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Punchestown Festival – Day 2

Morning all,

Normally at this juncture of the week I look ahead to the weekend’s big race action. However, with the Punchestown Festival on I’m going to concentrate on that today.

It’s Guineas Weekend at Newmarket. The 2,000 Guineas looks on paper a potentially high-class renewal. There could be a Derby winner in the field in Luxembourg and there could be Group 1 sprinters Perfect Power and Lusail.  That said I think Native Trail is something special and will take all the beating over a mile.

The first filly’s classic looks a far open affair ante post favourite Inspiral is out and Homeless Songs isn’t a certain runner.  Sixteen fillies were left in the race at the final confirmation stage and there are two French entries in Malavath & Zellie.  The pair were first or second in the Group 3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville at the beginning of April.  Malavath showed she handled a fast surface when finishing runner-up in the Breeders Cup Fillies’ Juvenile at Del Mar on her final juvenile start. Zellie won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last season. Either filly would have to be considered a contender should they come over for the race.

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In other 1,000 Guineas news. Wild Beauty now comes here instead of going for the French 1.000 Guineas. The noises from from Ballydoyle is that Tuesday could well join stablemate and favourite Tenebrism in the line up. If Tuesday does run. Does that indicate that Coolmore are concerned about the mile for the favourite?

Inside today’s main piece I look at two of today’s three Grade 1’s at the Punchestown Festival. Plus, there's a selection from the Irish meeting.

Wednesday Racing

On day two of the Punchestown Festival there are three more Grade 1 races, the highlight being a superb looking Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55). Allaho heads the ante-post market after his Ryanair Chase win, but he faces a strong field that includes last year’s winner and recent Aintree winner Clan Des Obeaux and 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. Aintree winner Fakir D'oudairies and King George VI Chase winner Tornado Flyer add to the depth of the race.

The Willie Mullins pair The Nice Guy and Minella Cocooner, first and second in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham go head-to-head in the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (5.20). However, they face Minella Crooner, who was forced to miss the Albert Bartlett due to a minor injury.  The Punchestown Champion I.N.H Flat Race (6.30) see’s Facile Vega and American Mike clash again after their first and second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

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Ascot's first Flat meeting of the season features three Royal Ascot trial races, the Longines Sagaro Stakes (3.35), Merriebelle Stables Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (4.10) and Paradise Stakes (4.40). There are also flat cards at Pontefract & Wolverhampton this afternoon and Brighton and Musselburgh complete the day’s action with teatime fixtures.

Punchestown Festival – Day 2
5:20 – Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m

The first three home in the Albert Bartlett The Nice Guy, Minella Cocooner and Bardenstown Lad renew rivalry. Today’s 3m might well suit the front running Minella Cocooner better than Cheltenham but he does have 5 lengths to find with the winner who looks capable of more improvement. Bardenstown Lad gets the first time cheekpieces and could get closer to the pair who finished ahead of him at Cheltenham. He will also like the sound surface Minella Crooner was forced to miss Cheltenham due to a setback. He should be suited by the step up to 3m and is very much in the mix.

5:55 – Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup – 3m,

A cracking renewal of the Punchestown Gold Cup. Allaho fresh from another commanding success in the Ryanair Chase is back over 3m for the first time since December 2020. He will go from the front again like he did at Cheltenham. Although his stamina for 3m must be proven. His bold jumping could have his rivals in trouble early in the race. He will be tough to peg back if he’s as dominant as he was at Cheltenham.

Last year’s winner Clan Des Obeaux bounced back to winning ways at Aintree in the first-time blinkers. He has plenty in his favour and could be the one to take advantage should Allaho not stay. The likely strong gallop will suit Galvin. The Grade 1 Savills Chase winner finished 4th of 11 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He finished 2 ½ length behind Minella Indo. However, I think we’ll see a much better run from him here.

Wednesday Selection:

Punchestown

4:55 – I’m taking on favourite Fils D'oudairies with Crosshill in this 2m 4f hurdle.  The 7-year-old didn’t really build on his C&D debut success on his hurdles debut in October 2020. He omes into the race after two underwhelming runs over fences and last time back over hurdles. Surely better than he was able to show at Thurles last month. The fitting of the first time cheekpieces could see him bounce back to form and if he does, won’t be far away.

1pt win – Crosshill – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John

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