UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

DE NORDENER comes here in fine form and may be able to make his mark now on the 'track'. The Ocovango gelding has won a couple of banks races in point-to-points and has also run well here in the past. He travelled well until a mistake two from home in this last year, eventually finishing fourth to Three By Two. Last year's victor obviously has to command plenty of respect but his two efforts this year haven't been to the same level. Casey West is an interesting recruit to this game. He won a Clonmel hunter chase in January and has the ability to make a mark if taking to the obstacles.
Prediction : 1st De Nordener 2nd Three By Two 3rd Casey West

A large field and plenty will have been targeted at this big pot. The progressive MORRICONE may be able to land his hat-trick at the course. Ray Hackett's charge stayed on well when stepping up to this trip here in early February, getting up to beat a decent sort in Shannon Royale, who went on to win subsequently. There is a good English presence in this and Montregard could be a big player off a nice weight. He overcame some sloppy jumping to win at Wetherby last time and is still unexposed. Millstream Lady ran really well in Grade 3 company at Limerick last month and only got a 2lb rise for that effort. She's another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Morricone 2nd Montregard 3rd Millstream Lady

MYSTICAL POWER can turn the tables on Cheltenham conqueror Slade Steel on what should be less testing ground. Annie Power's son wasn't doing a lot in front and was value for a bit more than his winning margin at Aintree, when beating Firefox by half a length. The deep ground looked to take a toll late on at Cheltenham but he handles it soft as he showed last time. Slade Steel obviously commands plenty of respect and was a good winner of the Supreme. His stamina may have been the difference when the pair met last time. Firefox has been held by the aforementioned pair on his last couple of outings but is sure to be thereabouts again.
Prediction : 1st Mystical Power 2nd Slade Steel 3rd Firefox

DADDY LONG LEGS won't have taken much out of himself after a cosy success at Ludlow last week. That confidence-boosting win should have done him good after he finished well beaten in Grade 1 company behind brilliant stablemate Ballyburn at Leopardstown. He could be nicely treated now in handicap company. Toto Too was good when winning on his first outing for Gavin Cromwell at Naas and is another unexposed sort who could play a big part. Bialystok won this last year and comes here off the back of a good run at Ayr 10 days ago. He's another who has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Daddy Long Legs 2nd Toto Too 3rd Bialystok

Sermandzarak is the sole winner in the field but was awarded that race after finishing second to Colcannon, who weighed in light here in February. It was still a promising effort by Gordon Elliott's charge and he is entitled to improve. The eye is drawn to the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer KING RASKO GREY. The British and Irish champion trainer was really taken by the Galiway gelding after they paid 250,000 euros for him at the Arkle Sale last June and he is a fascinating debutant in this now. Henry de Bromhead's runner Dino Roque is another interesting newcomer as she is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Readin Tommy Wrong.
Prediction : 1st King Rasko Grey 2nd Sermandzarak 3rd Dino Roque

DINOBLUE was a good winner at the Festival last season and this looks like another nice opportunity to score at the top level with the mare. She already has a Grade 1 in the bag this season, having won in fine style at Leopardstown over Christmas. She drops back in trip now having failed to reel in Limerick Lace in the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham last time. Captain Guinness had his day in the sun when taking the Champion Chase last month, beating Gentleman De Mee. That race lost some of it's lustre after the exit of El Fabiolo, but Captain Guinness is a wonderfully consistent performer and is sure to be a big player again.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Captain Guinness 3rd Gentleman De Mee

There looks scope for further improvement from SPILLANE'S TOWER at this trip. Jimmy Mangan's charge made a couple of slight errors over the last two when taking the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse over Easter, but was nicely on top at the line and has always shaped like a horse who would appreciate a trip. Monty's Star ran a cracker when chasing home the brilliant Fact To File in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and he is a horse who is still progressing. Embassy Gardens bumped into a good one when second to Corbetts Cross in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. A mistake two out put paid to his chances then and he's capable of getting closer now.
Prediction : 1st Spillanes Tower 2nd Montys Star 3rd Embassy Gardens

UNKNOWN ENTITY was narrowly denied in his sole point-to-point start and can make a winning start for Willie Mullins now. The Kingston Hill gelding looked set to score before a slight mistake at the last in Belharbour in early February and has been snapped up by the all-conquering Closutton colossus for his track career. Pat Doyle, who trained Unknown Entity for his point-to-point run, has an interesting runner in this with Attaho. The half-brother to Allaho was third on his debut between the flags at Knockanard in February. Sixandahalf chased home a smart mare in Familiar Dreams on her racecourse bow at Naas last month and has to be respected on that form.
Prediction : 1st Unknown Entity 2nd Sixandahalf 3rd Attaho