It’s the final hurrah of the 2013/14 National Hunt Season with the pinnacle of the Irish Calendar, The Punchestown Festival.
The carnival will run for the next five days, but only the first four are of any real quality and note.
The opening day features three super Grade 1 renewals and some really interesting supporting races. Here is my run through the opening card
Kildare Hunt Club Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase
Decent field running in the first Chase of the day and the booking of Nina Carberry on the favourite Be Positive says this one will be a serious contender. There are always fallers though in chases, so I would back a few at big prices each way.
I particularly like the claims of Nhakira and Wish ye Didnt at big prices
Herald Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m
First of the Grade 1s for the week and this will be all about the Mullins/Walsh pairing Faugheen.
It was great to see Ruby back to winning ways in the last few days after a nasty fall and a spell out of the game at Cheltenham. This lad won the Neptune back then and has one hell of an engine. A five-time winner already, he will love the ground.
At a much bigger price I expect Wicklow Brave to be in with a shout of the places
Bragbet.Com Handicap Hurdle
First of the handicaps for the week and a decent enough field of 18 runners. I quite fancy Cool MacAvity at a biggish price, but the Mullins/Walsh pairing could have a quick 1-2 on their hands with the runner in this Lucky Bridle.
Boylesports.Com Champion Chase (Grade 1)
All the talk is about Somersby and Hidden Cyclone will be fancied to finally claim a Grade 1 triumph, after three straight seconds at this level, but English raider Ballynagour looks a value each-way bet.
I would love to see Hidden Cyclone do it though, a quality horse that has so often been a bridesmaid, but never the bride.
Goffs Land Rover Bumper
Strangely enough we have a bumper up next, strange in that flat races are usually reserved for the last of the card.
I hate punting on bumpers, always huge fields and invaribly won by something at a huge price. Theres 20 in this and with no real form to go on, its like picking needles from haystacks.
At a big price each way and with the one winning run under the belt, Ustica might be worth a small punt.
Growise Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)
The third of the Grade 1s, this is probably the most interesting of the lot, as plenty have the form and the capability of taking it.
As always, Walsh/Mullins are at the top of the pile with Djakadam. The horse was looking strong when a faller last time out at Cheltenham in a race that had a few upsets. Its the most likely to win, but I wouldn’t rule out a couple of the older timers Don Cossack and Carlingford Lough, either would make a decent each way punt.
Finlay Motor Group I.N.H. Flat
Last race of the day, and its the second bumper. If the first was looking for needles in a haystack, this one is like looking for them in a sandstorm! Again hedging with an each way, I have a feeling Hasanour could defy the market and be a big winner to close the day.
Enjoy the racing, hopefully we will find a few decent winners over the next few days.
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