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Punchestown Festival – Day 3

Morning all,

What a spectacular performance from Allaho to win the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup? He galloped his rivals into submission. He didn’t get any easy lead out in front either, as Clan Des Obaux kept him honest out in front. The runner-up ran a cracker and he was the only one to keep tabs with leader and held on for a gallant second. However, this was all about the winner. As he put a high-class field to the sword. 

Allaho proved he stayed 3m here but I suspect the extra two furlongs of a Gold Cup might prove more elusive but you never know with this long striding monster of a horse. His jumping at speed brings out mistakes from his rivals like we saw yesterday.

The best chaser in training? Yes, by some way!

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Punchestown Festival – Day 3

Day three of the Punchestown Festival. The stayers take centre stage as Klassical Dream bids to retain his Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle crown (5.25). It won’t be easy as he faces the likes of Paisley Park and recent Aintree score Sire Du Berlais.

The second Grade 1 on an eight-race card is the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (6.35), could see impressive Maghull Novices' Chase winner Gentleman De Mee crowned the best 2m novice chaser in Britain or Ireland. The Willie Mullins trained 6-year-old takes on six rivals, including three from his own yard and Arkle runner-up Gabynako.

If like me you like big field handicaps, today is your day at the festival as there are four of them on today’s card. I will leave my handicap picks for Victor Value subscribers. Like yesterday, I will mark your cards for the Grade 1 contests.

5:25 – Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7 ½ f

Klassical Dream travelled smoothy in the Stayer Hurdle at Cheltenham but was awkward at the last and was run out of the places to eventually finish fifth.  He won this race 12 months ago and with a prominent ride the favourite the one to beat.  

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Paisley Park finished two places and 2 ¼ lengths in front of Klassical Dream at Cheltenham. He’s entitled to go close here but on this speedier track I fancy a back to form favourite can finish in front today.

Sire Du Berlais bounced back to his best when winning a Grade 1 at Aintree last time and will need to be at that level of form to win this.

TheDevilscoachman put in a career best over hurdles when winning the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan last time. The step up to 2m 5f suited the 6-year-old that day. Stamina for 3 miles not certain and he may need softer ground than likely today.

Gentlemansgame finished a 12-length 2nd of 8 to Galopin Des Champs in the Grade 1 novice hurdle (3m) here 12 months ago. Just the three starts this season he put a personal best when winning 5-runner minor event at Thurles (good) last month. Goes well on a sound surface and has each way claims.

Another with each way claims is Ashdale Bob. A double Grade 2 winning novice last season has run well on his last two starts over hurdles finishing a head second to TheDevilscoachman at Navan before finishing a 5½ length 3rd of 23 in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

6:35 – Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) – 2m

Gentlemen De Mee so impressive when seeing off Arkle winner Edwardstone at Aintree is the one to beat here.  A relative test of speed suits the 6-year-old well. Although he may face competition for the lead today, he’s a worthy favourite and the one to beat.

Gabynako justified connections decision to supplement him for the Arkle when finishing 4 ¼ length 2nd of 11 to Edwardstone at Cheltenham. He’s respected on that running. Will like the ground but might be best coming off a strong gallop.

Besides the favourite Willie Mullins also saddles Blue Lord, Haut En Couleurs, and Saint Sam.  Blue Lord finished 3 ½ lengths behind Gabynako in the Arkle. Haut En Couleurs beat Gentlemen De Mee on his chase debut. However, he hasn’t really built on that promise on two subsequent starts including when a 16 ½ length sixth in the Arkle last time.

Saint Sam was a winner on his chase debut at Fairyhouse. He’s since finished a 4 ¼ length 3rd of 6 to Blue Lord at Leopardstown. Then was hampered and unseated his jockey at the 4th in the Arkle. He remains with potential as a chaser. Although may need further than 2m in Grade 1 company.

It could be another clean sweep of the Grade 1’s for Willie Mullins with Klassical Dream and Gentlemen De Mee both looking worthy favourites in their respective races.

Thursday Selection:

Besides Punchestown, there’s Listed race at Chelmsford, with the Chelmer Fillies' Stakes (6.20) Redcar, Musselburgh, Chepstow, and an all-weather meeting at Lingfield complete today’s action.

Nice to provide readers with a winner at Punchestown yesterday after poor run by Tuesday’s selection.  Fair play, Crosshill’s win was down to a ‘never say to die’ ride from jockey Robbie Power.  I'm heading to Punchestown once more for today's pick.

Punchestown

7:10 – Minx Tiara comes into this mares’ only handicap chase in great form having won at Limerick last month.  She’s 8lb higher but goes well on a sound surface and has only had three starts over the larger obstacles.

1pt win – Minx Tiara – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John

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