It was one of those days today and to be honest, it was hard to find the motivation to go through the cards for Day 3. Killaro Boy ran a good race, but I was disappointed he didn’t win. I am not one to criticise jockeys but I think young O’Brien could have made more use of him as he ran on well after jumping the last. He is still one to watch out for when he gets genuine good ground.
Road To Respect managed to grab 3rd but he never jumped as well as he is capable of and that cost him any chance. Rock De Baume ran well to a point but faded badly, while Dorking Boy seemed to get caught out on the ground. Vicente De Noyer ran a good race, but he just didn’t have the toe to get involved at the finish. Here is hoping for a little more luck on Day 3.
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| Deor is interesting on his run at Galway. |
Race 1
A nice little 29 runner 16f handicap hurdle kicks off Day 3 at Punchestown and this is an absolute minefield for punters. Small stakes at big odds is the way to go and the one I am interested in at a big price is Deor for John Kiely with Ambrose McCurtin claiming 5lb. This 7yo son of Galileo has failed to fire thus far this season, but the return to hurdles on half decent ground might show him in a better light.
He is relatively unexposed over timber, winning a maiden hurdle at Cork (16f gd) on his hurdling debut and following that up with a more than decent effort in a Novice at Galway last August. He was 4th behind Housesofparliament that day beaten 8L conceding 10lbs and that horse is now rated 131. Boherbuoy was a neck behind Deor off level weights and he was beaten just over a length by Lagostovegas off a mark of 125 on his next start, so there is substance to the form.
Deor has been badly out of form in both codes this season and he was very well beaten on heavy ground at Cork last month on the flat over 10f. He was also well beaten on his last hurdle start at Leopardstown but that was a far hotter race than this. Ambrose McCurtin has a win and 5 top 4 finishes from just 10 rides for John Kiely and hopefully he can hit the frame on Deor in this contest at odds of 33/1.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: DEOR E/W @ 33/1
Race 2
It doesn’t get any easier in the second race on Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival. 24 horses go to post in this 2 mile handicap chase and whatever wins will need a big slice of luck around here. Bon Papa is undoubtedly a classy performer and I backed him in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December when he finished 3rd, a mile behind Shattered Love. He ran well last time, but I think he might need slightly further to be seen to best effect.
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| Hurricane Ben has a fine record at this time of year. |
I am going to take a chance on Hurricane Ben bouncing back to form for James Sheehan, with top pilot Noel Fehily a very interesting booking. This 9yo son of Beneficial is versatile regarding ground and he was a fine 4th behind Don’t Touch it here off 145 last year, beaten around 4L. He has been pulled up on both starts this season, which is an obvious worry, but his is likely to have been trained with this race in mind.
His trainer, Cork based James Sheehan, doesn’t have a huge string and this fella is undoubtedly his stable star. He should appreciate the yielding ground at Punchestown and he has made a habit of running into top form at this time of year. His career form figures in April read 2114 and his front running style should help him stay out of trouble. At odds of 33/1 he is worth chancing each way.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: HURRICANE BEN E/W @ 33/1
Race 3
The La Touche is a race I thoroughly enjoy watching, but not one I enjoy betting on. No bet.
Race 4
Given that he was off for a year, I think Penhill’s win in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham was one of the best performances of the week. Paul Townend, who went from hero to zero and back to hero in the space of 18 hours rides, and if Penhill reproduces that Cheltenham run he is going to be very difficult to beat. He absolutely hacked up and if he comes on for the outing he will win this doing handstands.
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| A peak Penhill will be hard to beat. |
The decision to step Faugheen up to 3 miles smacks of desperation but given the day Willie Mullins had yesterday a big run would come as no big shock. At a monster price I think Shaneshill could surprise with a good run. He has failed to fire on his last three starts but his 5L defeat to Balko Des Flos at Galway last year when conceding 6lb doesn’t look half bad now and he found only a peak Thistlecrack too good in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree two years ago. If he is on a going day he could go well at odds of 33/1.
STEVOS’ SELECTIONS: PENHILL NAP 2/1; SHANESHILL E/W 33/1
Race 5
This is yet another ultra competitive heat with a field of 25 horses going to post for a 24f handicap hurdle. It is no surprise to see Folsom Blue near the head of the market. He races off a mark of 128 and he was narrowly beaten in the most unlucky circumstances in the Irish Grand National on his last outing off 142 last time. Bellshill franked that form in no uncertain terms on Wednesday and off just 128 he looks thrown in.
However, these races are rarely that simple and at a much bigger price I think Dadsintrouble could outrun his odds for Welsh raider Tim Vaughan and Alan Johns. This fella seems to come to life at this time of year and he can be forgiven a below par run in the Pertemps at Cheltenham on very testing ground. The ground shouldn’t be as bad at Punchestown and he is just 3lb higher than his last winning mark of 129. At odds of 40/1 he could give each way backers a run for their money if on a going day.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: DADSINTROUBLE E/W @ 40/1
Race 6
On all known form Footpad should win this easily and with just seven runners I am swerving this one. No bet on this race or in the last two races either.
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