Punchestown Tips Today: Thursday Best Bets from Architect

Nara, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1, 6 places

Mark Walsh and JP McManus have already been among the winners this week, and they have a cracking chance of landing the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle with NARA (best price 14/1).

Henry De Bromhead’s filly won by eight lengths in a Listed race on her hurdle debut in France, and despite not being seen to the best of effect the next two times, she caught the eye when she finished seventh of 22 in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival.

The handicapper has surprisingly dropped her mark by five pounds, and she will find this race much easier. The ground will suit her, and she is on a handy weight, so with various firms paying five places, I’m quite optimistic she will run a huge race. She must be chucked in here off 121. 

Holly, 1pt E/W, 11/2

HOLLY (best price 11/2) is my other one to consider in the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle, who also represents JP McManus in the famous gold and green silks.

She was last seen running a blinder to finish second in the Hurdle Series Final at Haydock to the in-form Brentford Hope, where she travelled well throughout and was only beaten half a length.

Her mark has only gone up a pound as a result, plus a conditional is booked to ride, who can claim a valuable 7Ib. The winner of that latest race subsequently finished second off a mark of 143 in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle a couple of days ago. 

On that basis, the form is solid, and she must be well handicapped with a mark of 123. She has plenty in her favour, and with improvement on the cards, she must be on the shortlist. Most firms are offering a generous six places. 

Blood Destiny, 1pt WIN, 3/1

With Spillane’s Tower taking a second Grade 1 victory earlier this week, then surely BLOOD DESTINY (best price 3/1) should be winning the Listed Frontline Security Handicap Chase, having beaten the former at Navan. 

Willie Mullins’ five-year-old wasn’t seen to the best of effect when third in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup last time out but still ran well and should find the combination of dropping in class and returning to two miles in his favour. 

His previous sixth-length win over Spillane’s Tower in the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase reads very well, and with no horse of that calibre in this line-up, he should be hard to beat. He is also the choice of Paul Townend. 

Fameaftertheglory, 1pt E/W, 8/1, 4 places 

The popular Coko Beach ran a really good race to finish 11th in the Grand National and was impressive in winning over three miles at this course in his penultimate start on his cross country debut. However, his three attempts over four miles or further have seen him look like a blatant non-stayer, and he’s vulnerable under a monster weight. 

The one I am interested in is FAMEAFTERTHEGLORY (best price 8/1), who has run really well in two cross country chase events, including when third behind Coko Beach here in February. Gavin Cromwell’s charge has looked like a complete natural on both occasions, and this much longer distance should be right up his street. 

This eight-year-old has deliberately been aimed at this race, and his two prep runs have gone smoothly, in which he’s made the frame in a pair of hurdle races. There’s every inclination to suggest he can bridge the gap on the favourite this time around, so with firms paying four places, he is a confident each-way choice to at least make an impact. 

Asterion Forlonge, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1

ASTERION FORLONGE (best price 10/1) was behind Teahupoo in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when he finished sixth, but I expect this top-class 10-year-old to at least bridge the gap with the winner at this venue.

Willie Mullins’ charge has a good record at Punchestown, and he came very close to winning this race twelve months ago when only denied by half-a-length to stablemate Klassical Dream, who is practically unbeatable at the course, with Teahupoo back in fourth.

Paul Townend’s mount comfortably gained a confidence-booster victory when successful in a Grade 3 match-race at Cork last time out, and he has plenty in his favour in his quest to go one better than last year. This could be the day he finally achieves his Grade 1 success. 

Ashdale Bob, 1pt E/W, 20/1, 6 places 

The Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle is very competitive, but Jessica Harrington’s ASHDALE BOB (best price 20/1) has a lot of quality form in the book and could outclass these if he performs to his best despite his odds suggesting otherwise.

The nine-year-old finished a close-up fifth in last year’s Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle on this card, as well as finishing second in the 2022 renewal, so he will undoubtedly find this easier. In fact, his record at the Punchestown Festival reads 225, and all of those efforts have been in Grade 1 events. 

This multiple Grade 2 winner has dined at the top level for several years, running well in defeat on several occasions, and can find himself 8Ib lower than when he finished third in the 2022 Coral Cup, which came off a mark of 152. With his rider's claim taken into account, he runs in this race off 137!

Given his fine record at this venue, his very handy mark, and the ground and trip being in his favour, this talented individual must have outstanding in-the-frame claims. Most bookmakers are paying six places; he’s a cracking each-way bet, with every chance of beating these if he can continue his love affair with the venue. 

De Capo Glory, 0.5 pts E/W, 22/1, 6 places

DE CAPO GLORY (best price 22/1) is another that will be dropping down in grade to contest the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle and looks well handicapped off a mark of 140.

This seven-year-old has course-winning form and is 5Ib lower than when he finished seventh in this year’s Coral Cup, not beaten far. His close-up third in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan in February reads well, and he remains completely unexposed down the handicap route. 

JJ Slevin is at the top of his game and has been booked to ride, which adds confidence. This will be his mount’s first run over three miles, but he could improve for it and makes plenty of each-way appeal, with most bookmakers paying a generous six places. 

Angelo Dundee, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1

His fitness has to be taken into trust, but ANGELO DUNDEE (best price 12/1) looked like an exciting prospect when taking the 22-runner bumper at this meeting 12 months ago, and if he’s ready to go after his long absence, he could play a pivotal role in the outcome. 

The way he travelled and displayed a burst of speed to defeat a useful field was impressive, and he could have been found an easier opportunity elsewhere. Clearly, he’s held in the highest regard and is an appealing each-way proposition in the final race on the card.