Morning all,
the last throes of the National Hunt season today as the five-day Punchestown Festival brings proceedings to a close. Of course, there will be some summer jumping, but the big guns will go out to grass for the summer, rest on their laurels and we'll see them fit and ready to go again come the autumn. We have a good day in prospect for day one, with three Grade One races, including the Punchestown Champion Chase.
But we start matters with the Memorial Chase over three miles over the banks. That immediately makes you think Enda Bolger & Nina Carberry and they team up again with last year's winner Wish Ye Didnt. Bolger also runs Strangford Lough and Be Positive. Of the three of them, I'd happily swerve the latter as he's been off the track since 2014 and I'm reluctant to back a horse that has been away for that long. The other two both have great chances, with Strangford Lough having the other to jockey on board in Jamie Codd. Of the outsiders, Enniskillen and Mia's Milan well do well, but they'll have a tough task dislodging Bolger from his top spot in this race. I'll go with the proven form of Wish Ye Didn't to keep Bolger's excellent record going.
Next we go to the Novice Hurdle over two miles, the first of our Grade ones. This should be all about Yorkhill. He raced very keenly last time out at Aintree, practically pulling himself to the front and nearly doing too much, but he held on to win from Le Prezien. He was far more impressive at the festival under a patient ride from Ruby Walsh and the master has recovered in time from a wrist fracture to take the reigns again. He remains unbeaten and should really be too good for these even over the shorter trip of two miles. The trick is then to pick the one that will follow him home. Petit Mouchoir was an excellent second behind Buveur D'Air at Aintree and if ridden with the same prominent tactics should have a good chance to do the same here. Charbel ran well in the Supreme, but ultimately faded into fifth and would need to have improved to serve it up.
Next up is a two mile handicap hurdle and this is a typical open contest. A lot of these will have chances, but I'm going to go with Automated. He was a good second to Ivan Grozny at Aintree, but well clear of the rest of the field. Jack Kennedy claims three and that could well be a decisive factor. Another I like in this big field of 21 is Art of Payroll. Donagh Meyler is another conditional who has been going well this season and he claims five off Sandra Hughes' charge. They're both a decent price (7/1 & 14/1 best prices) and with four places to aim for there's value there.
Next to the race I'm most looking forward to, the Champion Chase. This one is all about Vautour for me. My favourite horse in training and he has the potential to be an all-time great. He was an uncharacteristic faller last time out at Aintree when bowling along in front. His drop in trip over two miles could be a sign of things to come next year and it will be interesting to see how he goes, but for all intents and purposes, this is not a betting race for me. Sit back and enjoy.
The Land Rover Bumper next and Jenkins is the hot favourite after Nicky Henderson booked Paddy Mullins to ride. He is a master of these sort of races, but it wouldn't surprise me if the favourite got overturned here. There's a few useful sorts in here and at the prices, I'm happy to chance the likes of Hardline or Moulin A Vent. Hardline does wear a hood on debut, which is not something I'm fond off, but he made a winning point debut and Gordon Elliot is in good form. Moulin A Vent makes his debut for Noel Meade under Nina Carberry and he is related to a few decent sorts and could well spring a surprise.
The final Grade One of the day is the three mile Novice Chase and this is a pretty open contest. Zabana and Davy Russell will be keen to take revenge for their shambles at the start of the JLT when the jockey was unseated taking a turn. He was tipped up by a few that day and could well gain revenge here. Outlander took a tumble in the same race before being upstaged by Kylemore Lough at Fairyhouse ten days later. That race may well have come too soon and he could bounce back to form. Rule The World comes back from his win in the National to join novice company once more, but this is a completely different test and I don't think he'll make it two from two. Henryville needs to make a big step up in grade in order to make his presence felt and although he arrives here fresh, it may well be too tough an ask. Southfield Royale steps back down in trip from his fourth in the National Hunt Chase over four miles, but he has form over this trip, having finished second to Tea for Two at Christmas. As an outsider, I wouldn't be surprised to see a big run from Sub Lieutentant. He won a Grade 3 contest over 2 and a half miles at Naas in heavy ground and he seems built for a stamina test. At a big price, I woulnd't put anyone off. As for the winner, I reckon Zabana may well get his compensation and claim the spoils.
A flat race to end the day is not my cup of tea, but if I'd have to pick one then on form, Art of Supremacy looks good. He finished well in his debut race and could have progressed from that. The other obvious choice would be the Mullins debutant from France, but they can be hit as often as miss, so I'll swerve him.
3.40 Wish Ye Didn't 6/4
4.20 Yorkhill 1/2 to beat Petit Mouchoir 11/2
4.55 Automated 7/1 & Art of Payroll 14/1
5.30 Vautour no bet
6.05 Moulin A Vent 12/1
6.40 Zabana 5/1, Sub Lieutentant 28/1
7.15 Art of Supremacy 8/1
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