UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Just a nose separated Faith Loving (winner) and GREENWAY MACHINE (second) when the pair met at Fairyhouse nine days ago, but the latter, who is 3lb better off at the weights today, is fancied to reverse that form en route to success. He Fitz In arrives having posted back-to-back seconds and he must enter the reckoning, along with the consistent Fox Le Bel. Highstreetfashion might be 10lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago, but Patrick Rooney's gelding is unlikely to go down without a fight.
Prediction : 1st Greenway Machine 2nd Faith Loving 3rd He Fitz In

BUA BOY was last seen finishing down the field in the County Hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and he has since switched to the in-form Philip M Byrne yard. The son of Doyen is the top-rated of this field over hurdles and warrants the utmost respect on his chase debut following a long absence. The main threat could be Bleu D'enfer, who failed to fire off a mark of 120 at Ayr but could show a lot more stepping into novice company. Of the remainder, Deployed makes the most appeal on his chasing bow.
Prediction : 1st Bua Boy 2nd Bleu Denfer 3rd Deployed

The majority of those with hurdling experience will need to find more than we have seen so far if they want to get the better of PACINI, who makes his debut for the in-form Gordon Elliott after winning his sole start on the Flat in Germany. He could be an above-average recruit and might make a winning start to his new career, possibly at the expense of Semblance Of Order. The Buratino gelding was decent enough on the Flat and could be the selection's biggest rival if he takes to obstacles, although Jeaniemacaroney is open to improvement and may surprise a few.
Prediction : 1st Pacini 2nd Semblance Of Order 3rd Jeaniemacaroney

Ascending is likely to have his supporters after finishing a respectable fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Henry de Bromhead's gelding is sure to go close if running to a similar level on his seasonal bow. However, IT'S FOR ME may have the scope to reach higher heights after a cracking fifth in the Champion Bumper, and the five-year-old should take all of the beating if translating that ability to hurdles. Caldwell Potter makes most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Its For Me 2nd Ascending 3rd Caldwell Potter

This looks a good opportunity for MISS PRONUNCIATION to follow up her taking success over 2m at Limerick last month. She races off a 9lb higher mark but won with plenty in hand that day and, being out of a Grade 3-winning dam, she has scope for plenty of further progress. The biggest threats may be Ellaat, a three-time hurdles winner who ran two good races on the level last month, and Perzzini. The latter showed promise when making all in a 2m maiden at Gowran in September and he can be forgiven unseating his rider over that same C&D on Saturday.
Prediction : 1st Miss Pronunciation 2nd Ellaat 3rd Perzzini

LOUGHGLYNN didn't make much impression in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival when ninth, but he could prove a different proposition now switched to hurdles. The son of Vendangeur looks to have been found a suitable opportunity and could take all of the beating. Charity Barnum was still going well when falling three out at Navan when last seen in March and could have a say, while any market confidence behind Elusive Prince would be noteworthy on his debut under Rules.
Prediction : 1st Loughglynn 2nd Charity Barnum 3rd Elusive Prince

Now that HUNTING BROOK has tasted success for the first time over timber, Gordon Elliott's charge could kick on. Representing a yard which can seemingly do no wrong at the moment, the Presenting gelding should have more in the locker and a 7lb penalty for his Down Royal win six days ago doesn't look enough to prevent another bold showing. I Am Spider Man tries cheekpieces for the first time and is noted, while Blenheim Belle, Hutchie and Birdsandthebees are others expected to go well.
Prediction : 1st Hunting Brook 2nd I Am Spider Man 3rd Blenheim Belle