Punchestown Racecourse: Preview and tips for Wednesday’s eight-race meeting

It’s the second day of Punchestown’s opening National Hunt meeting and today’s eight-race card brings us two Graded chases alongside a bumper, a handicap chase and four races over hurdles.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Punchestown card, brought to you by Betano, who have all the horse racing odds.

First up is a three-year-olds’ academy hurdle run over two miles and three furlongs (13.35). All of the seven runners are debutants so this race could go in any direction, and all the contenders have a mostly Flat pedigree. The market will best advise, but at first glance, Gavin Cromwell’s Lunar Stride looks interesting.

Next is an extended two-mile maiden hurdle (14.10). Issy’s Lad and Ragstoriches are newcomers, while Fiveandahalf is a bumper winner, and Magna Gee Gee is a Flat winner. Apache Peak hasn’t won a race yet but has been competitive in some classy bumpers, and there three point-to-point winners. This is a hot race. Apache Peak still has further potential and is the pick here.

An extended two-mile mares’ handicap hurdle follows (14.45). Astelia, Fraher Field and The Dotski all won their latest starts, so this is another hyper-competitive affair. Cleopatra’s Needle is handy at this mark, not beaten too far last time, but The Dotski looks the one to beat based on her very good win at Ballinrobe.

Race four is a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (15.20). Avalo ran well for fifth of 14 last time and has first-time cheekpieces on today, which might help. Friary Road’s mark is very attractive and he is fit from a Flat campaign, while Wonderful Everyday must be watched in the market, due to his consistency and coming from Willie Mullins’ yard.

Our fifth race is a Grade Three novice chase run over two and a quarter miles (15.55). Emmet Mullins’ Vitorio Piel looked to be becoming a high class individual last term and is exciting on reappearance here, while Miss Fourie placed in a Grade Three chase last month and makes appeal again. Bunting has the highest rating and runs in the most prominent colours, carried by the likes of Energumene, and he’s fit from a Flat campaign.

Next is another Grade Three chase, run over two miles and seven furlongs (16.30). Gorgeous Tom and Croke Park are the class acts here, both having picked up plenty of prize money in Graded company over the last season. Gorgeous Tom is the more consistent of the pair and his trainer Henry De Bromhead is in good form. Apple’s Of Bresil might need to be watched out for, though.

Second to last is a QR handicap chase run over two and three quarter miles (17.07). My Cullen is in good form and might still be competitive on a slightly higher mark than last time, while Aurora Fortuna might have a chance, down one pound from his latest run. Western Model might have a good run in him as well, given seven pounds by his rider.

Last of all is a bumper for four-year-olds (17.40). We have four previous winners in the mix here, the best of which was Frisco Lad, who won on debut by over four lengths. The filly Hutton Star’s win was also comfortable and she is exciting here too, while El Bilo looks the nicest of the newcomers on paper.