UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

I'MSTILLYOURBABY finished fifth on his handicap bow over timber at Limerick, shaping as though he would appreciate a step up from that 2m3f trip. This appeals as a decent opportunity for the seven-year-old to open his account as he makes his debut over the larger obstacles. Chosen Hour unseated his rider at Tramore on New Year's Day but could enter the reckoning based on his hurdles form, while Cherokee Bill appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Imstillyourbaby 2nd Chosen Hour 3rd Cherokee Bill

Cheltenham Festival winner City Island made an inauspicious beginning to life over fences at Leopardstown over the Christmas period and he will need to improve significantly upon that display if he is to take high rank over fences. With that in mind, preference is for CAREFULLY SELECTED as he got off the mark on his chasing/seasonal bow at Fairyhouse in late November and is entitled to come forward from that outing. Dallas Des Pictons and Speak Easy cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Carefully Selected 2nd Dallas Des Pictons 3rd Speak Easy

MY MANEKINEKO was not beaten far when finishing fifth in a stronger race than this at Naas a week ago and the veteran should take plenty of beating off the same mark. Well Joey won three times over fences last year and he merits respect having had a spin over hurdles recently, while Ard Na Carraig is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st My Manekineko 2nd Well Joey 3rd Ard Na Carraig

French import CHEB DE KERVINIOU shaped encouragingly on his first start for Gordon Elliott, finishing half a length second to Biddy The Boss at Fairyhouse, and remains open to improvement off 3lb higher. The last-named is expected to be thereabouts at the line again, while Cappacurry Zak struck at Limerick on his return from a spell pointing and could also be in the shake-up.
Prediction : 1st Cheb De Kerviniou 2nd Biddy The Boss 3rd Cappacurry Zak

Gordon Elliott appeared to have an embarrassment of riches when entries were first made for this, but he is content to rely solely on ANDY DUFRESNE. So impressive between the flags, in a bumper and on his hurdling debut, the six-year-old relinquished his unbeaten record in a Navan Grade 2, but can bounce back now dropped from 2m4f. The upwardly-mobile Anything Will Do is the pick of the Joseph O'Brien duo after completing a hat-trick at Punchestown. Captain Guinness was really impressive at Navan, but this is a big step up.
Prediction : 1st Andy Dufresne 2nd Anything Will Do 3rd Captain Guinness

Fag An Bealach shaped with encouragement when second of 24 in a maiden hurdle at Cork last month and will be fancied to do even better now upped in distance, while Lill Smith proved disappointing at Thurles when last seen but previously appeared to be going in the right direction. MINX TIARA stays this trip well and, having finished third at Limerick in a competitive race on St Stephen's Day, is fancied to take some beating. Soft ground suits her nicely and Oakley Brown's 7lb claim will help matters.
Prediction : 1st Minx Tiara 2nd Fag An Bealach 3rd Lill Smith

BLACKBOW probably would have opened his account but for falling at Navan four weeks ago and is fancied to make amends under Paul Townend. The seven-year-old was amongst the best of the bumper crop in 2018, and clearly has the engine to make an impact in this division if ironing out his jumping issues. Port Stanley finished second behind Envoi Allen in a Fairyhouse bumper 13 months ago but hasn't been as good since, while Santa Rossa was third at Aintree in a Grade 2 last April and could also make her presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Blackbow 2nd Port Stanley 3rd Santa Rossa