Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at best of the action at Punchestown and Ascot.

It’s Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival and there are another Grade 1’s on an eight-race card.  Besides all the top action at Punchestown there’s some good racing on the flat at Ascot this afternoon when it’s Royal Ascot Trials Day. The feature races of an eight-race card are the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes (2:15) and the Group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (2:50).

Wednesday should see a continuation of the drying trend at Punchestown. However, the forecast is now predicting some rainfall from Wednesday night through Saturday, suggesting there may be no need for track to water later in the week.

Punchestown Festival Wednesday

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs bids for a first success in the Punchestown equivalent (5.25), having finished second to the reopposing Fastorslow last year. Corach Rambler takes his place in the line-up as do Hewick and Conflated.

Three-mile one furlong on good ground makes Galopin Des Champs vulnerable here as we saw 12 months ago. It could be the case of one big race too far this season for the 8-year-old.

Punchestown is Fastorslow’s track, and I think if he’s to beat Galopin Des Champs again it will be around here.

Of the rest Corach Rambler will surely find 3m 1f to short and a bigger danger to the big two is likely to be Hewick. That’s provided the ground doesn’t ease further.

Recent Aintree Grade 1 winner Dancing City is set for a quick return in the Channor Group Novice Hurdle (4.15). Among his eight rivals are Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story and his stablemate Better Days Ahead who won the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival last time. Better Days Ahead looked much improved when winning the Martin Pipe and I think his win is on a par with his stablemate’s Cheltenham success. He should stay three miles and is well worth his place in Grade 1 company. If I can get 5/1 or bigger I will be a player.

Champion Bumper scorer Jasmin De Vaux heads the betting in the Grade 1 bumper (4:50). He faces 11 rivals including Champion Bumper runner-up Romeo Coolio, the exciting William Munny who missed Cheltenham and Harbour Highway who was purchased by JP McManus after winning a Navan bumper in March. William Munny's trainer, Barry Connell, believes he's the top bumper horse in Ireland, and I share his confidence.

Ascot

While most racing fans will have their attention fixed on Punchestown, I'd like to share a few thoughts on the two Group races featured on the Ascot card.

2:15 – Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) – 2m

Last year’s winner Coltrane bids for back-to-back successes in the Sagaro Stakes. He needs to bounce back from a poor run at Meydan. However, the cheekpieces go on and provided the ground isn’t too soft should go well. Soft ground would suit Trueshan who is a three-time C&D winner and has had wind surgery since the end of last season. Quickthorn is always dangerous if allowed an uncontested lead and has a good record fresh. Add in Sweet William who could progress from four to five and despite just five runners you have the making of an intriguing race.

2:50 – Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (Group 3) – 6f

Eleven contenders are set for the Commonwealth Cup Trial. Adaay In Devon has shown improvement from two to three, winning a Bath handicap and a Listed race at the same venue 12 days ago. While she may need further progress to contend in Group 3 company, her race fitness could be crucial. El Boden has also improved as a 3-year-old with a second-place finish in the Greenham Stakes (7f) at Newbury last month. Interesting dropped back to 6f given there’s speed on the dam’s side of the pedigree.

Starlust, a Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint third-place finisher, and Purosangue, winner of a Listed race at York on soft ground, are also contenders. Jasour's preference for quicker ground and Rosario's recent temperamental behaviour at Lingfield mean the don’t look win contenders.

Wednesday Selection:

Upon reviewing my records, I noted that I had a winner on last year's Ascot card so I'm going there for Wednesday's selection.

Ascot

2:15 – Quickthorn.

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John