15:05 Wednesday

Blizzard Of Oz (NAP)

I’ve had my fingers burned by BLIZZARD OF OZ on more than one occasion but I genuinely cannot see past him in this race.

That may be a bold (or foolish) statement given he’s not the most reliable type and he does have something to prove having finished behind Answer To Kayf at Naas in February.

He finished second in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last year and the official going that day was good to soft. For me, he’s simply a better horse on spring ground and I expect a big performance from Blizzard Of Oz – especially with Paul Townend back in the saddle.

Answer To Kayf ran a big race in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and you’d imagine he will be in the mix once again. I think that form is pretty strong, with the front four looking like particularly smart types.

Trainer Terence O’Brien suggested that this race was his horse’s primary target after that Naas success but I’m pretty confident that Blizzard Of Oz can reverse the form on better ground. Rain rain, go away...

16:15 Wednesday

Better Days Ahead

As mentioned above, this year’s Martin Pipe looks strong and BETTER DAYS AHEAD was a good winner of the race. He was given a peach of a ride by Danny Gilligan, who keeps his place in the saddle for the Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.

While he may prefer a softer surface, I’m pretty confident that he’ll cope with quicker conditions. Better Days Ahead cannot be ignored after his effort in the Martin Pipe and he should be in contention at the business end of the race.

I’m laying Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story here – I can’t see this race suiting him anywhere near as much as a slog on the New Course at Cheltenham. Jack Kennedy has picked him but I have a feeling he’s on the wrong one.

16:50 Wednesday

Redemption Day

One of my favourite horses in training, it would be fantastic to see REDEMPTION DAY give Tim O’Driscoll a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival.

He went close in this race in 2022, making Facile Vega pull out all the stops to win by just over a length. The front two were 14 lengths clear of the rest that day and I give him a huge chance as long as the ground doesn’t become a bog.

Jody Townend gets on brilliantly with him and she gave him a cracking ride when putting his rivals to the sword at Fairyhouse. Faster conditions will be a huge positive for him and Redemption Day is a nice each way price considering his form in the book.