Punchestown Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Thursday’s Eight-Race Card

The jumping action is back at Punchestown Racecourse on Thursday and the afternoon’s eight races includes two steeplechases and six hurdle contests.

Read on for a preview of the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the Leopardstown Festival Christmas Festival betting odds.

The first race is an extended three-mile handicap chase (11.55). The going is likely to be testing come the off, so good form on soft or heavy ground is what we’re looking for here. Duffys Hodey looks worth considering, making his second start over fences on ground he can handle well, but others are better proven over the larger obstacles. JP McManus’ A Great Buzz is on what should be a winnable mark now and does well on difficult ground, so he could be our winner on his fourth start over fences.

Next is an extended two-mile rated novice chase (12.30). Anthony McCann’s Luminous Light is capable on soft and could be involved having placed over fences last time, while Enda Bolger’s Dont Tell Jack looks a likely candidate too, having been useful over hurdles and is potentially better over fences. Thomas Gibney’s Leave In Secret could have the edge, though, as he is proven on tricky ground, gets the trip and has already had a run this term.

Race three is a fillies’ academy hurdle, run over two and a quarter miles (1.00). All but three of the 15 runners are newcomers, with Rare Times, Powerful Rosie and Infinity Succes having started their hurdle campaigns already, with the latter being the best on form at present. She wears blinkers for her second start, and could improve on a midfield finish here for Declan Queally. Gordon Elliott’s debutant, Highland Crystal, should be worth considering though, with a very smart pedigree and running for top connections.

A two-mile hurdle for three-year-olds follows (1.35). In My Teens and Dream Angel both switch codes from the Flat for the first time here, while Mode Avion and In The Minus have won National Hunt races already. Matthew Smith’s runner, I’ll Be Handy, looks ready for a big run here, having run very well on soft to heavy ground at Fairyhouse last time, and he could win this under five-pound claimer James Smith.

The fifth race is a two-mile maiden hurdle (2.10). With a full-sized field of 22 runners, many of which are totally unexposed as of yet, this is tough race to judge, but it makes sense to side with horses who are race fit, given that the ground will be hard work. Noel Meade’s Colcannon is a classy individual but lacks a run this term, so Henry De Bromhead’s Fedneys Park makes some more appeal, having run a good race on reappearance in a mares’ bumper last month. She can handle the ground and could be a player.

Next is a two-mile handicap hurdle (2.45). Few of the eight runners here have excellent credentials on soft ground, but the Tiernan Power Roche-ridden Marelly has some of the best, so he should enter calculations here. He must, though, put a disappointing run last time at Wexford behind him, but could be well placed in the weights to do so.

Second to last is a two and a half mile maiden hurdle (3.18). We have just six runners here, of which Kofino and Yeshil are the only ones making a start to the new season here. The Margaret Mullins-trained Eagle’s Quest looks to have a fair chance under Danny Mullins, fit from a run on the Flat having been tried over hurdles in the summer, while Gordon Elliott’s Jonny Carrol warrants consideration too.

Racing concludes with a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (3.48). Another full-sized field of 22 runners, this is not an easy race to select from, but Cian Collins’ Blue Reed should be in with a chance here. He runs off a four-pound lower mark than when second over course and distance in February on similar ground, and he is given seven pounds to boot by his rider, so ought to have at least an each-way opportunity.

Punchestown selections - Thursday:

11.55 - A Great Buzz 

12.30 - Leave In Secret 

1.00 - Highland Crystal 

1.35 - I’ll Be Handy 

2.10 - Fedneys Park 

2.45 - Marelly 

3.18 - Eagle’s Quest 

3.48 - Blue Reed