2.05pm Daily lunchtime Punchestown update from Greg Wood
Willie Mullins is three-from-three in the Grade One races at Punchestown so far, and it is far from impossible that he will extend his record at the meeting to six out of six by this evening. He trains Shaneshill, the favourite for the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle, the joint-favourite for the Punchestown Gold Cup in Djakadam, and five of the 13 declared runners for the Grade One bumper at 6.05.
Mullins was likened to Godzilla standing astride the Punchestown grandstand by a columnist in the Racing Post yesterday, and while a 50-foot fire-breathing dinosaur from the depths of the Pacific is not normally the first thing that springs to mind when the genial man from County Carlow saddles a winner, at times like these you can begin to see the point.
The Mullins treble on Tuesday did not proceed entirely according to plan, however, with Don Poli disappointing in the novice chase and Champagne Fever failing, once again, to add a Grade One chase to his victories at the highest level over hurdles and in bumpers. The ground remains much quicker than it has been throughout the winter, a concern which Mullins himself mentioned more than once yesterday, and it is a worry for Djakadam, the runner-up in the Gold Cup, who took the Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January on heavy going.
It is possibly just the sense of irresistible momentum behind the Mullins team that is keeping Djakadam at the head of the market for today’s race, the feature chase at the meeting. Don Cossack (5.30), who put up a career-best performance to win the Melling Chase at Aintree last time out, has several pounds in hand of Djakadam according to Timeform and while he has not raced at this three-mile trip since October last year, he has form in the book from his novice season which relieve any doubts about his stamina. Gordon Elliott’s runner should probably be the clear favourite, and is a solid bet at the current odds of 11-4.
Elliott has a live opponent for Shaneshill too in No More Heroes (4.55), and while he is not proven on this ground, Shaneshill has yet to race beyond two-and-a-half miles and is not certain to get this trip well enough to win.
Pylonthepressure (6.05) can emerge as the best of the Mullins runners in the bumper, while Marchese Marconi (4.20), who unseated Joseph O’Brien at the last when in with every chance at Fairyhouse earlier this month, is an interesting runner for Aidan O’Brien in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle. Mark Walsh replaces the trainer’s son in the saddle and may have Henry de Bromhead’s Identity Thief to beat.
Wednesday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
The second day of the Punchestown Festival will rightly dominate the racing previews and reports on Wednesday but there’s a genuinely excellent card at Ascot this afternoon with the track offering free admission. The Sagaro Stakes, the highlight of the meeting, is competitive and tricky given that appreciable rain will make a difference to the propspects for a number of the fancied runners. Pallasator has won on lively ground and is a nominal selection in a tough heat.
Limato (4.05), a very impressive winner of the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy last campaign, returns in the six-furlong Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes. Trainer Henry Candy is notably cautious in the Racing Post this morning, commenting that his runner has been working lazily in his build-up for his comeback. The colt still has over half a stone in hand on official ratings, however, and is going to take a lot of stopping if running to form. The short price may look generous afterwards.
At Cheltenham’s traditional hunter chase fixture, Penmore Mill (4.50) has plenty in his favour even taking into account he is dropping in trip this time. The gelding has the talent to outclass this field and rates a banker.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Monday
Croquembouche 4-1
Great Minds 6-4
All Talk N No Do 7-2
Tuesday
Steve Rogers 3-1
Some Article 10-1
Felix Yonger 5-1
And our leader is …
dean055 +11
… who had Some Article and Felix Yonger. Wiggy12 (+9.50) and wemeanyounoharm (+9) chase him.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.00 Ascot, 3.30 Ascot, 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 -6.
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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