UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

BY YOUR SIDE is an each-way option in this deep field. Gordon Elliott's charge was rewarded for a string of consistent efforts when getting off the mark over hurdles at Naas last month. He was then a fair third in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle last week off a mark of 120. He races off 114 here and Danny Gilligan takes 7lb off his back. Broomfield Bijou was an unlucky second in Navan last month, but rectified that with a wide-margin success at Ballinrobe. Aslukwoodhavit cruised home in a Tramore maiden hurdle and is one to note on handicap debut. Feu Du Bresil is getting the hang of things and can have a say after winning at Clonmel. Clever Currency made all in Leopardstown and could be dangerous if given too much rope. Golf Marin made the breakthrough in Fairyhouse and could build upon that. Figaroc and Ifiwerearichman are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st By Your Side 2nd Broomfield Bijou 3rd Aslukwoodhavit

DINOBLUE ought to make her presence felt. Willie Mullins' six-year-old mare was chasing the leader when left clear at the final fence to win a Grade B handicap chase at Fairyhouse on her last start. She certainly wasn't winning out of turn after three consecutive runner-up berths including behind subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Impervious at Cork. Douglas Talking can go well off the front for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox. He was only collared in the latter stages of a premier handicap at Aintree a fortnight ago. Coeur Sublime has the rating to be a player, but his form can be a bit in and out. On a going day, he would be more than dangerous. Hollow Games never travelled at Cheltenham and was pulled up in the Arkle. He's better than that and an improved performance is probable.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Douglas Talking 3rd Coeur Sublime

SPACE CADET looks a solid each-way play. The admirable 13-year-old gelding is a former winner of the Ulster National at Downpatrick in 2020 and ran a cracker in this year's renewal when third over the extended 3m4f trip at the start of the month. On his penultimate outing, he was beaten by a head over the banks course at Knockanard. The horse that beat him, Vital Island, is a more than decent yardstick in this discipline. He is due to line up, but ran on Tuesday over the banks at the festival and had a tough race in finishing second. A two-day turnaround would be tricky over this trip, although he did attempt it last season and unseated in this race after winning on the Tuesday. Stealthy Tom is clearly the horse to beat. He travelled smoothly before winning a 3m1f banks race at this track in Punchestown. This is a fair step up in trip but, if he travels, he should be difficult to beat.
Prediction : 1st Space Cadet 2nd Stealthy Tom 3rd Vital Island

There is plenty of rain forecast for Punchestown and that will play to TEAHUPOO's strengths. He didn't have the clearest passage in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but finished well to be placed. Prior to that, he had been in winning form at Fairyhouse and Gowran Park. He loves it when the rain gets into the ground. Sire Du Berlais is gunning for a Grade 1 hat-trick after winning at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. He stayed on strongly to beat Teahupoo in Cheltenham and is in the form of his life. It would be a serious achievement if the 11-year-old landed this after his Cheltenham and Aintree exploits. Willie Mullins' Klassical Dream has won the last two renewals of this race and could bounce back from a below-par run at Cheltenham. His stablemate, Monkfish, made an impressive return to action after almost two years off when a close second in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse.
Prediction : 1st Teahupoo 2nd Sire Du Berlais 3rd Klassical Dream

WALKING ON AIR ran well in the Pertemps Final, stays well and likes a sound surface. He has run consistently well in handicaps this season and met some trouble in-running at Cheltenham, when running on late. He competes from a 2lb lower Irish rating and is dependable. Verdant Place and Seabank Bistro are closely matched on a recent Fairyhouse race and with both being proven stayers, have obvious claims. Parmenion is deserted by Paul Townend but finished third at Grade 2 level recently and notably steps up to this distance for the first time. Sweet Will is a proven stayer who should get involved racing from 1lb lower than when winning from his UK rating last month while Lets Go Champ was a slightly fortunate maiden hurdle winner recently but should be suited by stepping up in trip. Grozni ran well in a similar race at the DRF while Toss Again and returning Dartan are suited to drying ground. Sir Argus steps up in grade while Kilbeg King has improved over staying distances recently.
Prediction : 1st Walking On Air 2nd Verdant Place 3rd Seabank Bistro

EL FABIOLO was a fine winner of the Arkle and has plenty in his favour and holds Dysart Dynamo and Saint Roi on Cheltenham form. Dysart Dynamo was held in third when falling at the final fence, leaving Saint Roi to pick up that position and both shouldn't trouble the selection. That Cheltenham form was boosted by the runner-up Jonbon winning at Aintree, when beating Saint Roi and being a Christmas Grade 1 winner, might fill second place again today, with Dysart Dynamo arriving from his Cheltenham fall. Experienced third-season novice Indiana Jones is capable but needs to improve to win.
Prediction : 1st El Fabiolo 2nd Dysart Dynamo 3rd Saint Roi

INDIE BELLE has progressed well in recent times and might continue her upward curve. She won just once in 18 hurdles but was unlucky in a useful Navan handicap in February and has won her last two chase starts. She won readily at Downpatrick recently and while this is tougher, can cope with a 9lb hike. Queen Jane has also won her last two chases and while she too faces a stiffer task, on better ground, than when winning from 9lb lower at Limerick, is also progressive. Pont Aval is a 10-year-old maiden chaser but chased home subsequent Ulster National runner-up My Design in March, but was well enough held on her last start and now runs in a first-time tongue-tie. Kalli's Quest is 4lb higher than when winning at Navan and while she likes a sound surface, would ideally prefer 3m.
Prediction : 1st Indie Belle 2nd Queen Jane 3rd Pont Aval

BALLYBURN won a course and distance bumper on yielding ground last February and is likely to improve. A point-to-point winner for Colin McKeever before moving yard, his course form has yet to be properly tested but the third-horse had finished second to Cheltenham Bumper runner-up Fact To File. He missed a Fairyhouse engagement on April 10 due to a temperature but arrives fresh and is Patrick Mullins' pick. Slade Steel, a points winner on yielding ground for Pierce Power, was also a smart CD bumper winner last December. The runner-up subsequently finished sixth in the Cheltenham Bumper and the third won subsequently, with today's rider again claiming 7lb. Owner-ridden Great Universe is quirky and while beaten 20 lengths by the selection in February, he surrendered plenty ground at the start. He was subsequently an impressive 2m2f Clonmel bumper winner but there might prefer testing ground and further. Loughglynn holds Better Days Ahead and Chosen Witness on Cheltenham form while Dancing City steps up from a Wexford win. Newcomer Apple's Of Bresil is notable being a half-brother to four French winners and out of a French mile winner.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Slade Steel 3rd Great Universe