UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

FR GILLIGANSVOYGE popped up in this race last year and a return to Punchestown might see him regain the winning thread. He has been placed in three handicap chases since then and although a couple of comeback spins in hunters chases at Gowran Park and Down Royal didn't see him at his best, they should have him primed for this. De Nordener ran well for a long way over further in a banks race on the opening day of the Festival before dropping to fifth, so he ought to be a significant player. Patrick Mullins is a notable booking for Brown Monday, who must be given a market check.
Prediction : 1st Fr Gilligansvoyge 2nd De Nordener 3rd Brown Monday

TACTICAL MOVE's form looks particularly solid which gives him a shot at overturning stablemate Mister Policeman. He was beaten less than two lengths into second in a Grade 1 in Fairyhouse at the end of March and the winner followed up in another top-level contest here on Tuesday. Willie Mullins, who has an outstanding record in this race, also saddles Mister Policeman, who is three from four over fences. He was a comfortable winner of a Grade 3 novice chase at Thurles and has to be respected off top-weight now stepped up in trip. Perceval Legallois has the ability to contend if he can brush up on his jumping.
Prediction : 1st Tactical Move 2nd Mister Policeman 3rd Perceval Legallois

The 153-rated ALLEGORIE DE VASSY sets the standard for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Her form has been generally very consistent since switching to chasing back in December 2022. She has won twice at this level and was last seen finishing well in fourth in the Grade 2 mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The in-form Brides Hill is gunning for a four-timer and was impressive in Listed class at Huntingdon, but the concern would be that Allegorie De Vassy comprehensively beat her in a Grade 2 at Thurles last year. Instit, a stablemate of Allegorie De Vassy, is next best on ratings and can also get in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Allegorie De Vassy 2nd Brides Hill 3rd Instit

ITS ON THE LINE is taken to repeat last year's victory in this race. He has put together a very solid portfolio of work this season in finishing a close second at Cheltenham and then delivering at Aintree. He is ground versatile and, as a seven-year-old, there should be more to come from him in this discipline. A bad mistake at the last saw Famous Clermont drop to second on his comeback run at Wincanton. He has form in the book to advertise his chance, though. Lifetime Ambition won well in Cork, while Boss Robin is an upwardly-mobile sort. Ferns Lock is classy, but has just lost a bit of form.
Prediction : 1st Its On The Line 2nd Famous Clermont 3rd Lifetime Ambition

Champion Hurdle hero STATE MAN is a nine-time Grade 1 winner who is unbeaten in four course runs and won last year's renewal of this race. His only defeat in his last 12 starts has been to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in 2023 and while just over a length separated him and Irish Point in March, the selection is currently at his peak. The aforementioned Irish Point should again give him a race but needs to find improvement to turn the form around. Sir Gerhard drops in distance having run well in a recent Sandown Grade 2 but has winning form at this distance and can fill third place.
Prediction : 1st State Man 2nd Irish Point 3rd Sir Gerhard

BALLYBURN is an outstanding novice hurdler and has already won two bumpers at this course. Defeated on hurdling debut last December, he has since beaten the subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel by seven lengths in February before winning well from today's rival Jimmy Du Seuil in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The selection is ground-versatile, suited by this distance and has a huge rating of 163 for a novice. Jimmy Du Seuil was subsequently beaten four lengths by Staffordshire Knot at Aintree, so might struggle to turn that form around, in a likely battle for second place.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Staffordshire Knot 3rd Jimmy Du Seuil

ANOTHERWAY looked a smart prospect when winning a maiden hurdle very easily in January and was still in contention when falling in a Grade 2 in March. He drops in grade here but nonetheless faces recent Fred Winter winner Lark In The Mornin. The four-year-old stepped forward markedly from his maiden hurdle runs when winning at Cheltenham but, while he might progress further, he faces a smart selection. Ascending is another with valid form claims and may benefit from a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Anotherway 2nd Lark In The Mornin 3rd Ascending

FISHERY LANE ran well in a smart Thurles bumper on debut and subsequently showed excellent form to finish fifth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. A reproduction of that performance may well be good enough here. Don'tstopthemusic is a lightly-raced seven-year-old who hasn't run since last August's Galway Festival, but he showed plenty ability on that occasion. That race has worked out very well, with seven of the other 13 runners scoring subsequently, and he is likely to be primed for this with Derek O'Connor booked. Tradecraft finished in front of a wide-margin subsequent winner when second at Kempton in February and also has claims.
Prediction : 1st Fishery Lane 2nd Dontstopthemusic 3rd Tradecraft