UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

This should be straightforward for ICARE DESBOIS. On what was his handicap debut, the French-bred grey looked set to land a valuable contest at Killarney last month, before a bad mistake at the last resulted in Paul Townend being unseated. Despite that mishap, he was upped 7lb by the assessor and is by far the highest rated horse in this six-runner contest. Wandering Rocks appreciated the sounder surface when successful at Ballinrobe and the chestnut five-year-old should give a good account of himself. Napper Tandy has been placed three times from five starts since joining Matthew Smith and another solid effort can be expected from the dual Flat victor.
Prediction : 1st Icare Desbois 2nd Wandering Rocks 3rd Napper Tandy

Uncle Phil is sure to have plenty of supporters, but his most recent efforts have been disappointing and he is without a win from four visits to Punchestown. Towards the bottom of the handicap, GREAT BEAR appeals most. Returning from a break, he ran a fine race to finish third at Ballinrobe, on what was his handicap debut over fences. The 123-rated eight-year-old should come on plenty for that effort and it'll be disappointing if he is not involved towards the business end here. returns to fences for the first time since September and with Carl Millar claiming a valuable 7lb, the versatile chestnut looks a leading contender. Typical Thomas is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Great Bear 2nd Uncle Phil 3rd The Banger Doyle

JUMP THE SHARK might be able to follow-up on his Downpatrick success. The subject of strong market support prior to that recent victory, the Walk In The Park bay was value for more than the winning margin of a length and a quarter. Upped 8lb to a mark of 104, the Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old still looks ahead of the handicapper. Marronstown has been knocking on the door of late and is a definite danger, while Lady Kate, Gondor and Balinaboola Steel are other leading hopes. Favori Logique also has solid claims and can be excused for his most recent effort after his reigns snapped early on.
Prediction : 1st Jump The Shark 2nd Marronstown 3rd Lady Kate

A dual winner on the level in France, GAUCHER might be able to make it third-time lucky over flights. Returning from a lengthy absence, he was a fine fourth on his hurdling debut at Navan and was narrowly beaten when last seen at Kilbeggan. Only headed in the closing stages at the Co Westmeath venue, the Frankel chestnut is likely to be suited by this drop back in trip. Omniscient has also won twice on the Flat. He has been placed on two of his three starts since switching to hurdles and another bold bid can be expected from him now. Martinstown is also of interest in a first-time hood, while Clonshire River and Eagle's Way are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Gaucher 2nd Omniscient 3rd Martinstown

Dual bumper winner MY GREAT MATE is a standout name among the 22 intended starters. A half-brother to Grade 1 victor Ashroe Diamond, the Jukebox Jury grey was down the field when tried at the highest level on his most recent start. In much calmer waters now and upped in trip on his hurdles debut, he looks the one to beat. Midleton Rare and Sage Conseil are other bumper scorers in the line-up, with the former successful by 10 lengths at Fairyhouse in October. Kilkee Bay has some valuable hurdling experience to his name but was disappointing when a beaten favourite at Ballinrobe last month. Donnie Devito and dual point-to-point winner La Vega Moon are others to respect.
Prediction : 1st My Great Mate 2nd Midleton Rare 3rd Sage Conseil

It might be worth taking a chance on DEL GIRL in this competitive affair. Trained by the shrewd Shane Crawley, the Mount Nelson mare finished ninth of 20 on her most recent start at Down Royal. That was just her second try in handicap company and, upped in trip now, she is open to further progress. Second and third here last month, Warmer Days Ahead and Great Rainbow are sure to have plenty of supporters. The latter was only headed in the closing stages and this slight drop in trip could prove ideal for the Brian McMahon-trained six-year-old. Gaelic Des Chastys starts off for Eric McNamara and is of interest, while Spellacy's Cross and The Virginian also warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Del Girl 2nd Great Rainbow 3rd Gaelic Des Chastys

This looks even more competitive than the first division, with the vast majority of these still yet to taste success. While a beaten favourite on her last start, BIRDSANDTHEBEES might be able to redeem herself. A sister to well-regarded point-to-point winner Shuffle The Deck, she has some solid efforts to her name and will be aided by the 7lb claim of capable conditional Peter Smithers. Trained by the shrewd Martin Brassil, a tongue-tie and cheekpieces might bring about some improvement from Il Silenzio. As the only two winners in the line-up, Shean Glory and Flashthelights warrant respect, while others for the shortlist include Its Not Over Yet, Papa Barns, Toor Moon and Ixigreczed.
Prediction : 1st Birdsandthebees 2nd Il Silenzio 3rd Its Not Over Yet

This looks a race sure to produce plenty of future winners. Jonathan Sweeney is operating at a 50 per cent strike rate so far this campaign and the shrewd Co Cork handler is represented by FATAL FLAW. The Pour Moi six-year-old made late progress to finish a never-nearer second to the well-regarded Sorrentino at Ballinrobe last month, and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better now. Fourth in a good quality contest at Navan in November, Base Of Fire will be popular with punters, while Bigcitylights (tongue-strap and hood now deployed), Chart Topper, Ned In The Park, Solsbury Hill, The Correction and interesting newcomer Passenger are other leading contenders.
Prediction : 1st Fatal Flaw 2nd Base Of Fire 3rd Bigcitylights