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Irish Mirror

Sport

Peter O'Hehir

Punchestown Festival Day 2 betting tips: Peter O'Hehir's selections for Wednesday's action

In the absence of Cheltenham victor Minella Indo, Al Boum Photo looks best in a fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.

A dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the 170-rated, Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was beaten five and a half lengths when third to ‘Indo’ in his hat-trick bid at Cheltenham, when denied a clear run at a crucial stage, turning for home.

Today, he has a good opportunity to return to Gold Cup glory in a race which two years ago, saw him outpointed by stable-companion Kemboy as Ruby Walsh ended his illustrious career on a high.

Narrow winner of the blue riband at Cheltenham last year, he was denied a chance to follow-up here by Covid.

Impressive in his customary Cheltenham ‘prep’ at Tramore on New Year’s Day, he was undoubtedly unlucky at Cheltenham and, in a tightly-knit affair, he gets no more than a hesitant vote.

Stable-companion Kemboy, Al Boum Photo’s conqueror here two years ago, has never run well at Cheltenham, so his Gold Cup ninth can be ignored.

He was collared late by A Plus Tard in the ‘Savills’ at Christmas before beating The Storyteller in the Irish Gold Cup, when Danny Mullins (on board again today) got a good tune out of him.

So, around Punchestown, Kemboy is a definite player in a field which includes four Mullins runners, with Cheltenham flop Melon and Easy Game completing the quartet.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux is another threat to Al Boum Photo, given ground conditions and the fact that he swerved Cheltenham and went instead, for a much easier assignment in Aintree’s Betway Bowl, in which he slammed Clondaw Castle by twenty-six lengths.

But he was well held when third to Frodon in the ‘King George’ and was turned over by Secret Investor in the ‘Denman’ at Newbury.

The mount of Sam Twiston-Davies, Clan Des Obeaux is, like Al Boum Photo, rated 170, 3lb. above Kemboy and should have every chance.

Completing the line-up is Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies, a consistent performer who belatedly landed a second ‘Grade 1’ when beating Nuts Well in the Marsh Chase at Aintree. But, although reportedly in good fettle since Aintree, he’s unproven over today’s trip.

The Grade 1 ITM Champion Flat Race features a rematch between stable-companions Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit, first and second in Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper.

Sir Gerhard was given an astute front-running ride by Rachael Blackmore at Cheltenham, holding his fellow Closutton inmate by a half-length. And many believed that Kilcruit would turn the tables if, or when, they met again.

But I believe that Sir Gerhard might improve more from his Cheltenham experience. And it’s significant that Patrick Mullins, chasing another amateur championship, has chosen to ride Sir Gerhard, with Derek O’Connor taking over on Kilcruit.

Gavin Cromwell’s Vanillier should have the edge over fellow Cheltenham festival winner Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle.

Vanillier ridden by Mark Walsh on their way to winning the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Tim Goode - Pool/Getty Images)

The towering grey, disappointing when first tried in Grade 1 company (behind Gaillard Du Mesnil) at the Dublin Racing Festival, produced a powerful performance when landing the ‘Albert Bartlett’ in impressive style and, proven over today’s trip, is a confident choice.

Ridden enterprisingly by Mark Walsh at Cheltenham, Vanillier travelled like a winner throughout and stayed on strongly to slam Oscar Elite by eleven lengths, with some of today’s rivals, Streets Of Doyen (third), Stattler (fourth) and Torygraph (eighth), behind.

With Jonathan Moore back on board, Vanillier should confirm that form. And he’s expected to prove too strong for the Mullins runner Galopin Des Champs, a good winner of the ‘Martin Pipe’ at Cheltenham, and rated the equal of Vanillier, on 150.

But Vanillier’s stamina might prove crucial in a field which also includes Crosshill, who beat him in a maiden at this venue back in October but is currently rated 138.

Cheltenham form might prove the key to the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle too, as Blue Sari, a last flight faller when in second spot behind Heaven Help Us in the Coral Cup, seeks his second win over flights.

Winner of a Grade 2 mares event at Leopardstown in February, beating subsequent winner Party Central narrowly, the Mullins contender Grangee sets the standard in the Weatherbys GSB Mares Flat Race.

And the final of the Connolly’s RED MILLS series looks a cracker, with Henry de Bromhead’s 136-rated Heather Rocco looking the horse to beat, following two wins in Limerick, the more recent a sixteen lengths demolition of Zanavi.