UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Awarded the race in the stewards' room after just failing at Listowel on hurdles debut, the lightly raced WODHOOH can get her head in front here. The Gordon Elliott-trained filly shaped well on a couple of occasions for previous connections in the UK but always gave the impression she would improve with time. The form of her initial run over flights looks strong in the context of this race, so she should be capable of taking another step up the ladder. Our Boy Wes made a winning debut over hurdles at Ballinrobe but failed to back that up at Market Rasen last time. The Emmett Mullins-trained gelding remains of interest given his largely progressive profile. Pigeon House also rates a danger in receipt of weight from the previous winners although he will need to show further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Wodhooh 2nd Our Boy Wes 3rd Pigeon House

PARK OF KINGS looks capable of following up his recent Roscommon win off an 8lb higher mark. Paul Nolan's five-year-old had run well in a couple of bumpers last season before showing plenty of ability on his initial runs over hurdles. The JP McManus-owned gelding put it all together last month when running out a ready winner on just his second foray into handicap company. Mark Walsh never had to get too serious on the son of Walk In The Park, so he should have more to offer. Baltinglass Hill hinted at a revival when runner-up to a well handicapped mare at Killarney last time. He, too, looks well treated these days off a mark 6lb below his last win. Last time out winner Mr Macphisto also warrants respect as an in-form contender.
Prediction : 1st Park Of Kings 2nd Baltinglass Hill 3rd Mr Macphisto

Champion Hurdle third ZANAHIYR appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to make a winning start to his latest campaign. The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old tends to run well off the back of a break but the race conditions here give him a significant advantage over his two rivals. Despite being a genuine Grade 1 horse, rated upwards of 12lb higher than both, he meets them off level weights. Run For Oscar continues to improve on the Flat, arriving here on the back of a career-best effort when third in the Prix du Cadran. Despite having a bit to do on official ratings the gelding looks to be improving at the age of eight. Andy Dufresne will most likely have his season planned around another tilt at the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but he is a capable hurdler on his day.
Prediction : 1st Zanahiyr 2nd Run For Oscar 3rd Andy Dufresne

One of last seasons better bumper horses, POUR LES FILLES, can make a winning start to his career over hurdles. The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old won on his sole point-to-point run, before making a successful debut under rules in what is traditionally a strong bumper at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Following a highly creditable fifth in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, the Pour Moi gelding was put away with a hurdling career in mind. Smart flat handicapper Morph Speed ran well for a long ways on his recent debut over flights at Killarney. The seven-year-old should be all the better for that initial experience. Antrim Coast has the strongest hurdles form on offer, having filled the runner-up position at Navan last month.
Prediction : 1st Pour Les Filles 2nd Morph Speed 3rd Antrim Coast

IRISH ENVOY finished runner-up here either side of two somewhat disappointing runs over hurdles. A bumper winner on his debut last year, the Liz Doyle-trained five-year-old clearly has two ways of running but could prove well handicapped if he produces his best form. Recent Gowran winner We'llgowats has to be a leading contender once again in a race that doesn't have a great deal of strength in depth. The eight-year-old mare shouldn't be too far away. Scott Lang is another that is more than capable if at his best. The Paul Flynn-trained gelding has a couple of bits of form in maiden company that would give him strong claims against what is largely quite exposed opposition.
Prediction : 1st Irish Envoy 2nd Wellgowats 3rd Scott Lang

Despite being one of the elder statesmen in this line-up, the 12-year-old A GREAT VIEW holds leading claims under Charlie O'Dwyer. A winner at Ballinrobe on his penultimate start, the Denis Cullen-trained gelding made a bad mistake at Gowran last time which effectively ended his chances. With O'Dwyer taking over in the saddle here, the JP McManus-owned gelding is only a pound higher than for his last win. Glenquin Castle, who also carries the famous green and gold silks, has to be a danger under Mark Walsh. A winner over fences at Galway last month, the nine-year-old can race off a 6lb lower hurdles mark. The more unexposed Getaway Charlie could be involved especially given the excellent form of his trainer over the past few months.
Prediction : 1st A Great View 2nd Glenquin Castle 3rd Getaway Charlie

TARNOVA is an interesting newcomer for Michael Halford and Tracey Collins in this finale. A half-sister to a leading stayer on the level, she is somewhat different to most bumper runners from flat yards, in that her stamina is almost certainly assured. Having been given time to mature to the age of four, she may reward connections patience. Royal Hollow has finished runner-up on three of her four starts to date so is showing plenty of consistency for trainer Andrew Slattery. While always somewhat vulnerable to an unexposed debutant, the Beat Hollow mare should get her turn at some stage. Traditude Tara disappointed at Listowel last month but a reproduction of her debut second would make her a leading contender for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
Prediction : 1st Tarnova 2nd Royal Hollow 3rd Traditude Tara