UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

YOUCANNOTBESERIOUS showed ability in maiden hurdles a couple of seasons ago, but now has a change in career making his Banks debut and is taken to overcome a 527-day absence. Stable companion Blue Templar went down by a head in this contest 12 months ago and sports cheekpieces for the first time, while Enniskillen, winner of this in 2017, can also be competitive despite his advancing years.
Prediction : 1st Youcannotbeserious 2nd Blue Templar 3rd Enniskillen

Quick Grabim created a lasting impression when scoring at Fairyhouse in December, although he was held behind Aramon in a Grade 3 at Navan prior to that and has a 149-day absence to overcome. Mister Blue Sky looks to be progressing through the ranks nicely, but the fourth Willie Mullins-trained runner, KLASSICAL DREAM, looks hard to oppose after his impressive Cheltenham success last month. The Supreme Novices' Hurdle scorer hammered some quality horses that day and could have been called the winner some way out. He will be a threat either in this sphere or over fences next season and looks poised to claim further success for a trainer who has landed four of the last five renewals of this race. Front-running tearaway Felix Desjy landed a Grade 1 at Aintree a few weeks ago and is respected, while the unexposed British raider Champagne Platinum is another to take seriously in a contest full of quality.
Prediction : 1st Klassical Dream 2nd Felix Desjy 3rd Aramon

Willie Mullins landed this prize last year and looks to have an intriguing candidate for this renewal in the shape of SANCTA SIMONA. Well beaten in a hot race at Fairyhouse over Easter, the six-year-old looks fairly treated off a mark of 131 based on her Grade 1 second at Leopardstown in December behind the classy Aramon. She should be suited by this strong gallop and big field and may prove too strong for Cosmo's Moon, who likes a decent surface and won his maiden nicely at Limerick, and British raider Belargus, who beat some fair sorts at Ascot when last seen in January and is likely to have had this as his target ever since.
Prediction : 1st Sancta Simona 2nd Cosmos Moon 3rd Belargus

MIN was back to his imperious best when scoring at Aintree after a lacklustre display at Cheltenham in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the eight-year-old should prove tough to stop if in the same mood as 25 days ago. He was beaten by stablemate Un De Sceaux in this race last year, but the latter seems to have declined slightly this season and his best days might just be behind him now. Great Field would be dangerous if allowed to get into a rhythm on the front end, although it is a worry that he has failed to complete the last twice, while Castlegrace Paddy should be staying on well late in the day but might just lack a class edge at this high level.
Prediction : 1st Min 2nd Un De Sceaux 3rd Great Field

A contest with a decent roll of honour including the likes of Petit Mouchoir (2015) and Commander Of Fleet (2018) taking this before going on to success at the highest level over obstacles. Both are owned by Gigginstown, who field two interesting contenders in Bulldoze, a half-brother to useful chaser Baily Cloud, and Flanking Maneuver, who is a full relative of the ill-fated Hollowgraphic. Robert Tyner has won two of the last three renewals and FISTON DE BECON makes the most appeal with Derek O'Connor taking the ride. He is related to a Listed-placed hurdler from France. Others to consider include UK raider Son Of Camas, Festival D'ex and Champagne Diva.
Prediction : 1st Fiston De Becon 2nd Bulldoze 3rd Son Of Camas

Delta Work did very little wrong when third in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham behind the top-class pair of Topofthegame and Santini and could quite easily bounce back, while Getabird seems at home on a right-handed circuit but was disappointingly defeated at Limerick on Boxing Day. He has the beating of Articulum on his past chase form, though, and could launch a bold bid having skipped the other spring festivals. Slight preference, though, is for A PLUS TARD. He has to take a step forward now moving up from handicap company into a Grade 1 contest, but he was mightily impressive in the Close Brothers Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and shouldn't have any issues now moving up in trip.
Prediction : 1st A Plus Tard 2nd Getabird 3rd Delta Work

FARCEUR DU LARGE was deemed good enough to run in Listed company on his debut at Limerick last month and, despite failing to land the gamble, performed well to finish third when suffering from some torrid luck in running. Front View was second behind Cheltenham Champion Bumper runner-up Blue Sari on debut before being brought down at Naas a few weeks later, while Zambezi Fix looks interesting for Gordon Elliott and Cheveley Park Stud given that their partnership has worked so well in this sphere this season.
Prediction : 1st Farceur Du Large 2nd Front View 3rd Zambezi Fix