UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

HYPERSONIC MISSILE did well in bumpers during his time with John McConnell and, with the switch to hurdles unlikely to pose any problems for this point-to-point winner, he holds leading claims on his stable bow for Gavin Cromwell. Touch Me Not fell at the last when clear on his sole appearance between the flags and has since been bought by powerful connections for 150,000 pounds. He will be expected to figure prominently on his Rules debut, while Anotherway and Catena Zapata also merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Hypersonic Missile 2nd Touch Me Not 3rd Anotherway

Timeless Piece is sure to prove popular after romping home by 10 lengths on her handicap hurdle bow at Down Royal last week. However, Gordon Elliott's filly does have a 12lb rise to contend with, so it may pay to take a punt on her stablemate DOCTOR NIGHTINGALE. Lightly raced on the Flat, she has picked up plenty of experience over timber so far and has offered enough to suggest that her opening mark is workable. Burvea may fare best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Doctor Nightingale 2nd Timeless Piece 3rd Burvea

Point-to-point winner Tareze must be respected on her Rules debut for a top stable, but it may pay to side with the more experienced BIOLUMINESCENCE. Gavin Cromwell's charge kept on well to finish second over 2m at Navan on her hurdling bow, and this step up in trip can help her to get her head in front. Paggane finished a well-beaten fifth behind the selection that day, but improved to occupy the runner-up berth at Cork and warrants consideration for her powerful connections.
Prediction : 1st Bioluminescence 2nd Tareze 3rd Paggane

An intriguing recruit from the Flat in France, where he was successful in July 2022, BILLERICAY DICKIE can strike for his in-form connections, who have taken this contest for the past two years. Related to recent Leopardstown scorer Intellotto, the son of New Bay has been given Cheltenham Festival entries so should have too much for He's Ultimate, as well as Beau Walking, who has been placed on each of his four starts in this sphere and may be one for handicaps down the line.
Prediction : 1st Billericay Dickie 2nd Beau Walking 3rd Hes Ultimate

CHAMPAGNE ADMIRAL accounted for a useful rival when winning a handicap over this distance at Leopardstown a month ago and the six-year-old merits the utmost respect on the back of that performance. The unexposed Joyau De Thaix is an obvious threat following his success at Limerick and Paul Nolan's gelding should have more to offer on just his third start. Cases can be made for all of the remainder, but Built By Ballymore is arguably the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Champagne Admiral 2nd Joyau De Thaix 3rd Built By Ballymore

QUORNOFAMONDAY posted another gallant effort in defeat as favourite when runner-up in a 21-runner affair at Naas earlier this month. A 2lb rise looks more than fair and a well-earned breakthrough victory could be on the cards. There was plenty to like about Verbal Sparring's close-up second at this venue on New Year's Eve and the five-year-old is a potential improver now upped in distance, while it's too soon to write off Gold Haven.
Prediction : 1st Quornofamonday 2nd Verbal Sparring 3rd Gold Haven

Slight preference is for COSMO RENFRO, who should be well suited by going back up in trip, having scored over an extended 3m at Limerick back in November. The seven-year-old, who then made the frame over 2m5f at the same track, remains relatively unexposed and he gets the vote ahead of Reserve Judgement and Captain Jimmy, who has ground to make up with the selection but won here over further a little more than a year ago. Completing the shortlist are Arthor, Glorious Singer and Made In The Woods.
Prediction : 1st Cosmo Renfro 2nd Captain Jimmy 3rd Reserve Judgement