UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

GET MY DRIFT only managed a maiden victory over hurdles but had some very respectable form and holds a rating in the low 130s in that sphere. He had Aaarons Day and Carrig Sam behind when an encouraging third on his chasing debut at Navan and, although his best form has been over two miles, this trip should be within his compass over fences. A Listed winner over hurdles at Navan in the spring, Brampton Belle was thrown in at the deep end on her chasing bow at Cork when a remote third to two useful types. She should have learned plenty from that experience and will strip fitter here. Grandero Bello won over hurdles here last term and was a very creditable third in a warm beginners' chase at Galway. He wasn't beaten at all far on that seasonal debut and has to enter calculations with the run under his belt.
Prediction : 1st Get My Drift 2nd Brampton Belle 3rd Grandero Bello

SANIBEL ISLAND had gone over five years without a win before scoring at Killarney last month and followed up five days later when clinging on at Downpatrick. He's up another 6lb in the ratings now but this isn't a strong race for the venue and, freshened up after a break, the 10-year-old might be able to complete a hat-trick. Exciting Oscar won over hurdles at this venue a couple of years ago and was second in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse last winter. He's 4lb lower now and should show the benefit of a recent spin over hurdles at this venue. Merry Moves went close in a similar contest at Fairyhouse earlier this month and has to be on the shortlist after that career-best effort. Her young rider looked good value for his 7lb claim when riding his first winner at Limerick last week.
Prediction : 1st Sanibel Island 2nd Exciting Oscar 3rd Merry Moves

SPILLANE'S TOWER shaped like a certain future winner when just denied in a Wexford maiden last month. Jimmy Mangan's four-year-old failed by just a head to overhaul a useful sort who has twice been narrowly denied in decent contests since. A couple of those who were in behind the selection have also advertised the form and he should come on from that seasonal debut as well. Three-time bumper winner Hunters Yarn is an obvious danger. He was only fourth at odds-on when making his hurdling debut over a longer trip on this card a year ago but showed useful form in what was quite a hot race. Switched back to bumpers in the spring, he twice won readily and it's interesting that he now tries two miles for this second start over flights. Dual bumper winner The Big Doyen made a good start over hurdles when only beaten a length at Fairyhouse and, even though the winner bombed out next time, is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Spillanes Tower 2nd Hunters Yarn 3rd The Big Doyen

TIMMY TUESDAY ran out before the final fence when leading in a point-to-point in March and joined Gordon Elliott the following month. There was plenty to like about his third on hurdling debut at Cork with the winner having followed up since and the second a smart Flat performer. That jumping experience and race fitness will stand to the Mahler gelding. Intranet won his sole start in France over 1m3f on soft ground just over a year ago and has to be greatly respected coming from the champion trainer's yard. The market will indicate what regard he's held in. Belle The Lioness, from the family of high-class chaser Monalee, was a five-length winner of a mares' point-to-point bumper at Cork in April and is sure to be well schooled for this hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Timmy Tuesday 2nd Intranet 3rd Belle The Lioness

FALCON EIGHT isn't suited by the race distance but has strong form. Winner of the 2021 Chester Cup, over 2m2f, he is rated 109 on the Flat and while his best form is over staying distances, managed a win over 1m4f at the Curragh last month, suggesting he may have enough pace to cope. He also holds Tax For Max on Cesarewitch form, albeit over a staying Flat distance. Tax For Max is suited by the trip and while in-form, has won just once over hurdles and running in a first-time tongue-tie is a small negative. Hiaou will benefit from last month's Sligo reappearance but is comfortably held by Tax For Max on that form and is 6lb worse off. Fascinating Shadow was well held at Cheltenham while Weseekhimhere is long absent. It'sallabouteve is Brendan Walsh's first runner but is best watched on reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Falcon Eight 2nd Tax For Max 3rd Hiaou

HARVEY'S QUAY is proven at this grade and might improve from his reappearance run. He won well at Clonmel last December, returned to form on his recent Cork reappearance and competes from 1lb higher, running in a first-time hood. Pats Choice was post-race normal following his Down Royal disappointment but was previously consistent and today's likely yielding surface will suit. Pythion would also prefer good ground but ran well on testing ground in a higher standard Clonmel handicap recently and competes from the same rating. Halsafari hasn't won for almost three years but has been running well and was second over this distance earlier this month. Ricky Langford was pulled up over fences recently while Look Dont Touch was in contention when unseating rider at Punchestown but his form is on summer ground. Coolnacritta is long absent and probably best watched.
Prediction : 1st Harveys Quay 2nd Pats Choice 3rd Pythion

DEMANDRIVINGDOUVAN reverts to jumping and also steps up in distance. Well touted for his point-to-point win, he ran well in a hot Punchestown bumper in May and while his Thurles win, in an ordinary bumper, was underwhelming, it was gained over an inadequate distance and he has the size to do better over jumps. Sandor Clegane was similarly capable in bumpers and ran well on jumps debut at Galway, with the winner subsequently being placed at Grade 3 level. He should also improve stepping up in distance and should give the selection a real race. The selection's stablemate Sam's Choice is experienced and consistent but is frustrating to follow and blinkers are notably reapplied. Green Glory is held by Sandor Clegane on Galway form while Champ De Gane was well held on his previous run at Roscommon in August.
Prediction : 1st Demandrivingdouvan 2nd Sandor Clegane 3rd Sams Choice

A chance is taken with first reserve CHAMPAGNE AUCTION, who can continue to progress. His initial form was poor but won on debut for a new yard at Cork, beating two subsequent winners. He is 7lb higher and now wears a tongue-tie but remains unexposed. Penny Jar progressed well during the summer and while also open to more improvement, hasn't run since September and encounters easier ground, rated 8lb higher. Cher Why Not returned from a break to win at Clonmel and while he ran well here 10 days ago, now drops in distance. Irisdescent will benefit from a reappearance run over an inadequate distance at Wexford while Anyonecanhaveitall is a five-time Flat winner who has recent form but would prefer good ground. Four-time winner Breezy Bell has been well held on latest runs while Siberian Star was well held at Navan. Handicap debutante Verdant Place could be capable and notably steps up in distance. Clear The Clouds wasn't beaten far at Clonmel and also steps up in distance.
Prediction : 1st Champagne Auction 2nd Penny Jar 3rd Cher Why Not