My NAP and Best Value Tips for Day 1 of the Punchestown Festival

Monty’s Star (NAP) – Champion Novice Chase

I’m a big fan of this horse and I think his second behind Fact To File at the Cheltenham Festival is the best piece of form for the race on Day 1 at the Punchestown Festival.

MONTY’S STAR is a superb jumper of a fence and I’m expecting Rachael Blackmore to utilise that quality. Henry de Bromhead has a unique knack for getting one primed for the big day and he should go very close, all being well.

His form ties in with some nice types and that Fairyhouse race involving Corbetts Cross, Nick Rockett and the re-opposing Three Card Brag looks strong. What I would say is – two fences were omitted that day and that almost certainly benefited Gordon Elliott’s runner, given he is a supreme stayer and his jumping is often wayward. 

Spillane’s Tower won the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse last month but I’m not convinced it was the strongest race – with the timing of that meeting having an impact on entries.

This is a much more competitive field and I’d say he could be one to lay for a place, especially if ‘good’ is in the going description.

Gentleman De Mee – Champion Chase

At the time of writing, the going at Punchestown is currently yielding, good to yielding in places and dry conditions will certainly boost the chances of GENTLEMAN DE MEE.

He ran a huge race in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, staying on strongly to finish less than two lengths adrift of Captain Guinness.

I was particularly taken by that run and was surprised to see him as third favourite to prevail at Punchestown – particularly with Paul Townend booked to ride.

He’s inconsistent but he has two Grade 1 triumphs to his name and a third could be on the cards on Tuesday evening. The less rain between now and post time, the better.

Glan – Handicap Hurdle

A slightly riskier selection but I think GLAN could go well in the Killashee Hotel Listed Handicap Hurdle (20/1 at the time of writing). She’s always been held in high regard by connections and a strongly run two miles should see her to best effect.

She is rather ground dependent so any rain that falls between now and post time would concern me but she has won on soft ground in the past. However, she’s a different beast on a faster surface, five of her six wins have come at right-handed tracks and the booking of Mark Walsh gives her a real chance.

The only negative I have is that I wonder if she’s being prepped for a race like the Galway Hurdle. Glan is a horse that comes with risk but she’s talented and comes here fresh after the winter off.