UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

An early treat for racegoers, with high-class hurdlers Kilcruit and JOURNEY WITH ME facing off. The pair did clash over flights at Leopardstown last season, with the Henry de Bromhead-trained latter coming out on top. A point-to-point winner on debut at Ballindenisk in November of 2020, the selection was set to finish third in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March before falling at the last. Since disappointing at the Festival here in April, he returns to action now and it'll be interesting to see what he is capable of over the larger obstacles. Kilcruit also failed to fire here in April, finishing third in the Supreme Novices' on his penultimate start. Sure to be well schooled over the larger obstacles, he is an exciting prospect for the season ahead. A three-time winner over flights, Aldo The Apache warrants respect but is likely to find the aforementioned pair too strong.
Prediction : 1st Journey With Me 2nd Kilcruit 3rd Aldo The Apache

A slightly disappointing turnout for this Grade 2 contest, with no stand-out name in the line-up. Midnight Run boasts the strongest form, but he is without a win in seven starts over fences and for that reason alone is difficult to fancy with any great confidence. Gordon Elliott is represented by Mars Harper and Grand Paradis, with the latter described as being 'not the easiest to predict' in a recent stable tour. Mars Harper on the other hand rarely runs a bad race and was a fine second on his debut over the larger obstacles at Down Royal. The Sulamani gelding is given second preference, with HALLOWED STAR the selection. Disappointingly beaten into second on his chasing debut, after some errors, he easily accounted for seven rivals on his next start when jumping better. Barnacullia put it all together when a surprise winner at Galway last month and he warrants respect. A three-time hurdles victor, this is a big ask for Gaelic Arc on what will be his racecourse debut over fences.
Prediction : 1st Hallowed Star 2nd Mars Harper 3rd Midnight Run

A race that is likely to produce plenty of future winners. Absolute Notions sets the standard on account of his impressive Goffs Land Rover bumper success, with the son of Milan since purchased by powerful owners Robcour. He starts off over flights now and is sure to prove a popular choice with punters. Joseph O'Brien saddles hurdling debutants Benaud and JOSHUA DES FLOS and both are of interest, with preference for the latter. Second on debut in a bumper at Leopardstown, when owned and trained by Stuart Crawford, he finished a place ahead of The Four Sixes who gave the form a significant boost by winning at Clonmel on Thursday. Now in the colours of Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, a bold bid looks likely from the half-brother to Balko Des Flos. Benaud was a smart performer on the level and it'll be interesting to see how he fares, while Deep Cave is another leading contender. Successful on debut in a point-to-point for Ciaran Murphy, he was since purchased for 235,000 pounds at the Goffs Aintree Sale. Well-bred newcomers Manhattan Lady and Lovely Reaction are worth keeping an eye on with a view to the future.
Prediction : 1st Joshua Des Flos 2nd Absolute Notions 3rd Deep Cave

Gordon Elliott gave QUEENS BROOK a strong mention in a Racing Post stable tour last month, with the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham again her ultimate aim. She subsequently went off at odds-on on her return to action at Limerick but could surprisingly manage only third. Perhaps in need of that run, she is given the chance to redeem herself. Heaven Help Us finished four-and-a-half lengths in front of the selection at Greenmount Park and will be fancied by many to uphold the form. It is disappointing though, that she hasn't managed to win a race since her brilliant all the way success in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in 2021. The other seven runners will find it difficult to cope with the aforementioned pair. Copper Nation failed to make an impact in a Listed contest at Killarney in May but might be able to pick up some valuable black type here.
Prediction : 1st Queens Brook 2nd Heaven Help Us 3rd Copper Nation

THE MODEL KINGDOM didn't pick up quite as well as expected in Grade 3 company at Down Royal recently but had looked smart on her hurdling debut at Tipperary previously. A Grade 3 bumper winner at this track back in April, she is capable of much better and should prove too strong for the geldings. Backintheroom made a winning racecourse debut at Gowran Park in March but has been absent since then. While he is unlikely to lack fitness on this reappearance, he may just struggle in terms of experience. Walnut Beach is far more exposed than these opponents having had nine previous starts over flights but that is something that will almost certainly stand to him. A winner at Cork last time, he comes into this race as a fit, in-form horse, who can make his presence felt.
Prediction : 1st The Model Kingdom 2nd Backintheroom 3rd Walnut Beach

Gordon Elliott has done a remarkable job with JUNGLE PROSE in recent weeks and his British import may be capable of completing a quick hat-trick. The seven-year-old mare quickened clear of her opponents to win a similar race at Down Royal last month off a 12lb lower mark. Despite being raised for that stylish success, the daughter of Yeats could have more to offer. Tyre Kicker won over this course and distance in May but was a well beaten fourth behind Jungle Prose last time. However, the Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding is entitled to come on from that reappearance and is better off at these revised weights. Land Jet is an interesting contender on his first start for Peter Maher. Having been handicapped over the minimum distance, he was successful on his sole attempt at this trip.
Prediction : 1st Jungle Prose 2nd Tyre Kicker 3rd Land Jet

CALDWELL POTTER was sent off favourite for the Goffs Land Rover Bumper on his racecourse debut here back in April. Although running moderately on that occasion, the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old was later found to have been suffering from a nasal discharge. The fact he was so strongly fancied for such a keenly contested prize suggests that he must have been showing plenty at home. Answering sets the standard among those that have raced, with his third placed effort at Thurles the best from on offer. Cardamon Hill shaped well in three point-to-points without managing to get his head in front. He has been set a realistic target for his first race under rules, so it would be no surprise to see the five-year-old figure prominently.
Prediction : 1st Caldwell Potter 2nd Answering 3rd Cardamon Hill