SEAN - Punchestown 1.10 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 19 run - Yielding to Soft - Rain - it's likely to be sloppy and wet.

 

To be perfectly honest I have found it very difficult to split the top 6 in the market with any degree of confidence.

 

Bodhisattva from the Elliot stable looks a worthy favourite and strong contender but I certainly wouldn't like to split him and Rebellious Gale, I think that Ballyglass Beauty may be inconvenienced by the rain and looks a little less solid than Routine Excellence in these conditions although that one is going to be a decent Chaser going forwards. If we add CHER WHY NOT and Time Marches On; in to the equation and TYRE KICKER, we have 7 horses all currently priced at 8/1 or lower.

 

I've highlighted CHER WHY NOT and TYRE KICKER as of the 7 named I think they represent the best each way value. TYRE KICKER put up two good efforts before running at Aintree and has may be been treated most favourably by the market as I'd see it comparable with the top 2 in the market on form and CHER WHY NOT has run 4th and 5th on it's last two Course runs finding 2 miles 5 and 1 1/2 furlongs not quite far enough, possibly just not ideally suited to 3 miles 1 and a 1/2 furlongs last time, so this interim trip should see it charging at and through the line up the steady climb to the finish line.

 

I think Broken Bond is one to TRACK and follow after some promise in P2P racing, Old Soul is one we'll have to wait for; despite being in the Tracker, two poor runs and reports of a heart rhythm irregularity last time out, Formal Order looked a bright prospect in 2020 but has struggled off a near 2 year break in a number of runs since coming back, Son Of Mahler is another who has shown glimmers of something and could outrun big odds.

 

At bigger prices I'm most keen on JOURNEY WEST who has wins off marks of 82 and 90, needed a seasonal debut but was running well when falling near the finish and I think ideally handicapped off a mark of 92 if coming on for the run and showing no ill effects. At huge Odds  I can't resist WINGIN A PRAYER a Course winner who is 5lbs below it's last winning mark and indications in the past that this sort of trip in these conditions may be optimal and well worth a small investment therefore .