The Punchestown Festival
Punchestown Gold Cup
It’s a shame that the Gold Cup winner, Inothewayurthinkin, isn’t showing up at Punchestown. Nonetheless, we’re still in for a great race.
It’s quite plain to see that Galopin Des Champs doesn’t bring his best to Punchestown. He doesn’t run badly there, he just doesn’t produce his best, and that makes him vulnerable. He’s been beaten on his last four starts at the track and despite there not being a Fastorslow or Fact To File this time, I think he’s still worth taking on.
I’d be a little surprised if Gaelic Warrior ran here so shortly after his Aintree heroics.
A couple of others in the top half of the market are second-season chasers Spillane’s Tower and Monty’s Star. I’m not convinced they are proper Grade 1 horses in open company at this point in time.
Banbridge will be bidding to put a no-show in the Gold Cup behind him and I don’t see why he won’t.
He has proven himself at the top level in open company a couple of times now with an impressive victory in the King George as well as winning the Champion Chase at Punchestown at last year’s festival.
To do that over two miles is testament to his ability as I have no doubt he’s better over three miles.
This looks like the ideal race for him and if the ground isn’t too soft, I think he can turn over Galopin Des Champs.
Recommended Bet
Back Banbridge @ 5/1
Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle
This division remains relatively weak with regards to strength in depth and I’m a little surprised last year’s winner, Teahupoo, isn’t the clear favourite here.
He was beaten by Bob Olinger at Cheltenham, but that horse is a bonafide course specialist, winning all four races there and the three of which over hurdles, he has been faultless.
I believe Teahupoo can reverse that form at Punchestown and his second to Lossiemouth over two and a half miles in the Hattons Grace earlier in the season reads very well now.
That race put an emphasis on speed, which didn’t suit him, and at this track I really fancy him. The ground was on the sharp side when he won this race last season so I wouldn’t be too concerned if it stayed dry.
On the whole I think he’s still the best staying hurdler around and I think he will go off considerably shorter than his current price.
Recommended Bet
Back Teahupoo @ 3/1
Alex Peperell