Punchestown Day 5 Selections

We were out of luck yesterday but a couple of the selections ran good races. My Tent Or Yours had to settle for second place yet again behind Wicklow Brave, who was given a very clever ride by Paddy Mullins. Robbie Power has had a brilliant week, but I don’t think he will be too happy with the ride he gave Finian’s Oscar. He went for home much too soon in my opinion, and he was reeled in late on by Bacardys.

Padraig’s Joy was never involved and her run was too bad to be true. Mystical Knight drifted out to 33/1 but I thought he was a big eyecatcher, travelling strongly into the race until a mistake at the 2nd last cost him any chance of a win. He is a horse to keep a close eye on in staying chases as he looks to be on a good mark. Hopefully we get a bit more luck on Saturday, and you can read my thoughts on the card below.

It could be a good day for Gordon Elliott.

Race 1

Not a race I have a strong opinion on. One to watch and enjoy.

Race 2

This looks an extremely competitive 3m 6f handicap chase, and a case can be made for a lot of horses. One that stands out for me right down the bottom is Whatareudoingtome, and he could be of interest at this sort of trip off a feather weight. This 7yo son of High Chapparal won two chases last Spring at Gowran and Wexford, the last one coming at the latter track off 102.

He has won three races under rules in total, and his hurdle victory came on yielding. He was a big eyecatcher on his seasonal return here back in December (25.5f sft), outpaced turning in but staying on strongly for 4th and nearly snatching 3rd. Whatareudoingtome was in the process of running a nice race last time when unseating at Fairyhouse, and if Slippers Madden can get him to put in a clear round he is capable of going close at odds of 20/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: WHATAREUDOINGTOME E/W @ 20/1

Race 3

Apple’s jade is going to be a warm order for the mare’s champion hurdle, and if she can repeat the form of her Cheltenham win she will be hard to beat. She is a shade of odds on though, and at that sort of price she is worth taking on. Karalee is a fascinating contender for Rich Ricci, and Ruby Walsh rides.

However, she has to prove she belongs at this level and she looks short enough for what she has achieved.  Last year’s winner Whiteout has yet to hit form this season, but this track and nice ground seem to bring the best out in her. At odds of 22/1 she looks overpriced for Willie and David Mullins and a small e/w bet is advised.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: WHITEOUT E/W @ 22/1

Race 4

Mega Fortune looks the one to be on here for Gordon Elliott. This son of Soldier Of Fortune bumped into a classy animal in Defi Du Seuil at the Cheltenham Festival and both he and Baupame had Landofhopeandglory a couple of lengths behind. Gordon Elliott needs to have a big day to get back to the front in the race for leading trainer, and Mega Fortune can confirm Cheltenham form with those two and land his second Grade 1 hurdle.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MEGA FORTUNE @ 5/2 NAP

Race 5

This is another tricky looking handicap chase and I think it could be worth chancing Solstice Son off a feather weight for Jonathan Moore and Anthony Honeyball. This yard sent out Cresswell Breeze to run a big race here earlier in the week, and he would have been placed at least only for being badly hampered at the last. Honeyball wouldn’t be bringing horses over just for the day out, and he has had a couple of places from 6 runners at Punchestown.

Solstice Son comes here after the guts of a year off, but he has a very good record fresh. His last two wins came in March and April last year, his last one coming at Cheltenham (25f gd) off a mark of 123. He is only 4lb higher here and judging by how easily he won at Cheltenham that should be well within his compass. His form figures after a break of 78 days or more read 21126, so at odds of 33/1 I think he is worth chancing for small stakes e/w.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SOLSTICE SON E/W @ 33/1

Race 6

I tipped up Scoir Mear in the Coral Cup at a huge price and with a bit more luck in running he would have finished a lot closer to the winner. He is a pound lower here with conditions to suit, but unfortunately the bookies are on to him now and he is short enough at 11/2. Scoir Mear was beaten at Navan last December by Automated (20f soft) and Gordon Elliott’s charge is 2lb better off here.

Automated was a good deal behind Scoir Mear in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, but he had an excuse that day as he finished lame. Bryan Cooper has been booked for the ride and that is an interesting move as Gigginstown have two runners, so you would have to think he has good reason for choosing to ride Automated. He can be backed at 20/1 and on his form with Scoir Mear he looks massively overpriced.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: AUTOMATED E/W @ 20/1

Race 7

Last, but not least, we have a bumper and the one I like here is the Shane Nolan trained Sinnerman. Simone ran a huge race for us at 40/1 earlier this week for the same connections, and this 5yo son of Beat All looks bred to be useful and he was bought for 17k at the Goffs’ Sale back in 2015.

He is a half brother to seven winners in total, including the likes of Learning The Blues, Flatfoot Boogie and Change Partner (the dam of Karalee). Nolan can ready one first time up, and he nearly had a trip to the winner’s enclosure with Caolaneoin earlier in the week. At odds of 14/1 Sinnerman looks worth chancing each way in an open looking race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SINNERMAN E/W @ 14/1