Punchestown Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Tuesday’s Eight-Race Meeting

It’s Punchestown Racecourse’s Festive Treat Day today and the card consists of eight races; two over fences and six over hurdles. The afternoon’s feature is a Listed Mares Novice Hurdle.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Punchestown card, courtesy of BOYLE Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.

Up first is a rated novice chase run over an extended two miles (11.50). Emmet Mullins’ Chance Another One won first time over fences at Kempton and can be competitive once again here. Henry De Bromhead’s horse, Its Bilbo, must be taken seriously, though. Last seen finishing a respectable fourth behind an emphatic Kopek Des Bordes on his first start over fences at Navan on soft to heavy ground, he’s got a good foundation to build from and the ground today won’t put him off.

Next we have a beginners’ chase run over two miles and seven furlongs (12.20). Another for Henry De Bromhead, Butch Cassidy could go well in Coolmore colours after a good start over fences at Navan, but Willie Mullins’ Argento Boy looks promising too, despite not being the stables’ first string in the race, having won well on heavy ground at this track in a maiden hurdle.

Race three is a maiden hurdle run over two miles and three furlongs (12.50). This is quite an open race with some smart representatives of good stables in the mix, but Willie Mullins’ Fillyoureye looks to be the best of them today. He’ll go on the ground and has already finished second of 22 in a maiden hurdle. Zanoosh should be the one to chase him home.

Our Listed Mares Novice Hurdle follows, run over two miles and three furlongs (1.20). This is a competitive race with lots of good recent form on show, but Ross O’Sullivan’s Switch From Diesel has the best form on heavy ground and also has beaten some good horses in graded bumpers, so ought to be capable at this level and can win under Donagh Meyler.

A two-mile maiden hurdle is next (1.50). Gordon Elliott’s Newbrook Diamond sets the standard on form, having won a decent point-to-point in March before placing second on hurdle debut on testing ground at Naas last month. He should be the one to beat. Fly Away Home is an interesting newcomer who is probably best watched but may progress nicely as the season goes on.

Race six is a two-mile hurdle (2.20). Jigaro reverts back to hurdles having been tried over fences in Kopek Des Bordes’ race last month, and is a classy horse on his day, but Joseph Murphy’s Immutable looks an option too. He is fit from a Flat campaign, goes on heavy ground and is the winner of a maiden hurdle from last term, so we know he has ability. He could run to a place at least.

The second last race is the first division of a three-mile handicap hurdle (2.50). In an open-looking race, Gerard Keane’s Yoursimplythebest should be worthy of some attention, having finished a good third of 21 at this track in November over half a mile less on similar going. She may improve for the extra distance and could even prove to be well treated if taking to the stayers’ trip.

Finally, the second division is our last race (3.23). Similarly to the first division, this is a warm contest with a good number of runners with chances. One of these could be Johnny Cakes, who has won at this track on heavy ground and could be at the right end of the handicap to win this race at a stage of the day when conditions could become rather attritional.

All the races can be viewed on Racing TV, where you can also find Cheltenham free bets.

Punchestown selections - Tuesday:

11.50 - Its Bilbo 

12.20 - Argento Boy 

12.50 - Fillyoureye 

1.20 - Switch From Diesel 

1.50 - Newbrook Diamond 

2.20 - Immutable 

2.50 - Yoursimplythebest 

3.23 - Johnny Cakes