Punchestown 2.20 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 14 run - Good (drying)

 

Mousey Brown who is upped 10lbs for a facile small race win and Jasmin De Cotte who is similarly into a deeper race here with a penalty head the market. They both have obvious chances but lack the experience of a few others who have more proven form and who are slipping down to what might be very competitive marks, so I will take on the very top of the market here.

 

A number of others near the top half of the market return off significant breaks of 3-6 months and may obviously need the runs and of the rest only Railway Hurricane who has a place chance at best and Gateau De Miel, once a Tracker horse, who can only be watched for now on current form, caught my eye.

 

I have a clear top 3 rated, 14 runners will allow some enhancements , so I will rate them in preference order.

 

HEREDITARY RULE is not in great form but has slipped to a very nice mark, below its last winning mark with the riders claim and certainly a return to proper summer ground is a BIG plus for this one. FLANKING MANOUVER may have been very unlucky here at the Festival and if repeating that and getting a modicum of good fortune, may run a place and at bigger Odds certainly worth a look at MARS HARPER, a long term tracker horse who has just needed some help from the handicapper and with a very good 7 lbs claimer up, the claim brings it to within 1lb of that last winning mark. (Sean)

 

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Goodwood 4.30 Handicap - Class 3 - 2 miles - 11 run - Good to Firm

 

Hedonista is the one to beat here but has yet to encounter Good to Firm conditions so isn't bomb proof, if you want a win saver bet, feel free, I believe two at significantly bigger odds are greater value.

 

Tenerife Sunshine is one of a few who may be better on AW surfaces, Vino Vitrix has been a grand servant but at the price doesn't represent the value or confidence it one would have, Tronador is on an interesting handicap mark but may need some cut in the ground and probably further whilst don't totally rule out Spirit Mixer, desperately in need of some help from the handicapper since a golder spurt of form in 2022. It is back to a winning mark and one I'll TRACK forwards.

 

I am most keen and confidently so that CRESCENT LAKE who is a Course winner and who loves Good to Firm conditions and off a nice mark is ready to win and YORKINDNESS who drops down from Class 2 off a decling mark also gets optimum conditions here and highly likely to run prominently and make a bold front running bid.

 

(TA)

 

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Punchestown 4.40 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 14 run - Good (drying)

 

The favourite Dorans Law is upped in trip and again a win saver would be logical but we think better value is elsewhere. Donkey Years has solid if unspectacular claims, Barry Lyndon and So They Tell Me are both upped in trip with stamina to conclusively prove, Meyo made a good impression last season and starts again here and may just need the run but definitely a prospect and I've added to the TRACKER today. Aldo The Apache is in the TRACKER but I really want to see more, hopefully that comes with a better run today, but not quite yet investable!

 

Two to note for possibly small side bets if you wish are the 1-2 in this race last season MISTER BEETON @ 13/2 is my 3rd rated if you wanted a s mall punt and Ounce Of Gold @ 33/1 has done nothing since that runner up effort at 40/1 but it's always worth having a look at one who pops up , when returning to the race it popped up in before reverting to what seems very moderate overall form.

 

My clear top 2 here though are GINNETS GIRL for Elliott who has yet to really fire but whose form on its own merits stands very close inspection and this one will definitely take closer order you'd think than on seasonal debut and BELLA BLISS returns to Hurdling off a winning hurdle mark that is significantly lower than its Chase mark. If you want to play the enhanced places add Mister Beeton to this pair. (MG)

 

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