UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Peter Maher won this last season and saddles five as he looks to repeat the fete, with defending champion Alpha Male reunited with Barry O'Neill as he attempts to bounce back to form. However, preference this year is for stablemate ENNISKILLEN, with the 14-year-old shaping well over this course earlier in the week and the reduced distance of this contest may help his ageing legs. Change Your Story is another to consider from the yard with Patrick Mullins on board, while Tipp Away was second in a point last time following almost a year off the track and could surprise a few.
Prediction : 1st Enniskillen 2nd Alpha Male 3rd Change Your Story

Willie Mullins took this last season with Kemboy and has a leading chance once again with Real Steel, who could be another Grade 1 operator let loose in the handicap ranks following his second at Fairyhouse last time. Stablemate Pravalaguna boosted her confidence with a second-placed finish amongst her own sex over Easter and is respected, while Gordon Elliott's Hardline was sent off favourite for the Arkle when last seen and can't be ruled out back up in distance. Jessica Harrington has won this three times since 2013, which brings Jetz into the equation. However, POKER PARTY appears to be getting better with every run over fences and the hat-trick seeking seven-year-old could be a lot better than his current rating suggests.
Prediction : 1st Poker Party 2nd Real Steel 3rd Hardline

Gordon Elliott has a fine record in this race and his BARRA could be the answer following her respectable effort in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse last month. She can benefit from that first outing in almost a year and could be leniently treated by the assessor ahead of her first handicap run over the larger obstacles. Joseph O'Brien looks to hold a strong hand with Slowmotion, who was back in fourth in that aforementioned contest, and Grey Waters, who has been running with credit, making the podium with regularity so far this year. Carnspindle is an interesting raider for Warren Greatrex and any ease in the ground increases her chances, with Timeforwest and Moyhenna others that need to be taken seriously.
Prediction : 1st Barra 2nd Slowmotion 3rd Carnspindle

Buveur D'Air has lost his air of invincibility this season with a trio of defeats, most notably when falling as he attempted to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for the third time, and needs to turn around a length-and-a-quarter defeat by Supasundae in the Aintree Hurdle. Supasundae himself bounced back to form with a victory at Aintree after a disappointing effort in the Stayers' Hurdle and bids for a second victory in this contest, but if APPLE'S JADE returns to her early season form then she will prove difficult to beat. She emerged from her third to If The Cap Fits over 3m at Aintree with plenty of credit and the drop back in distance looks ideal for Gordon Elliott's mare.
Prediction : 1st Apples Jade 2nd Supasundae 3rd Buveur DAir

CITY ISLAND produced an excellent display to beat Champ in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival and that form received a significant boost when Nicky Henderson's gelding won in convincing style at Aintree. The son of Court Cave hasn't looked back since placing in a bumper at this meeting 12 months ago and could have a bigger performance in the locker. Battleoverdoyen was a major disappointment in the aforementioned Cheltenham contest, but this more conventional track is likely to suit him better at this stage of his career. Aintree winner Reserve Tank, Sams Profile and the returning Tornado Flyer cannot be discounted in a fascinating renewal.
Prediction : 1st City Island 2nd Battleoverdoyen 3rd Reserve Tank

STAND UP AND FIGHT has to improve on the bare form of his sixth to Hazel Hill at Cheltenham having been well fancied to go close on that occasion. However, it was a ride which appeared to have the future very much in mind and the son of Flemensfirth can end his season in the right way. Burning Ambition has the ability to win a top hunter chase but his attitude came under question after throwing away the Aintree equivalent to Top Wood. He is likely to be in the mix once again, while Ucello Conti and It Came To Pass both warrant respect on their recent victories.
Prediction : 1st Stand Up And Fight 2nd Burning Ambition 3rd Ucello Conti

It was hard not to be impressed by the Irish debut of BREAKEN, who won by 17 lengths at Limerick at the end of March, and he looks to have significant potential for champion trainer Willie Mullins. He is preferred to stable companions Cash Back and Annamix, with the former placing in a Grade 2 on his latest start at Fairyhouse. Others to consider include Dunvegan, who is likely to be suited by the drop in trip given how keenly he has raced over further, and Gardens of Babylon with the four-year-old allowance.
Prediction : 1st Breaken 2nd Cash Back 3rd Dunvegan

MONKFISH cost 235,000 pounds at the Cheltenham sales last May, having won his second start in the pointing field the month before, and has to warrant the utmost respect on his Rules debut for a leading team. Derek O'Connor has been booked again for Longhouse Poet having won his sole point on him in January and has to go on the shortlist along with Foxy Jacks, who placed in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle over Christmas, and Gold Des Bois, who makes his debut for Jessica Harrington.
Prediction : 1st Monkfish 2nd Longhouse Poet 3rd Foxy Jacks