UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

DARK NOTE has an each-way chance in a typically competitive renewal of this race. Andrew Slattery's charge is up in trip, but has contested some valuable handicap hurdles with a close second in the Lartigue at Listowel a notable effort. Harsh was trapped out wide in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival, but still finished fourth. A big run over this new trip wouldn't be surprising. Maroto makes his handicap debut and, as the sole representative for Willie Mullins, has to be respected. Final Orders has an obvious chance as he bids to exploit a much lower hurdles mark in relation to his chase rating. He wouldn't want too much rain, though.
Prediction : 1st Dark Note 2nd Harsh 3rd Maroto

BLIZZARD OF OZ looks a likely sort for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The form of his latest victory at Leopardstown was emphatically franked when the horse in fourth came out and landed a Fairyhouse Grade 2 novice hurdle by a wide margin. Answer To Kayf emerged from Cheltenham with credit following a staying-on fourth in the Martin Pipe. He enjoyed a similar trip when delivering the goods at Naas and his rating of 138 entitles him to be heavily involved. Backtonormal has form behind both Blizzard Of Oz and Answer To Kayf and has since switched stables to the in-form Gavin Cromwell.
Prediction : 1st Blizzard Of Oz 2nd Answer To Kayf 3rd Backtonormal

MISTERGIF ought to find this company to his liking. This Zarak gelding has contested Grade 1 contests on his last two starts and his fifth at Cheltenham and fourth at Aintree should have him more than competitive up in trip here. Cleatus Poolaw didn't have the smoothest passage when unplaced in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Prior to that, though, he was in a consistent vein of form which gives him claims. Antrim Coast won his maiden hurdle over slightly further at this track. He found a Grade 2 assignment at Cheltenham too hot, but has been freshened up. Nicky Henderson's raider East India Express should be given a market check.
Prediction : 1st Mistergif 2nd Cleatus Poolaw 3rd Antrim Coast

Gordon Elliott's STELLAR STORY might take the scalp of Dancing City again. He beat Dancing City into third in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival and his vanquished foe came out and scooted home in a Grade 1 at Aintree. Stellar Story has had a break since Cheltenham and could just be the fresher of the pair. Stellar Story's stablemate Better Days Ahead would want more rain but shouldn't be underestimated, while Backmersackme is pitched in here for shrewd connections.
Prediction : 1st Stellar Story 2nd Dancing City 3rd Better Days Ahead

JASMIN DE VAUX came wide and ran out a convincing winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and can confirm that form with several of these rivals that finished in behind. The Tirwanako gelding quickened up nicely in testing conditions then to beat Romeo Coolio and it's hard to see the runner-up turning the tables. Gordon Elliott's well-regarded charge could be suited by better ground now, though. A bigger danger may be the Barry Connell-trained William Munny. This Westerner gelding is unbeaten in two starts and was impressive when scoring at Naas in February. His trainer is very bullish about his ability and the six-year-old has the scope for further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Jasmin De Vaux 2nd William Munny 3rd Romeo Coolio

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS did get turned over in this last year but it's hard to oppose the dual Gold Cup winner. After a below-par effort on his return this season, in the John Durkan, he has been imperious in the top staying chases, culminating in a dominating performance at Cheltenham. Obviously Fastorslow lowered his colours in this last year and also in the John Durkan. He was no match for a peak Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup and didn't get a chance to test him at Cheltenham last time. Corach Rambler ran a cracker when third in the Gold Cup before a first-fence exit at Aintree in the Grand National. He could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Fastorslow 3rd Corach Rambler

LETS GO CHAMP looks on a nice weight and can land a deserved success. The Jeremy gelding has performed well in his three chase starts to date and ran a big race on his handicap debut when third to Hgranca De Thaix at Limerick in March. He remains on the same mark and there looks to be scope for further improvement. Willie Mullins saddles three with James Du Berlais heading the weights. He ran a big race when second over the National fences at Aintree last time and is only 1lb higher in this. Seddon had a terrific campaign last season and is one to note in the market on his return.
Prediction : 1st Lets Go Champ 2nd James Du Berlais 3rd Seddon

FAMILIAR DREAMS can cap a fantastic season with a fourth straight bumper success. The Postponed mare has really come into her own this year with some powerful front-running performances, including a commanding success in Listed company at Fairyhouse last time. She will make it a tough test for her rivals, particularly if getting a soft lead. Patrick Mullins partners Aurora Vega from the four Closutton runners. The daughter of Quevega was beaten at a short price in the Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival having won her previous three. Air Of Entitlement made a good impression on her Rules bow at Cork and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Familiar Dreams 2nd Aurora Vega 3rd Air Of Entitlement