4:20 Punchestown - Herald Champion Novice Hurdle - Faugheen
Faugheen will be a warm order to follow up his Cheltenham victory as he drops back to the basement trip of 2 miles for the first time since his Bumper days. Of course he won the Neptune over two miles and five furlongs at the Festival but jumped much better bar two hurdles late on in the race. Connections will have learned a lot about him that day as it was his first real test which he passed with flying colours, but a drop to the minimum trip could see him be even better. He must take on seven opponents with five of them all falling victim to Faugheen's stable mate Vautour in the Supreme Novices back in March.
What does the future hold for Faugheen though? I said to many after Cheltenham that Faugheen looks more of a Champion Hurdle horse than Vautour despite winning at different distances, that is corrected this week however. Every time Faugheen has been asked to jump at a break neck pace he has excelled and last time saw him at his most fluent bar the two bad mistakes late on. Not overly one to take at his short price but definitely one to double up with a selection later on in the blog. (4/5)
4:55 Punchestown - Bragbet.com Handicap Hurdle - Dalasiri
The third race of the Punchestown Festival will likely cause a more competitive affair than the previous contest with an 18 runner handicap Hurdle. Sabrina Harty was successful at this meeting last year with Dalasiri and she bids to follow that up in 2014 with her stable star. More recently Dalasiri has been seen on the polytrack at Dundalk when running with credit behind Wither Hills over two miles. He was last seen over hurdles around two months ago when finishing 6th in a handicap over two and a half miles, so again we have a horse dropping in trip. The handicapper has reacted to that performance by lowering his handicap mark to two pounds which should help along with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.
Among the other 17 runners there are a few interesting ones and Lucky Bridle is sure to be popular but it's Arthur Moore's Sea Beat who could pose the biggest threat. The latter mention steps into handicap company for the first time today after landing his first victory on his third attempt in a Maiden hurdle beating Le Vent D'Antan. The most eye catching thing about him today is the monster four year old allowance, but Dalasiri is taken to land this event. (25/1)
5:30 Punchestown - Boylesports.com Champion Chase - Module
After Sprinter Sacre won this race last year, this term's renewal leaves a sour taste in the mouth but Sizing Europe runs in what his likely to be his swansong. In the absence of Sprinter Sacre Barry Geraghty takes the ride on Module for Tom George who was last seen when flying home late on in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He missed Aintree through a bout of Mild Colic but has seemingly recovered from that and takes his chance today. In truth two miles probably isn't his optimum trip but the slower ground today should help put his stamina to good use against his more experienced rivals. Earlier on in the season he was fancied in the Peterborough Chase before disappointing, but made amends for that by winning the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury before Cheltenham. Module to have his big day this season on his way to bigger things. (11/2)
6:40 Punchestown - Growise Champion Novice Chase - Djakadam
If you are unlucky enough to follow me on Twitter or have read my blog before, you will know how highly I rate Djakadam. Since his Juvenile days he has showed huge promise to match his ginormous frame and he hasn't disappointed over fences so far despite falling at Cheltenham. I was hesitant of his chances at the Festival this year as he is still only a five year old and didn't get the allowance he has had all season and today. He travelled very well until coming to grief four out when usually his jumping is one of his assets and it was until that mistake. Today will see him tackle three miles plus for the first time which should bring out more improvement and Ruby chooses him over Ballycasey. Djakadam to take all the beating and solidify his future Gold Cup claims. (3/1)
NAP - Djakadam
Nb - Faugheen
Double with Faugheen and Djakadam pays around 7/1 with Boylesports
Good luck today and as always, Happy Punting!
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