PUNCHESTOWN DAY TWO: SHAMROCK looks ahead to racing on day two at the Punchestown Festival.
Sorry – I was hopelessly out of form yesterday. Having the nap beaten half a length summed up the day 🙁
Just before Wednesday’s races, some breaking news for later in the week.
Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power will miss Friday’s Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Vroum Vroum Mag will now represent Willie Mullins alongside Sempre Medici. Six entries were made for Friday’s feature.
Seven races today on ground expected to be good to yielding.
3:40 Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (95-123) (4yo+, 2m 4f, 28 runners)
Definite Earl is a very tentative place selection for a wide open opener. He went into my notebook when finishing second at Ballinrobe last time out and could easily be well handicapped. He should also appreciate the extra trip here.
4:20 Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle (4yo+, 2m 4f, 11 runners)
Hard To Call is taking a very big step up in class but could be up to it. The Gordon Elliott trained son of Presenting was a very easy winner at Limerick last time out and faces several rivals who are coming here on the back of tough runs at Aintree and Cheltenham.
4:55 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 3m, 12 runners)
After the two Willie Mullins good things were turned over yesterday you can see why layers are wanting to get after Bellshill here. He was only pipped a neck at Aintree but had a tough race. There’s been some morning interest in Coney Island who was 11 lengths behind Bellshill at Leopardstown in February but I think could go closer to turning that form around on better ground today.
5:30 Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) (5yo+, Class 1, 3m 1f, 6 runners)
Don Cossack sadly misses this race. He won this last year and of course has gone on to win the Gold Cup this season. Cue Card was a faller at Cheltenham when, for many, looking the most likely winner. He gained some not inconsiderable consolation by winning the Bowl at Aintree last time and should follow up in a race that’s probably better watched than getting too involved in.
6:05 Attheraces.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1) (4-7yo, Class 1, 2m, 11 runners)
I think Moon Racer is an exceptional horse in the making and we’ll find out for sure today. There’s been plenty of morning confidence on BETDAQ and the David Pipe trained runner can start making up for lost ground on his first run since winning the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2015.
6:40 Guinness Handicap Chase (Grade A) (5yo+, 2m 4f, 17 runners)
I want to be against Naas winner Rogue Trader who got away with plenty of mistakes last time out. His jumping will come under much more pressure today and I’m pressing the LAY button on BETDAQ’s 4 place market at around 2.5.
7:15 Weatherbys Ireland E.B.F. Mares Flat Race (Listed) (4-7yo, Class 1, 2m, 15 runners)
A race jam packed full of potential and the Jessica Harrington trained Forge Meadow is taken to follow up on a debut success at Fairyhouse.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
3.40 Definite Earl (PLACE, 4 places)
4.20 Hard To Call (WIN and PLACE)
4.55 Coney Island (WIN and PLACE)
5.30 Cue Card (NEXT BEST)
6.05 Moon Racer (NAP)
6.40 Rogue Trader (PLACE LAY, 4 place market)
7.15 Forge Meadow
£25 IN FREE BETS
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