UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

BASIL MARTINI has two notable pieces of form in the book. She was runner-up in Fairyhouse and the Curragh (over this trip) behind winners who have both since been placed in Group 3 company. She wasn't at her best on her last start in Naas, but is capable of bouncing back. Cut in the ground is an unknown, but it isn't a negative for her sire Starspangledbanner's progeny. Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Lambada is an obvious danger. She is by Dubawi out of a Group 2 winning-mare and is related to several multiple winners including Just Wonderful, who scored at Group 2 level. Lan Cinnte is one to keep an eye on in the market. The form of the race she finished eighth in on debut at the Curragh in May is incredible as no less than six horses in front of her have since scored, including at Listed and Group 3 level. Galileo filly Promises To Keep, a stablemate of Lambada, is another to bear in mind on debut.
Prediction : 1st Basil Martini 2nd Lambada 3rd Lan Cinnte

Aidan O'Brien's GULF OF MEXICO ran a lovely race on debut at the Curragh and can go one better. He stayed on well over 1m but failed by a neck to reel in the odds-on favourite (his stablemate). He has a couple of Group 2 entries for the Curragh and Newmarket this month, in addition to a Group 1 entry for the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October. His stable companion, Camelot colt Duke Cador, has the same Group 2 engagements and has to be respected on debut. Young Ireland has run in three races won by very useful horses. His third in Naas, beaten just over two lengths, reads very well and, crucially, this Group 2 entrant is proven on rain-softened ground. Michael O'Callaghan is more than capable of unleashing a juvenile to win first time out and it is noteworthy that Rothko has the Doncaster Group 1 entry next month.
Prediction : 1st Gulf Of Mexico 2nd Duke Cador 3rd Young Ireland

ZEPHRON didn't go unbacked when bouncing back to form in Galway and could build upon that runner-up spot. He had a tough draw out wide over 7f and was held up before staying on well to get to within half a length of the winner. That race has thrown up plenty of subsequent winners. He has another wide draw, so similar tactics will likely be deployed. He has won over an extended 7f before and is ground versatile. This is a drop in class for Band Width. Both of his victories came over an extended 5f in Sligo, but he has been placed over 7f. A change to front-running tactics saw an improved run from Higher Kingdom in second at Galway last week behind a very well-handicapped winner. Coins Cross ran third in that race and could get involved in first-time cheekpieces. Seamie Heffernan gets on well with Karlsberg as the pair have combined for two victories, including at Tipperary in late June. A 2lb rise is far from excessive and she could race prominently from stall one.
Prediction : 1st Zephron 2nd Band Width 3rd Higher Kingdom

GOODIE TWO SHOES was an impressive winner of a fillies' maiden over further at Killarney in July and should be able to move through the grades. She skipped a Listed engagement at Galway last week, but that shows the regard she is held in. Monaasib made up plenty of ground for fifth in the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh in August, which entitles him to respect. There is likely to be more to come from Once Upon A River on his second start for Paddy Twomey. He won a maiden in Roscommon when with Ger Lyons last year. This trip looks on the short side for The Shunter, but he has a stack of ability across all disciplines of racing.
Prediction : 1st Goodie Two Shoes 2nd Monaasib 3rd Once Upon A River

Dundalk barrier trial winner SATURN FIVE showed up nicely on his racecourse debut at Roscommon. He was slowly into stride, but put in good late work for third when beaten just over a length and a half. Improvement should be forthcoming. Nostringsattached was a promising fifth of 14 on debut at the Curragh. The horse a place behind him came out and won a fillies' maiden in Gowran Park, so Nostringsattached is entitled to be in the mix. The 76-rated Zoffman has plenty of experience and has been placed five times. He is vulnerable to an improver, but should run his race and another cheque is likely. Prophets Voice is rated 1lb inferior to Zoffman and has been placed four times. He has his chance.
Prediction : 1st Saturn Five 2nd Nostringsattached 3rd Zoffman

GEORGETA and Ezine are closely matched on running behind Tuesday this spring and there was also cut in the ground when the Ger Lyons-trained filly opened her account in good style at Gowran Park. She reappears after a summer break and the recent rain will boost her chance. Ezine needs to bounce back after a disappointing effort at Galway but her yard is in much better form now, while Maristella and Corky both won last time out on soft ground. Dark Vega is weighted to go close with Corky and is now fitted with cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Georgeta 2nd Dark Vega 3rd Corky

KARTAYAZ won twice over an extended 1m2f at Dundalk last winter and was again ridden prominently when beating all bar Spirituoso on soft ground at Navan last time. The selection has dropped down to a very attractive mark. Everylittlestep was placed three times over a mile at Gowran earlier this season and now reappears after a three-month break. Salt Whistle Bay won four times for Rae Guest, all with cut in the ground, earlier in his career and took advantage of a lowly mark for current connections at Limerick this summer. He makes appeal after the recent rain but is unproven over this trip. Star Official is another suited by soft ground.
Prediction : 1st Kartayaz 2nd Everylittlestep 3rd Salt Whistle Bay

LUCKY QUEEN showed some promise in maidens, including on debut at the Curragh in soft ground, and there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from her latest start at Tipperary when stepping up to this trip for the first time. She had Wayne R Walker a length and a half back in fifth on that occasion when runner-up to Yokkell. Men Of Dreams has shown his best form on soft ground, including when third to Geological at Killarney, and it's interesting that the visor worn on that occasion is reapplied. Soilse has obviously had training problems but has indicated ability in three maiden starts and any market move would be significant on her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Queen 2nd Men Of Dreams 3rd Wayne R Walker