Punchestown 2.50 Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - Yielding to Soft - 20 run

 

The Henry De Bromhead trained Doonbeg Don, upped in trip is as short as 2/1, if you want the "win saver" feel free. It's a scopey type who could hose up but a few with proven stamina and far more exposed but solid form are well worth an each way investment.

 

Not My Problem is quite short in the market with stamina to prove, as is the enigmatic Schiehallion who can be a bit of a mule and switch on and off the bridle although this one will be staying on better than most. Elle Dorado Rock showed promise at Down Royal in the Spring but comes off a 240 days off and may just need this. Comeonarchie steps up in trip at a big price and has shown some promise and isn't one i discounted lightly and a big run would not surprise. You could make cases for Another Nightmare, John Storey and Carrig Caril, but there are 3 in here in addition to the favourite who most interest me.

 

GAYE WINNIE would not be in the top 100 in terms of ability in the Elliott yard and I do feel is a horse who may benefit from the personal touch in a smaller yard, however on form alone the 4lbs claim here looks a good move and I can't find any reasons not to have an each way investment. COUNTY CHAMPS has suggested a few times that a hard run 3 miles would be its ideal race and its likely to get that genuine pace here and I'll be very disappointed if he's not in the first 4 home. I also think that SAMMY SMART who has run well here before has a better place chance than the generous Odds suggest. 

 

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Punchestown 3.20 Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - Yielding to Soft - 20 run

 

I think this is a tougher and deeper race and at the head of the market I can't leave out HE FITZ IN , runner up for us last time, Danny Mullins gets the ride today and with co-favourite Milanway being a tough opponent on overall form it's purely the fact that Milanway has run poorly here at this track at Punchestown and the Mullins booking that sways me to a win bet on HE FITZ IN

 

Ballagh Star is a nice and consistent horse who will win races but who may just need a breather now and come back fresh on Spring ground. Hatfield Hammer is upped in trip and clearly has the ability to go one better than two recent runner up efforts. Down The Park is a bit streaky but could play a part on a going day and I want to TRACK Mr McWhinney forwards also to the Spring ground that I think will suit this nice progressive prospect. I could make cases too for Will It Be You who scoped badly last time but who would be a danger when healthy and also the likes of Not Before Time, Getaclan (will need the run); Rideau Canal and Le Malin

 

However, if we want a couple to follow (hopefully) HE FITZ IN home , then in preference order I am quietly confident in big runs for  BALLYROE MADAM who is competitive off marks up to 90 and whose slight error 2 fences out last time masks a good run, HILL ROCKET looks way over-priced for me based on some frankly good and consistent form and he has the engine to win a small race off a mark in the low 90's and the Claimers Claim here may be a significant boost. The youngster SHANTOU PRINCESS for the Cromwell team is a very dangerous scopey type too upped in trip but with a 3 mile P2P win

 

(MG)