My NAP and Best Value Tips for Day 3 Of The Punchestown Festival

Gaelic Warrior / Teahupoo Double (NAP)

They’re both far too short to put up as a single but I believe both will win and so the GAELIC WARRIOR – TEAHUPOO double is my NAP of the Day on Day 3 at Punchestown.

Let’s start with Gaelic Warrior. He absolutely bolted up in the Arkle, finishing 13 lengths clear of Il Etait Temps and, barring a fall, I cannot see how the Cheltenham Festival form is reversed.

Il Etait Temps is a hardy, robust type but he is 0-2 round Punchestown and he seems to prefer left-handed, flat tracks. Hercule Du Seuil is rated 17lbs lower than Gaelic Warrior and shouldn’t be a threat – this looks a foregone conclusion for the favourite.

As for Teahupoo, his race is more competitive but he’s a lightly raced type who goes well fresh. He’s been held back for this race after bypassing Aintree and he was much the best horse in the Stayers' Hurdle, going away to beat dual winner Flooring Porter.

The ground is a slight concern but his class can see him through. His form this season is rock solid and he can give Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy another Grade 1 winner.

Pinkerton (E/W)

I’m a big fan of PINKERTON and I have a feeling he could be thrown in off a mark of 130 in this race. He’s been racing on soft ground for the majority of the season but produced a super performance when winning on yielding to soft ground at Tipperary.

Assuming it was the faster conditions that made the difference, Pinkerton could be a fair bit better than his mark – especially when you consider his overall form.

His runs behind Imagine and Mister Policeman look decent enough and the presence of Blood Destiny in the race means Pinkerton carries just 10-6. I’m hopeful of a big run.

Kilbeg King (E/W)

KILBEG KING won this race 12 months ago and I think he has a cracking chance of going close once again, this time with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle.

Plenty of horses in the race want the ground soft enough but Anthony Honeyball’s raider will appreciate dry conditions and I think he can defy an 8lb higher mark than the 126 he won off last year.

He’s a horse that generally thrives with his racing and he’s danced every dance at the big spring Festivals – I’m hoping he has saved his best day for Punchestown once again.