UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Jessica Harrington loves to target this meeting and will be hoping PRESS CONFERENCE can follow in the footsteps of Grand National second Magic Of Light, who won this in 2017. The son of Getaway gained his first success at Limerick over the Christmas period, where he claimed the scalp of the highly-touted Annamix, and appears to have been lined up for a contest of this nature ever since. Falak returns from a winter break and showed some decent form in the autumn when third at Kelso, while the JP McManus-owned trio of Musical Slave, Rock De Baune and Duc De Beauchene all warrant consideration with the scope for further progression.
Prediction : 1st Press Conference 2nd Falak 3rd Musical Slave

ZERO TEN lost his unbeaten hurdles record when denied by less than a length in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse and, on that showing, looks more than capable of successfully giving weight all round. The Big Dog was disappointing when fancied for a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival, but had got the better of Voix Des Tiep at Gowran the time before and could confirm that form despite the latter winning since. Whatsafellatodo won two on the bounce in the autumn and could take another step forward having joined Martin Brassil.
Prediction : 1st Zero Ten 2nd The Big Dog 3rd Voix Des Tiep

VISION D'HONNEUR was disappointing in the Supreme behind Klassical Dream when quietly fancied to give a decent account on that soft ground. Prior to Cheltenham, he shaped as though a step up in trip would pose no issues and he is taken to end his campaign in winning form. Things haven't gone to plan over fences for Paloma Blue, but he has the ability to make an impact if running to his best, while Crack Mome and Crack Tiepy are respected despite returning from lengthy absences.
Prediction : 1st Vision DHonneur 2nd Paloma Blue 3rd Crack Mome

MINELLA INDO (first), Commander Of Fleet (second), and Allaho (third) featured in a top-class renewal of the Albert Bartlett and Henry de Bromhead's charge is fancied to prove too strong once more. A shock 50-1 winner at Cheltenham, there looked to be no fluke about his success as he travelled and jumped his rivals into the ground under a positive Rachael Blackmore ride. He will be some sight to witness when eventually chasing, but can add further Grade 1 glory to his CV before that day comes. Allaho is another exciting prospect for Willie Mullins and Cheveley Park, and he could prove the main danger this time. Carefully Selected, who missed Cheltenham, may prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Minella Indo 2nd Allaho 3rd Carefully Selected

Ruby Walsh hasn't had much luck in some of the big Grade 1 staying chases this season having selected Bellshill in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (pulled up) and Savills Chase at Leopardstown (fourth), with both contests won by the other Willie Mullins inmates in here, but he looks to have got it right with impressive Betway Bowl winner KEMBOY. The seven-year-old's supporters will have wondered what might have been but for a first-fence blunder at Cheltenham given the authority of that Aintree performance, and he can make it six wins from his last seven. Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo is a big danger but needs some give in the ground to be seen at his best, while Monalee will find this trip testing his stamina once more.
Prediction : 1st Kemboy 2nd Al Boum Photo 3rd Bellshill

SANTA ROSSA ran with a great deal of credit for third in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree against the geldings, despite racing too keenly for her own good on softer ground than she had encountered previously, and the daughter of Jeremy can take advantage of her mares' allowance. Abacadabras looked a more tractable ride when fourth to Envoi Allen at Cheltenham and has to warrant consideration with likely improvement to come. Embittered shaped well when third on his second start for Joseph O'Brien at the Dublin Racing Festival and can take a step forward, as can recent Fairyhouse winner Golden Spread.
Prediction : 1st Santa Rossa 2nd Abacadabras 3rd Embittered

JETT landed his first Graded success when defeating useful rivals at Fairyhouse during their Easter meeting and arrives with leading claims, despite a 9lb penalty to carry for that victory. Willie Mullins won this last season and saddles two, Class Conti, who was an impressive winner on his stable debut last time, and Livelovelaugh, who set the pace for a long way in the Grand National before his stamina ran out. 2017 winner Sizing Granite, War Sound and O O Seven provide a strong UK challenge, while Ben Dundee placed at the Cheltenham Festival and has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Jett 2nd Class Conti 3rd Ben Dundee

Willie Mullins has won two of the three renewals of this and has a strong hand once again with a trio of contenders, Pont Aval, Stops A Nation and Yukon Lil. However, it is perhaps of real note that Patrick Mullins has decided to remain aboard Henry de Bromhead's MINELLA MELODY, who was last seen finishing second in Aintree's Grade 2 Mares' bumper. She lost little in defeat that day, finding just the Champion Bumper fifth too good on that occasion, and could gain compensation. Daylight Katie was third in that Aintree contest and is respected, with Listed winner Gypsy Island also of real interest in search of a hat-trick. Miss Honey Ryder and Hawthorn Cottage look to have place claims.
Prediction : 1st Minella Melody 2nd Gypsy Island 3rd Daylight Katie