Sean - Punchestown 3.05

SEAN - Punchestown 3.05 Handicap Chase - 3 miles and 1 + 1/2 furlongs - 19 run - Yielding to Soft - dry and sunny
 
Glenquin Castle arrives on a 7 timer and has been very cleverly placed winning 3 times over hurdles and 3 times over fences off marks of 85, 92 and 99, he now runs off 108 here. He's taken on by Ragnar Lodbrok from the Elliott yard, highly tried and not yet really delivered but dropped into this handicap which would certainly be his most plausible chance for a considerable time. Mullins matches that with an equally possible type in Recite A Prayer and the obvious probability is that there are your 1-2-3 and no point looking outside the obvious.
 
That's not what we are about though so I will set those aside and cover them off with a small Tricast Perm and focus a few each way punts on bigger priced horses to enhanced places.
 
I did look at Castlegrange but I think this extended trip is not ideal for it and of more interest are 4 solid and experienced Chasers all of whom have good place chances based on a decent amount of back form.
 
I think of them HOKE COLBURN who has done us proud a few times is the least well handicapped and although a Course winner may need 5-6 lbs respite still from the handicapper.
 
I can't split CLOGUILLE WAY for Gavin Cromwell (one of 3 from the Yard) who won a Chase off a mark of 99 and then reverted to Hurdles, a couple of Chase runs since have shown promise and the horse is certainly race fit and tuned back into running over Fences.  I think it's his best one today although I will track Averne after todays run. The other one I like at the Odds particularly is WISHMOOR also a Course winner who has had a spin over hurdles and should strip fitter for it. Has won a Chase off a mark of 111, placed and competitive off marks of 112, 116 and 118 last season so has a chance here off a mark of 118.
 
The fly in their ointment at a price may be CLASSIC CONCORDE who is race fit after 3 runs and has won a Chase off a mark of 98, placed off a mark of 110 and runs here off 109 with a handy 7lbs Claimer up. He's in enhanced place territory at nice odds too. 
 
Throw in a couple of unexposed types from De Bromhead who must be tracked and followed after today when I assess on past form they will just need the run, and we have a cracking race.
 
Play the Tricast on the top 3 and have 1/2 point each way singles on CLOGUILLE WAY and WISHMOOR and if you feel brace a bit of shrapnel on Classic Concorde @ 40/1.