UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Out of a sister to County Hurdle winner Arctic Fire, ARCTIC FLY made a winning start in a Leopardstown bumper in March. That has worked out to be relatively ordinary form and she was unable to cut the mustard in Listed/Grade 3 company afterwards but is still a leading contender now switched to hurdles with her yard continuing to send out winners with relentless regularity. Point-to-point winner Bobbisilver caught the eye of the stewards on hurdling debut and then ran well at a big price when fourth in a fairly competitive maiden at Ballinrobe. Bumper winner Stormalong has a mark of 101 in this sphere and was a creditable sixth to a Mullins-trained winner at Limerick. Summertime Romance won over 1m4f and was rated in the high 70s for Marco Botti while Stay Local has been placed in her last three Flat outings and makes her second start over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Arctic Fly 2nd Bobbisilver 3rd Stormalong

SALVADOR ZIGGY initiated a summer hurdling four-timer when landing a maiden at this venue just over a year ago and his standout effort over the smaller obstacles was when chasing home Good Time Jonny in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. He disappointed in a Grade 1 at the Festival meeting here in April but gets the vote to make a winning start over fences. Hubrisko is rated nearly a stone inferior to the selection over hurdles. He made mistakes when third at Tipperary last month but should have learned plenty from that chasing debut. Caesar Rock was second to the smart Panda Boy over C&D last year and has run two sound races since returning from a winter break. This will be his ninth chase start and he's likely to be ridden forward to try and put that experience to good use.
Prediction : 1st Salvador Ziggy 2nd Hubrisko 3rd Caesar Rock

This trip might be a bare minimum for ARCHIES CHARM but, by contrast, 3m4f was too far when he failed to justify favouritism in the Ulster National at his local track of Downpatrick. He's had time to recover from those exertions and his previous two runs against subsequent Cheltenham festival winners were very creditable. Ben Bromley has enjoyed plenty of success across the water and his claim leaves the selection on a lovely racing weight. Birchdale was bang in contention when coming down two out at Killarney. That was over a longer distance but he won a valuable handicap over this trip at Leopardstown last year and is only 1lb higher here. Pat Coyne was pulled up in that Killarney contest but had won over hurdles prior to that and was a dual handicap chase winner on good ground last summer. Take All needs to bounce back from recent efforts but went close at Limerick in March and was a fine second over a bit further here in November.
Prediction : 1st Archies Charm 2nd Birchdale 3rd Pat Coyne

The Sean Doyle-trained IURKASH was an eye-catcher when a never nearer third to Maggie Walsh at Tramore last weekend, and over this longer trip he might be able to reverse the form. While Doyle mostly trains point-to-pointers, he has had plenty of track success in recent years, with Lucky Max and Monbeg Park his flagbearers. Danny Gilligan is a significant jockey booking aboard the selection and he claims a valuable 7lb. A case can be made for many others in this very competitive heat. The aforementioned Maggie Walsh went up just 6lb for her recent win and she could well follow up with Aidan Kelly again on board. Crafty Gael, Serpolette, Emily In Paris and Nasee will all be bidding to go a place better than last time, while top-weight Leish Oscar Son is an interesting contender on his debut for Gavin Cromwell. Brehon Star, Attitash and Depeche Mo are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Iurkash 2nd Maggie Walsh 3rd Serpolette

Beaten by just half a length into second over the course and distance last month, FANCY A COSMO might be able to go a place better now. Placed four times in a row back in 2021, the six-year-old has obviously had setbacks and ran just once throughout last year. With two track wins to her name, Emily Cody takes the ride on the selection for her uncle Ray and she claims a valuable 7lb. Jody Townend is a significant jockey booking on Doctor Churchill, with this Cormac Farrell-trained bay given second preference. He ran a fine race to finish seventh of 25 on his debut for Farrell at the Punchestown Festival, but since failed to make an impact at Cork. Rathnaleen Kal has been in fine form of late and is sure to have plenty of supporters with Maxine O'Sullivan aboard, while recent Wexford runner-up Warm In Gorey and top-weight Mica Malpica are others that warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Fancy A Cosmo 2nd Doctor Churchill 3rd Rathnaleen Kal

This looks a good opportunity for EASY FELLA to finally get off the mark. The son of Yeats has been a bit frustrating to follow but ran arguably his best race to date when second to What Path at Tipperary, with that one since giving the form a boost by following up at Kilbeggan. Rated 112, the selection will be ridden by capable claimer Niall Moore who takes a valuable 7lb off. The Willie Mullins-trained Naruto is given second preference. He won what looked an ordinary bumper at Killarney on his most recent outing and starts off over flights now. Getaway Charlie has some strong pieces of form to his name and had two subsequent winners in behind when second to Corbetts Cross in a bumper at Cork in October. While disappointing on his most recent starts, the Tim Doyle trained seven-year-old might be able to make an impact in a contest of this quality. Ebenezer Scrooge, Champagnesocialist and point-to-point winner Croi Corcra are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Easy Fella 2nd Naruto 3rd Croi Corcra

It might be worth taking a chance on COUNTRY QUEEN. Twice successful last year, her recent efforts have been disappointing. However, she should be suited by this step up in trip, with a return to quick ground also likely to aid her cause. Gordon Elliott trains the selection and is also represented by Jumping Jet, who is sure to have plenty of supporters on what will be her handicap debut. The hat-trick seeking Miss Tempo is the one to beat on form. She impressively made all on her return from a lengthy absence at Naas in March and she followed up in style at Tipperary, when stepping up in trip. Hanoi Jane and Say It Ain't So are other recent winners in the line-up, with the former of definite interest. Rated 97 and with Shane O'Callaghan claiming 7lb, she will carry a featherweight of nine stone eight. Another at the bottom of the handicap is Ounce Of Gold. He caught the eye when making late gains at Tipperary and it'll be interesting to see how he fares now.
Prediction : 1st Country Queen 2nd Mister Beeton 3rd Hanoi Jane

The Willie Mullins-trained FOUR CLEAN ACES should prove hard to beat, as she bids to follow up on her narrow debut success at Tipperary. The form of that race has since been boosted by runner-up World Of Fortunes and fifth place finisher Mousey Brown. They both claimed Wexford bumpers last month, with the former particularly impressive in what looked a decent contest. The selection is out of a seven-time winning sister to Royal Alphabet, who was successful eight times for Mullins, with his biggest triumph coming in Grade 2 company over flights. Dark Image and Final Decision are the other winners in the line-up, with the Derek O'Connor ridden latter given second preference. Newcomers Avakate and Cladagh Pearl warrant respect coming from the yards of Andy Slattery and Sam Curling.
Prediction : 1st Four Clean Aces 2nd Final Decision 3rd Dark Image