UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

CAPTAIN CJ has achieved a strong level of form in his three chase starts at Fairyhouse this autumn and the eight-year-old appears likely to benefit from the step up in trip based on his third to Carefully Selected. Martin Pipe winner Early Doors ran well on his chasing bow at Galway and is entitled to be in the mix on that display, while Eurobot and Ontheropes remain unexposed after a handful of starts each.
Prediction : 1st Captain Cj 2nd Early Doors 3rd Eurobot

SALSARETTA made a pleasing start to her chasing career here over slightly shorter in November and a repeat of that performance back against her own sex could make her tough to beat. Kupatana sports a tongue-tie for the first time which could see her bounce back after not firing on her first two outings for Henry de Bromhead, while Agusta Gold's second in a Grade 3 at Cork earlier in the month suggests she will be competitive.
Prediction : 1st Salsaretta 2nd Kupatana 3rd Agusta Gold

PASLEY was beaten at odds-on when runner-up at Cork earlier in the month but he can bounce back from that performance in a contest where the majority of his rivals have something to prove. Three Comets was a useful performer on the level for Roger Varian and could be very interesting if translating that ability to this sphere, while others to note include Cape Islay, formerly with Mark Johnston, and Gealach.
Prediction : 1st Pasley 2nd Three Comets 3rd Cape Islay

Saglawy hasn't been at his best on the Flat and perhaps a switch to this sphere will see him in a better light, while Sizing John, absent since December 2017, might just require this outing under the guidance of Barry Geraghty. Irish National hero Burrows Saint may just find this trip on the sharp side and preference is for his stablemate, STRATUM. The Cesarewitch winner caught the eye when fourth over C&D in May and is well worth noting now just 3lb higher.
Prediction : 1st Stratum 2nd Sizing John 3rd Saglawy

AVELLINO (fourth) might have needed the run on her reappearance at Fairyhouse last month and could reverse form with Brawler (first), who is now 8lb higher and far from sure to replicate that level of performance. Thosedaysaregone is on a fair mark but not the most reliable, while Blast Of Koeman is a capable type but needs to be delivered right on the line and has plenty of weight to carry.
Prediction : 1st Avellino 2nd Brawler 3rd Blast Of Koeman

HUGHIES BAY gets what can only be described as a tentative vote as, although he's still a maiden after 32 starts over timber, the son of Jeremy has performed well in defeat off higher marks than this in the past and is entitled to have come forward for his Limerick reappearance on Sunday. Major Fawcett is less exposed over hurdles and could go well in a race of this nature, while Knockanora Lady is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Hughies Bay 2nd Major Fawcett 3rd Knockanora Lady

IMMORTALITY won a point-to-point fairly comfortably last month and has since joined a powerful, in-form yard. Gordon Elliott's charge could be anything making her Rules debut and top amateur jockey Jamie Codd does the steering, which is a huge positive. Willie Mullins introduces Purple Mountain, a well-bred daughter of Beat Hollow, and the market should tell us more about her chances. Nell's Well, like the selection, is a point winner and joins More Info on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Immortality 2nd Purple Mountain 3rd Nells Well