Tuesday 21st May
By Irish Racing (MG)
Punchestown 4.28 - Handicap Hurdle 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 16 run - Good
I don't think there is a great deal of depth to this race and the top end of the market doesn't look particularly strong nor compelling.
Avec Espoir may need the run off a 6 month absence, old timer BENKEI may yet be worth a small flutter and is given on final chance in this moderate field, but the standout each way punt is Gavin Cromwells ON MY BIKE whose 4th place finish at Ballinrobe last August over slightly further than this looks very solid form off a mark of 92, running off a pound less and with the Yard in prolific form over Jumps and on the Flat it will be very disappointing if this one isn't in the first four home and frankly I am expecting a win!
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Punchestown 5.00 - Handicap Hurdle - 2miles 7and 1/2 furlongs - 17 run - Good
We tipped DINOLAND with significant confidence at 33/1 last time out and it ran a cracker finishing second at 16/1. The price today will be around 4-5/1 but we cannot look beyond this one as a very solid each way bet or even a confident win bet with the final staking up to you.
Everystep Oftheway and Silverfort Lady look solid and progressive types who are likely to be winning soon and I have added both to the TRACKER from today. I'll also add the more exposed Back To The West to the TRACKER and a bold run from this one would not be a surprise.
In a 17 runner field though I had a clear top 4 in ratings and will reluctantly leave out Fill The Tank, he'll be a good reserve if any of the top 3 don't start and he won second time out last season; but just the weight burden here made him fourth rated instead of third.
My top 3 in order of preference are DINOLAND who we have already mentioned, BEARWITHMENOW who showed considerable promise last time and who may be even better suited by conditions today and FORGETTHESURPRISE who has been very lightly raced in the past few seasons but who ran well on recent return and some of the 2021 and 2022 form is very strong in the context of this race if ready to run to true form.
(MG)