1.55pm Daily lunchtime Punchestown update from Greg Wood
As was the case on the opening day at Cheltenham in March, Willie Mullins is expected to dominate the first afternoon at Punchestown and, for that matter, the rest of the week as well. Mullins is responsible for two of the three odds-on chances on today’s card, and it would have been three out of four had Vautour not been ruled out of the feature event, the Boylesports Champion Chase, a couple of days ago.
Mullins sends Champagne Fever to the race in place of Vautour, in the hope that the grey can finally secure the rare feat of recording a Grade One success in a bumper, over hurdles and over fences. His efforts over fences have never quite had the authority of his earlier career, however, for all that he was only judged edged out of it in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham last year, and this will be his first attempt at the minimum trip since he was beaten into sixth place when favourite for a novice chase at this meeting in 2014.
Champagne Fever has been drifting in the betting this morning which suggests that plenty of punters harbour similar doubts. His stablemate Twinlight is one live alternative, but it might be worth taking a chance on Mallowney (5.30), who was beaten seven lengths by Twinlight at Fairyhouse last time. He had beaten the same horse with ease on his previous start, however, and a return to that level of form would make him a major player here.
The remaining Grade Ones look like laps of honour for Douvan (4.20), the Supreme Novice Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, and Don Poli (6.40), the RSA Chase winner, while a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle could unfold to suit Frontline (4.55), who has a light weight and will have a strong pace to follow.
11.30am Fly and Jezki to clash in latest round at Punchestown
Tony Paley: The latest clash between Hurricane Fly and Jezki will be over three miles in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.
The former champion hurdlers have been having a running battle this season with Willie Mullins’ Hurricane Fly finishing ahead all four times they have met this term.
On the one occasion Hurricane Fly was not in opposition, Jessica Harrington’s Jezki won the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles at the Grand National meeting.
Mullins has also declared Thousand Stars and Zaidpour while Harrington also runs Jetson, winner of this race 12 months ago and Ttebbob.
Tony Martin is represented by I Shot The Sheriff and Dedigout with Sandra Hughes running Lieutenant Colonel. Captainofthefleet, Lots Of Memories and Zabana make up the 12 runners.
Bet365 odds on the race are: 9-4 Hurricane Fly, 3-1 Jezki, 5-1 Dedigout and 8-1 bar.
Meanwhile, Un De Sceaux will face just five rivals in Thursday’s Ryanair Novice Chase, with stablemate Vautour not featuring in the field. The trainer had intended to run Vautour against his elders in Tuesday’s Champion Chase but the trainer was not happy with his final piece of work.
Tuesday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Two cheers is, I’m afraid, all I can manage for the start of the Punchestown Festival, jumps nut though I be. Yes, it is very exciting to have so many top-class horses at the races once again but, for the most part, they are one-to-a-race today.
You do, of course, get some funny results in this week at the end of the season, with some horses running unexpectedly below form, but I can’t work up much enthusiasm for opposing either Douvan or Don Poli.
The Champion Chase is, thank goodness, more competitive. Champagne Fever, the morning jolly, has been stuffed as favourite at the last two Punchestown Festivals and was disappointing at Aintree last time.
What’s really annoying is that Flemenstar (5.30) is only 12-1, having had eight points trimmed off the price because he was put up by a popular tipping service this morning. But, after swallowing my frustration, I feel that the 12-1 may still be a pretty fair price against a field that is short on reliable Group One performers.
Flemenstar certainly was a Group One horse in his pomp. And yes, he was beaten a long way on his March comeback after 18 months out with an injury, but he actually went well for a long way that day and may simply have blown up. A full month later, he will be a danger to all if fitter this time.
Laugh if you must but I will also have a few quid each-way on Oscar Hill (5.30) at 50-1, even though this handicapper is not really entitled to get involved. I remember his impressive effort to be third in the Haldon Gold Cup back in November and he bounced back to form last time. He’s nine but he hasn’t had that many chances on ground other than soft since he joined David Bridgwater 18 months ago.
Today’s nap is Jimmy Crackle (6.50), a lightly raced Brian Ellison four-year-old, who ran a fair race on his return at Wolverhampton last week. That seven furlongs was always going to be too short for him and the cheekpieces were left off.
They’re back today as he steps up to the 10 furlongs over which he showed his best form last year. Yes, he’s still a maiden but he has a fair chance at 8-1.
At Nottingham, I like Steve Rogers (4.15) at 5-2. Roger Varian’s four-year-old needed time but handicaps have helped him to win twice at Wolverhampton since the start of the year and this marathon distance on dry turf should suit. He remains nicely treated, though he will need to be with a couple of interesting rivals in the field.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Croquembouche 4-1
Great Minds 6-4
All Talk N No Do 7-2
And our leader is. . .
wiggy12 +6.50
...who had Croquembouche and All Talk N No Do. DaveKerr91 and melonk (both +4.50) had Croquembouche and Great Minds.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.15 Nottingham, 4.55 Punchestown, 5.30 Punchestown.
This week’s prize is a copy of The Druids Lodge Confederacy, by Paul Mathieu, which recounts the amazing century-old story of five gentlemen gamblers who tried to make the game pay through the use of a remote stable on Salisbury Plain where the staff were locked in to ensure secrecy. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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