Evening all,
Decent results for day one, although the short price favs got overturned. Probably plenty more surprises abound, so keep an eye on short prices.
We start off with a very open handicap race at 3.40 and you could make a case for a number of these, but I'm going to have a go at Steamboat Bill. He won well enough last time out and his trainer Gordon Elliot has been in decent form. He knows how to get one ready for a handicap and the selection could well have a winning debut in a tough race.
Another hurdles race follows at 4.20 and Supasundae appears the hot favourite. I fancied him to run a big race in the Supreme, but he disappointed that time and I'm not sure this step up in trip will help him to be seen in a better light. Alternatives aplenty further down the betting with Woodland Opera and Hard to Call both having form in these conditions, but the one I like most would be Balko Des Flos. He won over C&D back in January and could well repeat that performance on a bigger stage.
Three miles Novice hurdle next and Bellshill will be the hot favourite. He's had a tough old season though and despite battling back to claim second at Aintree, I'd have to swerve him. It's a wide open race really, with the likes of General Principle, Gangster and Emerging Force, but the one I'm going to pick here is Acapella Bourgeois. He has won three out of his last four races and I think he may well grab another here.
The Punchestown Gold Cup could be the crown on the work of Colin Tizzard and Cue Card this season. He could bottom out here having had a hard season, but I don't think that'll happen. Tizzard's charge has been rejuvenated this season and unless there's a deluge of rain in the run up to this, I can't see past him. Djakadam, Don Poli and Road To Riches are the main dangers, but don't rule out the others down the betting at bigger prices. If I'd have to pick one of them to follow home Cue Card, it would be Road to Riches. This is a better trip for him and conditions will be more to his liking.
Another Bumper next (like we haven't had any of those yet!). It should be a cracking race with some highly likeable types lining up, Moon Racer among them. He could still be anything, but hasn't been seen for over a year and his readiness has to be taken on trust. Bacardys and Battleford have both ran in the bumpers at Aintree and Cheltenham and could well be running out of steam, so my preference goes to Castello Sforza. He wasn't far away in the Cheltenham bumper and swerved Aintree in favour of this. That could well stand him in good stead, but there's plenty here with a chance.
A handicap chase is our penultimate race and it's another open contest. However, I have to go with the favourite here, Colms Dream. He's been in top form all season, having won over C&D and he has the five lbs claim of Donagh Meyler to go with him. He has had a long season, but he can get one more big win on the board before a well deserved summer break.
Finally, we have a mares bumper to round things off. For me, this one is between the top four in the market. Augusta Kate, The Nipper, Forge Meadow and Copper Kay. Augusta Kate probably has the best form, having come second in the Aintree equivalent, but she's perhaps running too soon since and I'd rather pick the unexposed Forge Meadow for Jessie Harrington. She has terrific record in bumpers and this one could well be a very good mare for the Harrington team.
Wednesday's selections
3.40 Steamboat Bill 14/1
4.20 Balko Des Flos 11/2
4.55 Acapella Bourgeois 5/1
5.30 Cue Card 8/13
6.05 Castello Sforza 9/1
6.40 Colms Dream 13/2
7.15 Forge Meadow 5/1
Tuesday's Results:
3.40 Wish Ye Didn't 6/4 Won
4.20 Yorkhill 1/2 to beat Petit Mouchoir 11/2 4th & 2nd
4.55 Automated 7/1 & Art of Payroll 14/1 8th & 9th
5.30 Vautour no bet 2nd
6.05 Moulin A Vent 12/1 3rd
6.40 Zabana 5/1, Sub Lieutentant 28/1 Won & 3rd
7.15 Art of Supremacy 8/1 17th
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