UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

The form of FR GILLIGANSVOYGE's dead-heat for first place in Borris House in March received a massive boost when the horse that joined him on the line won over the banks at the festival on Tuesday. Pat Taaffe did the steering that day and takes a handy 7lb off his back. Speaker Thomas was well behind Fr Gilligansvoyge in sixth, but arrives in winning form after landing a point-to-point in Stradbally this month. He gets first-time cheekpieces. Artic Weather was beaten a length and a half into second by Speaker Thomas that day, but has a 7lb pull in the weights with James Hannon's claim, and a tongue-strap and blinkers are applied. This seven-year-old gelding is very much unexposed. Gordon Elliott's Happy Victory won his last two point-to-points before a couple of underwhelming track efforts.
Prediction : 1st Fr Gilligansvoyge 2nd Artic Weather 3rd Happy Victory

LIFE IN THE PARK has an each-way chance at the prices. Henry de Bromhead's six-year-old gelding made a highly encouraging seasonal reappearance at Limerick when nearest at the finish in a close third in a Grade 3 novice chase. There ought to be plenty more to come from him in this sphere. He won the Adare Manor Opportunity Final Handicap Hurdle at last season's Punchestown Festival. Kilcruit is three from four across all codes (a Grade 1 bumper, a maiden hurdle and a beginners' chase) at Punchestown. His last two unplaced outings came in Grade 1 company over fences and he is clearly a big player in this company. Emmet Mullins' So Scottish is very talented and can rebound from an unplaced run at Cheltenham. Grandero Bello was a neck in front of Life In The Park in second at Limerick and gets first-time cheekpieces. Dropping back in trip will suit him.
Prediction : 1st Life In The Park 2nd Kilcruit 3rd So Scottish

IMPERVIOUS has been a joy to watch over fences and is taken to maintain her unbeaten record in this discipline. She was a more than useful hurdler in winning a Grade 3 in Down Royal, but has taken her form to a whole new level over the bigger obstacles. She is a perfect four from four including the Grade 2 mares' chase at Cheltenham where she won a battle on the run-in with Allegorie De Vassy. The latter comes back for more and is a threat as she is the closest to Impervious on ratings (4lb inferior). She has had a run since Cheltenham when clearly not at her best in second at Fairyhouse. Instit, a stablemate of Allegorie De Vassy, beat her at Fairyhouse and has a shot at finishing in front of her again.
Prediction : 1st Impervious 2nd Instit 3rd Allegorie De Vassy

STATE MAN is very hard to get away from in this field, but is priced accordingly. He couldn't land a blow on the imperious Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but did come home in a clear second. His record prior to that reverse was excellent as he accumulated four Grade 1 victories in a row. He is ground versatile. His stablemate, Sharjah, is still a very solid operator. He was placed at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and is likely to give Patrick Mullins another good spin. Zanahiyr finished third in the Champion Hurdle and occupied the same berth in the Aintree Hurdle. He could land another good cheque. Vauban chased home State Man in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown in December and February. He weakened in fourth in the Champion Hurdle, but has plenty of ability.
Prediction : 1st State Man 2nd Sharjah 3rd Zanahiyr

IMPAIRE ET PASSE is a top-class novice and can follow up his Ballymore win. A debut bumper winner at Nancy in March 2022, he has done everything right in his three hurdle wins, scoring impressively at Cheltenham and should confirm placings with third-placed Champ Kiely. The selection's main rival could be one-time Derby favourite High Definition, who should be suited by stepping up in distance. He is quirky and keen but was only beaten seven lengths by top-class runner-up Facile Vega in the Supreme at Cheltenham, when he appeared caught for pace. Champ Kiely is a Grade 1 winner but was beaten seven lengths by the selection at Cheltenham and perhaps High Definition might beat him for second. Amir Kabir, Inothewayurthinkin and Thecompanysergeant are each capable but need to improve.
Prediction : 1st Impaire Et Passe 2nd High Definition 3rd Champ Kiely

ITS ON THE LINE might overcome an Aintree fall and win, with neither UK rivals Premier Magic nor Shantou Flyer running due to an administration mess. Returning from a fall isn't ideal but the selection had previously finished a staying second at Cheltenham, with a sounder surface being an advantage to the progressive six-year-old. Chris's Dream is 7lb better off, having finished fifth at Cheltenham, but is his rider's first chase ride and prefers soft ground. Billaway beat Vaucelet to win last year's renewal and while both are fine hunters, Billway is now a gear slower with Vaucelet disappointing at Cheltenham. Annamix showed no regard for the form book at Fairyhouse and while suited by good ground, faces a tougher task. Aintree-third Lough Derg Spirit is suited by a sound surface but has been beaten in Open points this season. Dinny Lacey steps up from his Cork win.
Prediction : 1st Its On The Line 2nd Chriss Dream 3rd Billaway

SA MAJESTE is absent since winning 341 days ago and while he has probably had a setback, is suited by race conditions and could be smart. His two French runs were at Auteuil, beating blacktype-placed horses last-time and should be ok on drier ground. Monbeg Park has a big race-fitness edge having been disqualified, following interference, at Fairyhouse. It now seems he is ideally suited by this distance and while vulnerable to smart types, should get involved. Spillane's Tower could prove better than 126 but nonetheless steps up from his Naas win and drops in distance. Firm Footings ran well in the Coral Cup and has won at this distance but faces a tough task. Arctic Bresil is possibly best watched reappearing in a first-time tongue-tie having disappointed in a January Grade 1, with his Cork form being nothing outstanding. Uncle Phil looks Willie Mullins' second-string having had veterinary issues on recent runs.
Prediction : 1st Sa Majeste 2nd Monbeg Park 3rd Spillanes Tower

LECKY WATSON showed real promise in the Cheltenham Bumper and is now Patrick Mullins' pick. Disqualified here due to interference in November, his big size suggests today's slightly longer distance could suit and has form on a sound surface. Stablemate Dr Eggman finished a half-length behind Lecky Watson when last seen at Fairyhouse last April and while capable, the selection seemed a work-in-progress then and has improved since. Quantum Storm finished second to a capable type in a February course bumper, and holds Irish Panther (now 5lb worse off) on that form. Littlefoot also has good form but is vulnerable to smart types while Walk Away Harry showed potential when dead-heating for second on heavy ground at Clonmel. He's My Hero has useful points form and ran well in a tongue-tie on bumper debut while Talk In The Park has been well held by the winners of his two bumpers. Did I Ask You That has twice been a beaten even-money favourite and runs in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Lecky Watson 2nd Quantum Storm 3rd Walk Away Harry