Morgiana Hurdle the highlight on first day of Punchestown's Premiere weekend

It’s day one of Punchestown Racecourse’s Premiere Weekend and today’s eight-race card hosts some high class contests, namely the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle and the Grade Two Florida Pearl Chase.

Read on for a full preview of the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who also provide the latest Leopardstown betting.

The action begins with a three-year-old maiden hurdle run over the extended two miles (11.30). Jessica Harrington’s Quinta Do Lago won his hurdle debut last month on good ground by a clear margin so should factor again, but encounters much more testing conditions this time. Joseph O’Brien’s Glen To Glen should go well, having run a good race first time over hurdles at Navan last month on heavy ground and progress could be expected.

A two and a half mile maiden hurdle for four-year-olds is next (12.00). With 25 runners on the card, many of which are tried for the first time, this is a difficult race to judge on paper. JP McManus plays a strong hand, owning three of the 25, and his first string is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Sound As A Bell, who is ridden by retained rider Mark Walsh. With winning point-to-point form, he looks promising, but Gordon Elliott’s Santo Sospir has already won at this track on heavy ground like we have today and he might be a better option.

Race three is a beginners’ chase run over two miles and three furlongs (12.32). Willie Mullins’ first string here is Kitzbuhel, who was a high class hurdler last season, performing in Graded races, and plenty will be keen on him as he makes his debut over fences. He should outclass the rest if his hurdling ability translates over the larger obstacles, and stablemate Where’s My Jet might be the one to chase him home.

The Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase is next (1.05), run over three miles. Each of the six runners has had a race already this term, making this a fairly level playing field. Declan Queally’s horse Rocky’s Diamond was the highest rated hurdler of the lot and has made a strong start over fences, having place a close second in a Listed chase at Wexford last time. He ought to be the one to beat, but the heavy ground might get the best from Henry De Bromhead’s Koktail Divin and he could make the placings at least.

A two and three quarter mile handicap chase follows (1.40). With Willie Mullins’ 149-rated High Class Hero in the mix, there is a great disparity between the top and bottom ends of the handicap here, and it might be that this race is winnable for stablemate Sa Majeste. High Class Hero will take some beating though, even carrying top weight by such a margin, as he can operate on this surface. Mark Walsh’s ride for JP McManus, though, is Waterford Whispers, who may be able to spring a surprise.

The prestigious Grade One Morgiana Hurdle is race six (2.10). Run over the extended two miles, this race hosts some of the country’s best two-mile hurdlers, the best of which on ratings is the mare, Lossiemouth. Having won no less than seven Grade One races, she is the one they all have to beat, especially as she has displayed so few chinks in her armour thus far in her career. She goes well fresh, on any ground and is versatile as regards trip too. With a mare’s weight allowance, there should be very little to stop her here.

Second to last is a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.45). Three of the 13 runners won their last races; Rakki, Sticwiththeprocess and Cafe Con Leche, with Sticwiththeprocess looking the most likely to repeat that form. Collaborative might be able to place off his current mark and Catchabird could run a big race from the bottom of the handicap.

Last of all is a bumper (3.20). Gordon Elliott’s Ballyford will likely be the main fancy and seeks to maintain his short unbeaten record, as he is the winner of both a maiden point-to-point and a bumper at Down Royal, but Gavin Cromwell’s Grandy Lane looks dangerous after being only narrowly beaten last time out at Clonmel on soft ground.

Punchestown selections - Saturday (via Sporting Life):

11.30 - Glen To Glen 

12.00 - Santo Sospir 

12.32 - Kitzbuhel 

1.05 - Rocky’s Diamond 

1.40 - Waterford Whispers 

2.10 - Lossiemouth 

2.45 - Sticwiththeprocess 

3.20 - Grandy Lane