UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

FEELING THE LOVE enjoyed a fruitful spell last summer, winning a trio of handicaps in the space of a few weeks, and was last seen finishing third to Pearl Of The West, winner of a handicap here on Tuesday, at Bellewstown. She returns from a break and could have further improvement to come for a yard that have a fine record at this meeting. Le Vagabond hasn't raced over hurdles for nearly a year but has kept good company on the Flat, including when second to Wicklow Brave at Killarney in July, and looks fairly handicapped still over timber, while the booking of Connor Brace on Shanroe Tic Tec could see him bounce back to form after a disappointing effort at Bangor last time.
Prediction : 1st Feeling The Love 2nd Le Vagabond 3rd Shanroe Tic Tec

Impact Factor gained a rather fortuitous victory at Fairyhouse, when getting off the mark over fences, having benefited from the errant Mind's Eye running out at the second last and taking SNUGSBOROUGH HALL with him. A pair of cheekpieces could help Mind's Eye, who most certainly has the ability if putting it all in, but the vote goes to the latter as he appeared the most likely winner at the time he was carried out and the handicapper was kind in only putting him up 1lb. Liam Cusack's gelding also appears to have turned a corner, having won his previous two outings, and he appeals as having further scope for improvement. Croco Bay and Moon Over Germany already have big spring handicap successes under their belts, having won at Cheltenham and Aintree respectively, and the pair both warrant a fair amount of respect.
Prediction : 1st Snugsborough Hall 2nd Croco Bay 3rd Moon Over Germany

JOSIES ORDERS stood no chance against the remarkable Tiger Roll at Cheltenham when best of the remainder, albeit 22 lengths behind the dual-Grand National winner, and has the perfect opportunity to go one better than 12 months ago to add yet another victory in this contest for Enda Bolger. Jarob was nine lengths behind the selection in fifth at Prestbury Park and can chase him home here, while Sizing Coal could arguably have won his latest start at Fairyhouse had he not made a mistake at the final fence and is of interest on his second try over this unique course.
Prediction : 1st Josies Orders 2nd Jarob 3rd Sizing Coal

BAPAUME produced a career-best effort when fourth to Paisley Park in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and he has the potential to improve again for the application of a tongue-tie. Aux Ptits Soins bounced back to form with a vengeance when routing a competitive field of handicappers at Aintree, but this looks a tougher assignment and his record in Graded company, outside of handicaps, isn't much to write home about. The main threats to the selection could come from Not Many Left, who has improved considerably this campaign over timber and arrives on the back of a fine performance when second to Rashaan at Fairyhouse, and, at a bigger price, Dortmund Park, as he comes into this fresher than most of his rivals and the step back up to 3m should pose no concerns.
Prediction : 1st Bapaume 2nd Not Many Left 3rd Dortmund Park

Three Musketeers made a blistering start to life with Gordon Elliott when landing a similar contest over 2m4f at Aintree last month and, despite shouldering top weight here, he has to be respected. Elwood and the hat-trick seeking Present In Court are others representing the Cullentra House handler to consider, while Joseph O'Brien's Smoking Gun is also of interest going in search of a three-timer. Pertemps Hurdle fourth Cuneo can't be ignored off a 1lb lower mark, while Jessie Harrington's record at this meeting brings recent Fairyhouse scorer Discordantly into the equation. However, preference is for CAPTAIN DRAKE, who was second on his latest outing off this figure at Kelso but is perhaps best judged on his Southwell rout before that, when an impressive 16-length winner on his first try over three miles. Handler Harry Fry took this race in 2017 and it is also worth noting Sean Bowen has chosen the selection over stablemate Air Horse One. Novices Acey Milan and Bialco could surprise a few.
Prediction : 1st Captain Drake 2nd Cuneo 3rd Three Musketeers

DEFI DU SEUIL proved a popular winner when landing the JLT at Cheltenham and it is interesting that connections drop back to the minimum distance here having missed Aintree due to a slight problem. That shouldn't prove too much of an issue with the six-year-old possessing plenty of stamina, along with a turn of foot which kicks in when needed at the finish. The form of that Cheltenham race took a huge boost when Lostintranslation scored during the Grand National meeting and a truly-run two miles could see the selection excel once again. It is easy to crab Duc Des Genievres' Arkle victory, but he won in the fashion of a proper Grade 1 performer and has to be given the utmost respect here, with stablemate Chacun Pour Soi also of interest following his ultra-impressive stable debut at Naas. Ornua got the better of Us And Them when making all in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase last time and both could have a say here, while Voix Du Reve took the big novice Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last month and is another who is hard to rule out.
Prediction : 1st Defi Du Seuil 2nd Duc Des Genievres 3rd Ornua

Black Tears (fourth) finished ahead of ELFILE (sixth) in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Willie Mullins' five-year-old turned the tables in a recent Fairyhouse Grade 1 to finish second and get closest to a runaway winner in the same ownership. The drop back in trip should pose minimal problems and the ease in the ground will suit the Closutton mare. The lightly-raced Deadringerforlove is also noted following a smooth transition to hurdles last time.
Prediction : 1st Elfile 2nd Black Tears 3rd Deadringerforlove

Willie Mullins has won this three times since 2013 and saddles a leading contender once again in THE BIG GETAWAY. The 230,000-pound purchase travelled like the best horse in the race when narrowly denied on his first outing, he looks a real talent for the future and the point winner appears capable of opening his account here. The well-regarded Fury Road left his disappointing Leopardstown debut behind him when scoring in style last time and has to be taken seriously, while fellow Gigginstown contender Sixshooter will be looking to build on his own recent victory.
Prediction : 1st The Big Getaway 2nd Fury Road 3rd Sixshooter