Brennan's Brian Looks A Big Price At Punchestown

A disappointing run by Tuesday's selection Rose Red, though it wasn't devoid of promise and I still believe there is a small race somewhere to be won with her. Thursday sees plenty of action on both sides of the Irish Sea and across the water Doctor Look Here should be there or thereabouts for the Gardners at Taunton. He is short enough in the betting though and I have my eye on a much bigger priced selection at Punchestown.

The 2m2f maiden hurdle at 2.25 is a foregone conclusion according to the bookies, and the Ricci/Mullins hotpot Min is a warm order at a best price of 4/7 at the time of writing. Chances are that this horse is a cut above his rivals here, but after a year off the track he is not one to be getting carried away with, especially in such a big field. The 2nd favourite, owned by Gigginstown, also has a long absence to overcome, even if he was impressive in winning his point.

However, at a much bigger price Our Brian looks a very interesting runner. He was campaigned only on quick ground in points, and he returned from a break in October to break his maiden at Tinahely in good style. He made his hurdling debut at Wexford over 16f a couple of weeks later, his first run on easy ground, and after getting outpaced he stayed on eyecatchingly in the last couple of furlongs to grab an unlikely looking 3rd. JJ Slevin rode that day and comes back across from England, where he is now based with the Twiston Davies' yard, to get the leg up on Our Brian again today. He also rode for his point to point win and he is a stylish pilot with lots of potential. He takes off a handy 7lb.

Now the worry with Our Brian is undoubtedly the soft ground, and by the time they line up for this race it is likely to be heavy. However, he didn't mind a slight ease last time at Wexford, and his sire Brian Boru's progeny generally relish a slog. He has an 11% strike rate on heavy and a 10% strike rate on soft, compared to just 6% on good to firm. If his influence wins out over the dam then Our Brian could be set to run a big race at very big odds for John Paul Brennan. Stakes should be kept low due to doubts about the ground, but at 33/1 he is surely worth chancing each way in the hope that he builds on the definite promise he showed last time.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 2.25 PUNCHESTOWN-OUR BRIAN E/W 33/1