UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

INVICTUS MACHIN sprouted wings to win on debut and could prove better than today's notional 123 rating. Unfancied at Down Royal, he arrived from off the pace to win easily and while the form isn't outstanding, can progress further with his dam being a half-sister to a Grade 1 winner. Itswhatunitesus beat a capable rival to win at Cork, with long distances back to the remainder, and while he has proven ability, gives 7lb to the selection. Polo Lounge easily won an ordinary maiden in October but was pulled up at Grade 1 level 15 days ago and might struggle to win. Maggie Walsh has a lot on her plate. Carnfunnock would be a notable runner from a favourable weight, having beaten Itswhatunitesus in a bumper. He defeated a subsequent winner at Down Royal in November, won in a canter at Ayr, but at the time of writing, is declared to run at Navan's inspected Sunday meeting.
Prediction : 1st Invictus Machin 2nd Itswhatunitesus 3rd Polo Lounge

TIME MARCHES ON ran well from 6lb out of the handicap recently and competes at a lower grade. A nine-race maiden, his last two handicap runs at this distance have been encouraging and while beaten 7.5 lengths last month, competed from 118 then and today's rider claims 5lb. Bodhisattva has plenty weight but is a fraction unexposed over staying distances. A two-mile maiden hurdle winner, he finished third in first-time cheekpieces at Navan and while raised 3lb, is now ridden by a 7lb claimer. Ballyglass Beauty, Tyre Kicker and Cher Why Not are closely enough matched on a run over a similar distance here in November while Journey West fell in that race and has previous form at this distance. Rebellious Gale finished behind Bodhisattva at Navan and has place claims. Routine Excellence, with strong form claims, and Wingin A Prayer are both declared for Navan's inspected Sunday meeting.
Prediction : 1st Time Marches On 2nd Bodhisattva 3rd Ballyglass Beauty

HARMONYA MAKER's rivals were spread out like the washing at Fairyhouse in November and she runs over a similar distance. Placed at Listed level on bumper debut, she was impressive on jumps debut at Fairyhouse, beating useful mares easily. Bella Scintilla showed smart French form before winning at Killarney and having bumped into Pier Piper at Cheltenham in October, reverts to mares' company and is dependable. La Malmason is well bred and did well to win on Cork debut. She is open to plenty progression but nonetheless meets more experienced rivals. Saylavee needs to improve on her Down Royal run to win. Deeply Superficial, in common with the selection, defeated Law Ella to win her maiden hurdle, albeit less impressively, but is declared for Navan's inspected Sunday meeting.
Prediction : 1st Harmonya Maker 2nd Bella Scintilla 3rd La Malmason

Gold Cup favourite GALOPIN DES CHAMPS was a top class novice over middle-distances last season. A final-fence faller at Cheltenham, he bounced back to win impressively at Fairyhouse and while he steps up into open company, can defeat principal rival Fakir D'oudairies and win. Fakir D'oudairies is a four-time Grade 1 winner who is ideally suited to this distance. He finished fourth in last year's renewal, having had a winning prep run, and might struggle to beat the selection on his reappearance. Fury Road was a Grade 1 winning novice last season and is race-fit, having won at Down Royal. He disappointed when beaten 55 lengths by the selection last February and might ideally prefer further. Lifetime Ambition is also race-fit and closely enough matched with Fury Road while Vanillier was well held beaten by Fury Road twice. Fastorslow won an Auteuil chase in 2019 while Haut En Couleurs has plenty to find.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Fakir DOudairies 3rd Fury Road

APPRECIATE IT was a top class novice hurdler who makes his belated chase debut. He missed his intended chase start 12 months ago due to a minor injury, with connections opting to put his chase career on hold until now. He was well held in March's Champion Hurdle but in the context of today's race, it was a fine effort and he has previous point-to-point experience. Top Bandit also makes his chase debut and while useful, was rated 25lb lower than the selection over hurdles. Get My Drift, under Mark Walsh, has chase experience but should struggle to win while Hawai Game has plenty to find on hurdles form. Mount Brown was well beaten on chase debut.
Prediction : 1st Appreciate It 2nd Top Bandit 3rd Get My Drift

TEMPTATIONINMILAN stays well and is in form. His recent chase runs have been consistent and while well held by the winner at Fariyhouse, today's rider claims 5lb. Beating The Odds bumped into a nicely handicapped winner at Thurles and while both his wins have been over hurdles, he is rated 4lb lower in this sphere and stays well. Veteran Glenloe had form in similar races last term and while pulled up in the Cork National (with a slipped saddle) and in the Troytown last month, drops to a much lower grade. Sir Bob is rated 16lb lower over fences than hurdles but has yet to win from 16 chase runs and didn't seem too enthusiastic at Naas recently. Broken Ice's form is on a sound surface and ran well enough at Naas last month. Ciao Bella makes her handicap chase debut but stays well and is rated 8lb lower over fences than hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Temptationinmilan 2nd Beating The Odds 3rd Glenloe

BLIZZARD OF OZ was purchased following a fine Limerick debut for Lar Byrne and owner Harley Dunne, by the same connections of the winner. Third-placed Mercurey was beaten over hurdles recently but BLIZZARD OF OZ is interesting for a trainer with an excellent record in this race. Mel Monroe won a point-to-point for handler Harley Dunne and while subsequently second in a Galway bumper, the winner was well held at Listed level afterwards. Slade Steel won a point-to-point for Pierce Power in May (the third-placed horse won a point subsequently) and has joined leading connections while Makingachamp is a half-brother to two capable winners and hails from a yard which excels in bumpers. Any Road ran well behind a smart winner on debut while Captain Cody, by the same sire as the selection, showed promise in points.
Prediction : 1st Blizzard Of Oz 2nd Mel Monroe 3rd Slade Steel