Thursday 1st May
By SP2A Analysis
Punchestown 4.15 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 25 run - Yielding
Robin - Nicky Henderson saddles his Cheltenham 1-2 Dodiethegreat and JERIKO DU RAPONET here and of the pair I just prefer JDR who gets a nice pull at the weights and just strikes me as a better medium term prospect. James Bowen rides and his brother Sean gets a nice ride to on the James Owen trained, ONE BIG BANG he's a progressive horse and the slight drop in trip could be ideal here and I fancy him to beat Dodiethegreat if not Jeriko Du Raponet.
Sean (Placespotter) - Park Of kIngs has had an excellent and consistent season but the hard races and more pertinently the fact he's never really delivered at Punchestown just put me off. Ballybow would have a sporting each way chance as would Flicker Of Hope on his Autumn form but he looks in the grip of the handicapper now. Win Some Lose some hit a ceiling at Cheltenham he could not break through and is another who may need some respite from the handicapper and the likes of Monbeg Park and Comfort Zone, who was bitterly disappointing at Cheltenham both have to prove their well being over hurdles at this trip. Elliott runs a couple at big prices and whilst I will TRACK Yeates Star onwards from here, I would suggest a small bet on BEACON EDGE who is well handicapped despite being top of the handicap, a 7lbs Claim brings him right in to contention and he has decent Course form.
My top 2 rated Irish hopes though would be BECKETT ROCK who I noted staying on well at Cheltenham over 2 miles and 5 furlongs and who looks a nice progressive horse freshened up off a 7 week break and the same applies to KARL DES TOURELLES who I also notebooked after Cheltenham and this improving 5 year old could be a handicapper to follow not just today but next season in to all of the big Spring races. (Sean)
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Back with more tomorrow from Newmarket, Goodwood and Punchestown.