UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

SOMETHING ABOUTHER is a seven-year-old who tackles this distance for the first time but has recent form and is suited by good ground. A 2021 bumper winner, she missed 450 days before returning this year and bumped into capable winners on recent runs. She contests a winnable race and could be suited by going up in trip. February point-to-point winner Annalecka was a 14/1 winner of a recent pointing bumper and while proven at this distance, probably faces a tougher task against today's selection. Ginnets Girl had some useful form last summer and while pulled up when last seen, makes her seasonal reappearance with today's rider claiming 7lb.
Prediction : 1st Something Abouther 2nd Annalecka 3rd Ginnets Girl

GET MY DRIFT retuned from a mini-break to win last month and reverts to a handicap chase. Rated 134 over hurdles last year, he beat a useful mare to win at Kilbeggan and had previously run well in a Grade B chase on handicap debut, over a similar distance, in February. Vado Forte was seven lengths behind the selection in that Leopardstown race and while now 6lb better off, was well held at Aintree in April and returns following a mini-break. Kildorrery is an able type at this level and is well suited by two-miles but doesn't appear ahead of the handicapper. The Greek was well beaten in a much stronger race at the Punchestown festival but has some claims on best form while Filon D'oudairies might improve from a recent reappearance run over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Get My Drift 2nd Vado Forte 3rd Kildorrery

OCEAN LEGACY has recently found form and is ideally suited by staying distances and good ground. Her form had been largely disappointing prior to this year but is just a six-year-old who can continue to progress a little further and can cope with an 8lb hike for a recent win. The Eye Of Tulla has also recently hit form on good ground and while he won well at Limerick, his best form is over shorter distances. Alpha Male, a 12 year old, won a similar handicap here in May 2022 and while well held over hurdles recently, that was over an inadequate distance and will be much better suited by today's conditions. Stablemate and banks specialist Subset is interesting rated just 81 but his previous handicaps form was poor.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Legacy 2nd The Eye Of Tulla 3rd Alpha Male

DANADA disappointed on a recent run but is better judged by a promising debut run. He shaped with promise on his Clonmel debut, with the runner-up, fifth and sixth-placed horses subsequently winning, and while he needs to show that form, his Downpatrick run was his first run for 108 days and this is a weak maiden. April point-to-point winner Nevermindestranger was in strong contention for a Downpatrick hunters chase when exiting at the second-last and while probably better suited to staying chases, seems suited by good ground and is interesting at this level. Steel Cable was reported to have burst blood vessels when pulling up at 33/1 at Navan last November. He has moved yards and it is positive that connections have persevered, but the eight-year-old needs to show vast improvement. Summer Gale has bits of flat form but was off-the-bridle for much of his seasonal reappearance and jumps debut at Kilbeggan. Blue In The West steps up from a recent confined maiden point-to-point win.
Prediction : 1st Danada 2nd Nevermindestranger 3rd Summer Gale

After THE SHORT GO's wide-margin victory in a Killarney maiden hurdle, Henry de Bromhead reported that he had really turned inside out in the last few months. A couple of winners have come out of that race to strengthen the form. The forecast quick ground ought to be in his favour being by Fame And Glory. Ash Tree Meadow has been in good form over fences. He ran up a hat-trick last summer and was also placed in the Galway Plate. He hasn't been over hurdles since April last year, but looks dangerous and Danny Gilligan's 7lb claim is a big bonus. Jeff Kidder is coming off a break, but has plenty of talent. He had a golden spell over flights a couple of years ago and is more than capable of having a say.
Prediction : 1st The Short Go 2nd Ash Tree Meadow 3rd Jeff Kidder

SCOTT LANG has form on fast ground on the Flat and should have more to offer on his second start over hurdles. He may not have quite got home when third over 2m3f on jumping debut at Clonmel last month, so the drop back in trip can help. He has been placed on his last two starts in staying handicaps on the Flat. Nathaniel filly New Year Honours should be a factor. She won on the all-weather track at Lingfield for Ralph Beckett and has had three spins over hurdles for Gordon Elliott. She has a best finish of second at Down Royal in November and hasn't been seen since December. Fermoyle has been placed in two bumpers and has claims on his hurdling debut. Bukhill was unplaced in two bumpers for Willie Mullins, but went off favourite in both. He is worth a market check on his first start for Peter Fahey.
Prediction : 1st Scott Lang 2nd New Year Honours 3rd Fermoyle

STRIKING took second place on his last couple of starts over hurdles and can get his turn. Although he was beaten a long way over a similar trip at this track last month, the horse that took the honours had been placed in Grade A and Grade B handicap hurdles. Gordon Elliott's Nottodaybobo was placed in three of his four bumpers and is an obvious threat on his first crack at hurdling. His stablemate, Sea Aster, is a newcomer to note being related to several winners. Bonavena is a nicely-bred sort making his debut for Peter Fahey.
Prediction : 1st Striking 2nd Nottodaybobo 3rd Sea Aster

I WILL BE BAIE is hard to get away from on his first start for Willie Mullins. This French-bred gelding made 150,000 guineas at the sales after winning his point-to-point on fast ground at Taylorstown in April last year for Colin Bowe. Smokey Putnum showed marked improvement to come home third at Ballinrobe and Down Royal. This will be the quickest ground he will have faced, but he's starting to go the right way. Fad Eadrainn made a pleasing debut in third at Tipperary and should be in the hunt for prize money. Master Otis has had three outings and was second at Thurles in March. All of his runs have been on slower ground.
Prediction : 1st I Will Be Baie 2nd Smokey Putnum 3rd Fad Eadrainn