Hi all,
Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival features two Grade 1 races alongside three fiercely contested handicaps for racing enthusiasts to enjoy.
Punchestown Festival Day 3
Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo bids to follow up in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (6:00) and in the other Grade 1 Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior faces just three rivals in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (5.25).
6:00 – Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3m
Teahupoo is currently the odds-on favourite in the ante-post market, but his preference for softer ground may give hope to his ten rivals. Home By The Lee, who finished third in the Stayers Hurdle, could fare better if the race demands greater stamina. Meanwhile Buddy One, fourth in the Stayers Hurdle and second at Aintree last time, can benefit from better ground provided this race doesn’t come too quick.
However, the main threat to Teahupoo could come from his stablemate Sire Du Berlais, last year's Stayers Hurdle winner and a close runner-up in this race. He shaped promise with a strong finish in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham. Forced to miss Aintree due to a setback this is his time of year and he’s got a solid chance if getting a good test of stamina.
Asterion Forlonge, trained by Willie Mullins, shouldn't be overlooked either, especially considering his runner-up performance in this race last year and each-way potential.
I have selections in the three handicaps which I have already sent out to Victor Value subscribers. Here’s my preview of the first of those handicaps.
3:40 – Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle – 2m ½ f
Undeniable Alibi notched up a win in a Clonmel maiden hurdle on heavy ground two outings ago and followed up with a solid third-place finish at Naas last month, just two lengths behind the winner. While there's potential for better performances over today’s longer distance, his current handicap mark looks reasonable, especially if the horse can maintain its form on quicker ground.
Jessica Harrington, a three-time winner of this race since 2014, sends out Pigeon House for this year's event. Despite being winless in nine hurdle starts, Pigeon House has shown promise with five placings. The 4-year-old wasn't competitive in the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham, but previously secured two runner-up finishes in maiden hurdles, including one over the same course and distance. With Nico De Boinville in the saddle, there's potential for each-way value at attractive odds.
Thursday Selection:
Yesterday's selection, Quickthorn, quickly folded once headed, indicating he wasn't ready for the day. In hindsight, Punchestown proved fruitful with a couple of winners courtesy of Fastorslow & Lets Go Champ as well as a couple of places at double figure odds.
As anticipated in yesterday’s preview of the Punchestown Gold Cup:
“Punchestown is Fastorslow’s track, and I think if he’s to beat Galopin Des Champs again it will be around here”.
Hopefully some of you followed me in with Fastorslow's victory in an epic steeplechase showcasing his prowess at Punchestown.
Punchestown
6:00 – Sire Du Berlais – 7/1 & bigger.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John
Such a shame about Sire du Berlais, the jockey Mark Walsh should hang his head it was obvious after 4 furlongs something was seriously amiss the 12 year old was not travelling at all, JP should punish him by giving the job to someone with more consideration for his horses.
Hi Steve,
As I’ve mentioned previously in the column, Sire Du Berlais can be a hard ride. However, yesterday, it was evident from early on in the race that he wasn’t enjoying himself, and looking back, it would have been wise to pull him up. Indeed I had expected him to pulled up just before the injury.