the go a while. I note with interest that there has been money for the Willie Mullins trained Pylonthepressure, but the one I am going to put up each way is the Tom Mullins trained Charbel. He has won his two bumpers very easily, will come here fresh and the trainer feels he will improve for better ground.
6.40 - Guinness Handicap Chase
Sometimes it pays to side with the class horses in these races. Bright New Dawn has been tried in Graded company over recent years and has fallen short, but could take advantage in this despite the weight burden. I recommend an each way wager on him. Gold Bullet has obvious claims with Paul Townend a notable booking for this last time out winner.
7.15 - Old House, Kill, INH Flat Race
There has been a big move for the David Pipe trained Champers On Ice, but a couple I like are the Jessica Harrington trained Raise A Tail, and First Figaro, the selection with promising claimer Finian Maguire in the saddle for Dermot Weld.
