UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

I AM FORTUNATA was a smart performer in bumpers last year and hopefully the market will speak in his favour following a 10-month absence. The Getaway gelding impressed when scoring on debut at Thurles and wasn't beaten far on his only subsequent start behind Hunters Yarn on the Irish Grand National card at Fairyhouse. Fameaftertheglory is a point-to-point and bumper winner and also boasts some useful placed form both over hurdles and fences, including when going close at Down Royal last month. Soldier Solid has shown plenty of promise on both hurdle starts, while Marronstown and Sixhandsinmypocket are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st I Am Fortunata 2nd Fameaftertheglory 3rd Soldier Solid

FAULTY has been a frustrating sort to follow but should be well suited by this extra half-mile. The Noel Meade-trained gelding has useful placed form in bumpers and was putting in his best work at the finish when third to Firm Footings on his hurdling debut at Navan earlier this month. Suttons Hill is an interesting recruit to hurdles and looks the chief threat. The point-to-point winner has filled the runner-up spot on both bumper starts against short-priced favourites from the Willie Mullins yard, including behind leading Cheltenham Festival fancy It's For Me at Navan. Easy Fella and Bob Cigar appear the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Faulty 2nd Suttons Hill 3rd Easy Fella

QUEENS BROOK gets the vote in receipt of 9lb from Brandy Love. The selection beat all bar Marie's Rock at last year's Cheltenham Festival and showed her liking for this track when taking a Listed race in good style back in November. She didn't really progress the following month at Leopardstown, but on overall form, gets the nod. Brandy Love threw away a winning opportunity when jumping badly left at Fairyhouse last season, but returned to that venue for an impressive Grade 1 win at Easter when beating Love Envoi by eight lengths. She's obviously not the easiest to train and it will be interesting to note how strong she is in the market following a 10-month absence. Anna Bunina and Rebel Ivy both shaped well in competitive handicaps last time.
Prediction : 1st Queens Brook 2nd Brandy Love 3rd Anna Bunina

NINE GRACES showed promise in bumpers, including when third to Knockanard Lady at this venue, and was again placed on her hurdling debut behind Indiana Dream at Fairyhouse last month. She has every chance on pedigree of getting this extra quarter-mile. Law Ella was a smart sort in bumpers last spring, winning at Down Royal and finishing second to Ashroe Diamond in a Grade 2 at Aintree. She hasn't reached the same heights in three hurdle starts and blundered at the final two flights when second to Harmonya Maker at Fairyhouse. Crumb Of Comfort is another for the shortlist following a promising debut third to Hauturiere at Fairyhouse, and that form received a timely boost here on Sunday.
Prediction : 1st Nine Graces 2nd Law Ella 3rd Crumb Of Comfort

APPIAN WAY is certainly bred in the purple being by Sea The Stars out of a Sadler's Wells mare, and he won twice for Charles O'Brien last autumn at Clonmel and Downpatrick. The seven-year-old has since joined Gordon Elliott and showed he stayed this trip when runner-up at the Listowel Festival last year. Captain Jimmy is also on a hat-trick after winning in good style over C&D last month and the first reserve is an obvious threat if getting a run. Stablemate Friends N Commerce finished well when runner-up to Verdant Place over 2m4f here last month and the winner gave the form a timely boost on Sunday. Lord Gillygooley ran a cracker after a lengthy break on his first start for current connections, while Rebellious Gale and American Money are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Appian Way 2nd Friends N Commerce 3rd Lord Gillygooley

HARD TARGET was placed a couple of times on decent ground last year before showing improved form last time to score in good style on a testing surface at Clonmel. He may defy an 8lb rise over a similar trip. Rochestown was off the track for nearly a year before reverting to hurdles on his reappearance here last month when staying on nicely over three miles. Maggie Walsh benefited from a well-timed patient ride when landing a Fairyhouse maiden on her penultimate start, while Chelseas Friend stays well and ran a cracker when switched back to hurdles at Thurles earlier this month. Any market move for Costanuci would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Hard Target 2nd Rochestown 3rd Costanuci

THE CONNECTOR caught the eye when staying on over two miles here in November and was sent off favourite the following month when third to Little Mixup at Limerick. The form of that race has been working out well since and this less taxing surface should suit as he steps up in trip. Bint Freya shaped well on her first handicap start when third to American Money over C&D last month and remains on a competitive mark. She's Commanche has a chance on the pick of her form, while We'llgowats and Herculaneum are others to consider. Perfect Arch didn't enjoy the clearest of runs at Fairyhouse last time.
Prediction : 1st The Connector 2nd Bint Freya 3rd Wellgowats

SPECULATRIX represents powerful connections in a race where market moves will provide vital clues. The daughter of No Risk At All out of a bumper winner and from the family of Samcro was purchased for 115,000 euros at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last year. Dollar Nolimit cost 100,000 euros at Arqana as a two-year-old and is a half-brother to five winners, including a Grade 2 scorer in France. Master Otis is by Mastercraftsman out of an unraced Galileo mare, while John Gleeson is an interesting booking on The Correction. Arc Eyes is another to keep a close eye on in the betting.
Prediction : 1st Speculatrix 2nd Dollar Nolimit 3rd Master Otis