SHAMROCK AT PUNCHESTOWN: SHAMROCK previews Friday’s card at Punchestown which features the Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle at 6.05pm.
It’s been such a tough week for me so far that I’ll take Josies Orders (yesterday’s NAP) being a non runner as an improvement 🙁
Did manage to get a place return from Sizing Codelco and some crumbs from the odds-on shots Invitation Only and Douvan winning so hopefully a sign that at least the tide might be turning for SHAMROCK followers.
Eyes down for day four.
The going remains good to yielding and there is an eight race card.
3:40 KFM Hunters Chase (4yo+, 2m 4f, 11 runners)
Shin A Vee is something of a sentimental pick as he won this in 2009 and 2015 and was second in 2014. He’s been saved a whole year for another attempt at the prize and is sure to make a bold bid, despite his advancing years. Enniskillen has the benefit of a recent run, very recent. He finished second on Tuesday here to Wish Ye Didnt. Serious Times (7th) is also back for more.
4:20 EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A) (5yo+, 2m 5f, 15 runners)
Marlbrook by-passed Aintree and Cheltenham and that freshness could give him the edge as he seeks a hat-trick. He started favourite for a Grade B chase at Naas last time out and made all the running to win by an eased down six lengths. He jumped particularly well and is a sporting day four nap from me at around 7 on BETDAQ.
4:55 Hanlon Concrete E.B.F. Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase (Grade C) (4yo+, 2m 5f, 15 runners)
An ultra tough mares handicap race in which Centasia is recommended on the BETDAQ place market. She is another to have missed Aintree and Cheltenham (I’m cottoning on to this a little late in the meeting but only like the likes of Douvan seem to have overcome this big negative) and was last seen beating another of today’s rivals Cresswell Breeze by a neck at Warwick. There should be little to choose between the pair today and I hope the form is solid enough.
5:30 Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m, 6 runners)
A brilliant race for BETDAQ to be associated with and let’s hope for a good finish. Whilst it was a disappointment to see Champion Hurdler Annie Power drop out – it’s a relief to see the remaining six entries all confirmed and we are left with what could be a very competitive race.
Willie Mullins has enjoyed a virtual monopoly in this race in recent years thanks to the remarkable Hurricane Fly and, for sure, Vroum Vroum Mag is no understudy and already a star in her own right. How she managed to get beaten on debut in France is one of the great mysteries of the 21st century because she’s won all nine starts subsequently since joining the Mullins yard (six of which have been chases).
Last time out she went off an odds-on shot for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival which she won well.
This is by far her toughest task – so much so that she is likely to go off odds against for the first time in her Irish career !!
We still don’t know for sure how good she is – but she looks too short with the likes of My Tent Or Yours in the field. I have them closer together so am naturally happy to take bigger odds about the Henderson raider.
6:05 Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, 2m 4f, 9 runners)
I expected a little more from A Toi Phil at Cheltenham after he had impressed when winning a Grade 2 at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins has won the last three runnings but might struggle as his other runner Thomas Hobson also disappointed last time out. Preference is for the Noel Meade trained Disko who is taken to handle the massive step up in class.
6:40 Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle (4yo+, 2m, 9 runners)
I’m with Mullins here and Bello Conti who has finished creditable fourths at both Cheltenham and Aintree in Grade 1’s and should relish this easier challenge. He looks a NAP bet. I can’t remember ever having double naps in one day but today warrants it !!
7:10 Racing FX Flat Race (5-7yo, 2m 2f, 25 runners)
Small lay on Some Neck as he has had better chances than this to win and has finished second in all three starts at a layer friendly 7/4, 4/5 and 11/10 last time out when he was beaten a neck. (Well half a length but given his name a neck makes a better story!)
7:45 Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase (4yo+, 3m 1f, 11 runners)
Finishing as we started – with a hunter chase but this is nor ordinary hunter chase. The legend On The Fringe is so hard to get away from after his remarkable Cheltenham / Aintree double and bids for a fourth win in this race. Put it this way. There will be NO ONE leaving the track early today as this will be a fantastic day four finale.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
3.40 Shin A Vee
4.20 Marlbrook (NAP NUMBER 1)
4.55 Centasia (PLACE, three places)
5.30 My Tent Or Yours (NEXT BEST)
6.05 Disko
6.40 Bello Conti (NAP NUMBER 2)
7.10 Some Neck (LAY)
7.45 On The Fringe
£25 IN FREE BETS
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
