UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

AUTHORIZED ART was second on his first run over hurdles at Clairefontaine in September and having shown plenty of ability on the Flat in France before that, he makes plenty of appeal on his debut outing for Willie Mullins. Batts Rock is another who is a smart performer on the level and has run with credit when tried over hurdles so far. He could build on his recent Down Royal third and is considered, along with Fightfortheroses, who came up against a useful cast including Sir Erec at Leopardstown over Christmas and could find this easier.
Prediction : 1st Authorized Art 2nd Batts Rock 3rd Fightfortheroses

RUN FOR MARY was twice successful in bumpers last summer and Charles Byrnes' hurdling newcomer will be hard to beat if in the same form, with the assistance of a top pilot in Davy Russell. Silvretta Schwarz has been kept busy on the Flat since her Cork debut and has fitness on her side, while Nancy D'Alton wasn't disgraced here in October and could find improvement.
Prediction : 1st Run For Mary 2nd Nancy DAlton 3rd Silvretta Schwarz

SHANTOU WARRIOR was a comfortable winner over 2m4f at Sligo last time and shaped like a step up in trip shouldn't be a problem. He won with enough in hand to suggest that a 7lb rise won't be too much of a limiter and Prunella Dobbs' five-year-old could fight out the finish with Napoleon Blue, who almost made a successful raid to Perth last month. Party Playboy has run well here the last twice and a combination of cheekpieces and stretching out in distance might help him get involved, while Kilbeggan second Humps And Bumps is respected off a 2lb higher rating.
Prediction : 1st Shantou Warrior 2nd Napoleon Blue 3rd Party Playboy

DAKOTA MOIRETTE returned to form when second over this trip at Down Royal earlier in the month and is expected to mount another bold bid off an unchanged rating. Jetz landed a Grade 3 contest at Navan in March and has place claims off his present mark, while the pick of the remainder may be C&D winner Kildorrery, who picked up some minor money over a similar distance at Fairyhouse last time and has since been eased 1lb.
Prediction : 1st Dakota Moirette 2nd Jetz 3rd Kildorrery

Or Jaune De Somoza beat STOWAWAY FOREVER by half a length at Fairyhouse last month, form which could be reversed with the latter meeting on 6lb better terms. Philip Dempsey's charge has hit the deck here since, but he's generally a solid jumper and looks capable of notching a first NH success. The main danger might be the other Gigginstown runner Farclas, who made the perfect start to his chasing career at Down Royal nine days ago.
Prediction : 1st Stowaway Forever 2nd Farclas 3rd Or Jaune De Somoza

PASS THE BALL switches back to fences for the first time since July 2017, when successful at Tipperary, and the 10-year-old, who arrives fit from a spin on the Flat, looks capable of giving weight and a beating to these rivals. Hoke Colburn performed well, taking third, on his first start for Brian McMahon at Kilbeggan and he warrants plenty of respect lining up off the same mark, while Home Place holds each-way claims under Rachael Blackmore.
Prediction : 1st Pass The Ball 2nd Hoke Colburn 3rd Home Place

The Mullins family are well represented with Argent Et Or (Emmet), Judex Lefou (Thomas) and Oscars Fame (Margaret), while Jamie Codd is a positive jockey booking aboard Chief Of Police, who wasn't disgraced on his Rules debut at the Festival here 11 days ago. However, the vote goes to DLAURO, who was bought for 410,000 pounds shortly after his impressive point-to-point success at Belharbour last February and although he's presumably had issues since, it's significant that powerful connections have kept the faith in this exciting six-year-old.
Prediction : 1st Dlauro 2nd Argent Et Or 3rd Judex Lefou