Punchestown Festival – Day 3

Punchestown Festival – Day 3

The highlight of the Irish jumps racing calendar day 3 kicks off with the feature race being the Punchestown Stayers Hurdle. We have you covered with the best Punchestown tips and betting offers.

3.40 Punchestown 2m (2m40y) Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle (4yo+ 88-123)

Plenty unexposed types here and you going to have to be someway ahead of your current mark. Willie Mullins has a couple of potential improvers and Aslukwoodhavit could also go well under Mikey O` Connor. It`s the Paul Nolan trained Ifiwerearichman who I`m keen on though. The gelding was not beaten far in a Grade 3 at Thurles when last seen and the time before was not beaten far by the decent handicapper Path D`oroux. He drops back in trip on handicap debut and Rob James takes a valuable 7lbs off which could make the difference.

Selection Ifiwerearichman

4.15 Punchestown 2m Pigsback.com Handicap Chase (Grade B) (4yo+)

Dinoblue looked to have the measure of the reposing Whiskeywealth when the latter fell at the final fence in a Fairyhouse handicap 18 days ago and could have more to offer while Douglas Talking has to also be respected following his effort at Aintree. The Henry De Bromhead stable won this race last year and I think they hold strong claims once again with The Folkes Tiara. He`s still a maiden after 8 starts but his second to Final Orders in Leopardstown handicap puts him in the mix and he looks he arrives here a fresh horse who could have more to offer over the larger obstacles.

Selection The Folkes Tiara

4.50 Punchestown 4m2f (Bank) Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase (5yo+)

This looks a good opportunity for the Enda Bolger trainer Stealthy Tom who won over these obstacles 2 starts back and represents a team who excel in these races and will be tough to beat. However, Mortal could over some value he will find this easier than some of his recent races and showed up okay for a good while in 2 X Country races at Cheltenham. This is a much easier task and should be competitive.

Selection Mortal

5.25 Punchestown 2m7½f (2m7f130y) Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)

11-year-old Sire Du Berlais seems to be in the form of his life but doing the Cheltenham, Aintree Punchestown treble is some task and it might just be one race too many. Teahupoo finished third at Cheltenham and warrants respect as does Monkfish who will be a challenge to all if back near his best. However, it’s another Willie Mullins trained runner in the shape of Klassical Dream who I think will come out on top once again going for his own hattrick of wins in this race. He was not at his best at Cheltenham but he seems to save his best for Punchestown and is the choice of Paul Townend suggesting the team still hold faith and expect him to bounce back to form.

Selection Klassical Dream (NAP)

6.00 Punchestown 2m7½f (2m7f130y) Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) (4yo+)

Another race in which Willie Mullins has made his own in recent years and he looks to hold a strong hand once again most notably in the shape of the unexposed pair Parmenion and Seabank Bistro. It`s not often the English come and take a Irish handicap hurdle these days but Walking On Air looks to hold good claims of doing just that. The Nicky Henderson yard are in particular good form at the moment and the selections fifth place finish in the Pertemps suggest he can be in the mix once again. That form looks rock solid with the like of Good Time Jonny and Mill Green since going on to be competitive again at Aintree, he`s off a 2lb lower mark than last time and was arguably unlucky not to finish closer that day.

Selection Walking On Air (Next Best)

6.35 Punchestown 2m Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

This looks a straightforward task for the Arkle winner El Fabiolo in where he is likely to lead home a 1-2-3 for the Mullins team

Selection El Fabiolo

7.10 Punchestown 2m5f (2m5f50y) Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase (5yo+)

Henry de Bromhead looks to hold a strong hand here with his mares Queen Jane and Secret She Keeps while last years winner Lilith is also most likely to step forward on her recent form. It`s the second place from last year though Western Zara who I`m happy to side with. The Paul Nolan runner is a pound lower than last years mark and looks to have been kept back for a spring campaign this time around, she ran well at Cheltenham to finish seventh in the Kim Muir and this drop back in trip on better ground is more to her liking I feel.

Selection Western Zara

7.45 Punchestown 2m (2m40y) JP & M Doyle (C & G) Flat Race (4-7yo)

Ballyburn looks to hold obvious claims for the Mullins team however there are some interesting types further down the betting who also fall into the could be anything category. Slade Steel was a good winner here on debut winning with plenty in hand and the 7lb claim will be no hindrance and is worth having on your side. Barry Connell introduces Apples Of Bresil here and it will take some effort to win on debut however he could be early type on pedigree and there are plenty of winners in the family and the vibes look positive.

Selection Apples Of Bresil

Good luck with your Punchestown betting.