Hi all,
The Guineas Festival begins at Newmarket, where the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (4:05) headlines Friday’s card. ITV Racing will show four live races from Newmarket, plus three more from Goodwood. It’s also Day 4 of the Punchestown Festival, with Constitution Hill bidding to get back on track in the in the Champion Hurdle.
Despite the competing attractions of Newmarket's Guineas Festival and Goodwood today’s main piece focuses on the best of the action at the Punchestown Festival.
Friday Preview – Punchestown
Friday’s standout race is the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle (6:40), where Constitution Hill looks to bounce back from two falls. He faces six rivals, including State Man, fortunate Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace, and County Hurdle scorer Kargese.
Despite his recent mishaps I think Constitution Hill wins, and anything evens and above is a value.
The Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1, 6:05) features The Yellow Clay, runner-up in the Turners at Cheltenham. Final Demand, third in the same race, reopposes, but there’s little reason to expect a reversal. Still, Willie Mullins has won this race seven times in the last decade.
Tripoli Flyer jumped poorly at Aintree but returns to a right-handed track the direction he’s won all three hurdle starts. Mr Percy improved in cheekpieces to land a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and has place claims on this better ground.
Outside the Grade 1s, the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase is the race to focus on.
5:25 – QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) – 2m 4½f
Prince Palace improved for a return to 2m4f when winning a Listed chase at Navan. He ran well again upped in trip next time. The drop back suits, and quicker ground should be fine.
Common Practice won a Grade 3 novice at Thurles on return. He’s unexposed at the trip and looks fairly treated on handicap debut.
Zenta has talent over hurdles but hasn’t so far impressed over fences. She’s well handicapped if she jumps better, but Mark Walsh prefers Nara.
Nara won a Grade 2 mares’ chase at Thurles in January and returns from a break. Improvement needed on handicap chase but not ruled out.
Theatre Native scored at Cheltenham 15 days ago. Quick turnaround is a slight worry, but that was her best run yet.
Native Speaker returns from a break and goes well on decent ground. He may need further but can’t be dismissed given his good jumping.
Black Bamboo didn’t stay three miles last time. The drop in trip and cheekpieces could help. Still must prove he can match his good hurdle form over fences if he can he’s well treated.
Moon D’Orange was back to form at Cheltenham last time but gave himself too much to do. Stamina test helps, and Sean Bowen returns in the saddle.
Don't Miss This – May's Big Selections for Just £7
Punchestown rolls on, and then it's straight into Newmarket’s Guineas Festival, Chester’s May Meeting and York’s Dante Festival. If you want all my previews & selections for the next month – it’s just £7. Loads of top racing ahead, and you won’t want to miss a thing. Grab it here while it’s still available.
Newmarket Guineas Festival Friday Selection
3:30 – Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap (7f)
Fifty Nifty looks the one to beat. He went close over C&D last month, is still improving, and only nudged up 2lb.
Physique was too keen here over 6f last time and ran below par. But his Doncaster comeback was much more like it. I reckon 7f is his trip. He might prefer a bit of cut, but if they ride him positively—like when he made all at Galway—he can bounce back.
Physique – 6/1 & bigger.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John