UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

UNDENIABLE ALIBI debuts in handicaps and has recent form. A point-to-point winner, he won a February maiden at Clonmel and then ran well when finishing third at Naas last month, form which was franked by the fourth-placed horse. Rumi returned from a year off the track when winning on the Flat at Gowran. His fifth-placed effort behind Irish Point in March 2023 reads very well and he's one to note. Ballycallan King won quite easily at Limerick recently but has been raised 9lb.
Prediction : 1st Undeniable Alibi 2nd Rumi 3rd Ballycallan King

In common with many high-class novices, BLOOD DESTINY is well respected on his handicap debut. His chase form is consistently strong and, although just a five-year-old, he has sufficient experience to tackle a big-field handicap like this. Path D'oroux has competed at every big festival since early December and, having performed well in similar valuable handicaps on each of his last four runs, he should again be competitive under a 5lb claimer. Former County Hurdle winner Saint Roi hasn't won since a Grade 1 success in December 2022 but did go well at Aintree latest.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Path Doroux 3rd Saint Roi

COKO BEACH was beaten 34 lengths in the Grand National but had previously won on this cross country course in February. Suited by soft ground and a dour stayer, he can put last month's Aintree experience to good use. A 15-year-old won this race in 2022 although last year's winner Vital Island, now aged 12, was pulled up behind the selection in that February contest and needs more. The in-form Birchdale defeated Vital Island when winning here in November and is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Coko Beach 2nd Vital Island 3rd Birchdale

GAELIC WARRIOR gained his first Cheltenham win in March and is a standout performer who is ideally suited by conditions. Everything went right for him at Cheltenham as he completely left behind his Leopardstown no-show, and he has twice comfortably defeated Il Etait Temps, form which he should confirm here. Il Etait Temps was himself a fine winner at the top level at Aintree 21 days ago and cannot be completely overlooked. Hercule Du Seuil received a minor bump at the start at Aintree last month but was well held and looks most likely to finish third.
Prediction : 1st Gaelic Warrior 2nd Il Etait Temps 3rd Hercule Du Seuil

There is rain forecast for Punchestown on Thursday, but Teahupoo would really need plenty. As this season's Stayers' Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, he is the one to beat but is swerved at a short price on forecast ground that doesn't ideally suit him. HOME BY THE LEE was unable to get on terms with Teahupoo when third at Cheltenham, but has a shot at getting closer on this ground. He has been lightly raced and could come to the boil here. Sire Du Berlais has a decent record on better ground and was third in this race last year.
Prediction : 1st Home By The Lee 2nd Teahupoo 3rd Sire Du Berlais

CAPTAIN CODY is up in trip and would welcome rain, but his class could see him through for Willie Mullins. He was a decisive winner of a Grade 2 novice hurdle over 2m4f at Fairyhouse at the end of March which bodes well for this assignment. Maxxum wasn't quite done with when falling after two out in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse latest and has his chance with Carl Millar taking 7lb off his back. Captain Cody's stablemate O'Moore Park could respond well to the first-time hood, while Coming Up Easy hacked up in a maiden hurdle at Limerick and lurks towards the bottom of the weights for Henry de Bromhead.
Prediction : 1st Captain Cody 2nd Maxxum 3rd OMoore Park

SPINDLEBERRY outran her odds when a creditable runner-up in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse latest and that form gives her leading claims for Willie Mullins. Her stablemate Got Glory is certainly one to note. She actually made her Irish debut in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last year, but was pulled up after racing freely. She has had her issues, but returned almost a year later to hack up in a Naas maiden last month. Me Wee Bonnie Lass is a very likeable sort who is three from four over hurdles, while British raider Casa No Mento isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st Spindleberry 2nd Got Glory 3rd Me Wee Bonnie Lass

SAMYR impressed with a clear-cut success on heavy ground at Gowran Park and should improve on better ground considering he was bought to go on the Flat. Port Joulain merits automatic respect as he represents team Mullins. After his Gowran Park success in March, Willie Mullins commented that he would have been one for Cheltenham, but that he couldn't get him ready in time. Mullins' Cantico was eased when beaten in the Champion Bumper and could bounce back on this ground. Angelo Dundee hasn't been seen since winning a bumper on debut at the Punchestown Festival last year, but he has plenty of ability and cannot be ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Samyr 2nd Port Joulain 3rd Cantico