UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Scaramanga was a Grade 1 winner in the US when last seen over obstacles and Willie Mullins' representative merits the utmost respect on his return, but it is ASH TREE MEADOW who shades preference. The talented chaser, a Grade 3 winner as recently as last month, will have no problem reverting to hurdles and looks to hold leading claims in receipt of 6lb from the other principals. Fascile Mode was a creditable third at Ballinrobe last time out, but that position might be his best hope once again.
Prediction : 1st Ash Tree Meadow 2nd Scaramanga 3rd Fascile Mode

Easy Fella bolted up on his fencing bow at Tipperary and Henry de Bromhead's charge is an obvious candidate once again, but REVEREND HUBERT can come out on top. Once useful on the Flat, Charles Byrnes' gelding appeared to relish a switch to fences when winning comfortably at Limerick, and natural improvement ought to give him every chance of following up. Solitary Man and Saylavee, who receives 7lb from the aforementioned trio, are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Reverend Hubert 2nd Easy Fella 3rd Solitary Man

A chase mark of 106 proved far too lenient for MOUSEY BROWN, who recorded a cosy success at Kilbeggan a week ago. A 10lb rise will ask more questions of her, but she is open to further improvement over the larger obstacles and her prominent style of racing will suit around here. Jasmin De Cotte has few miles on the clock himself and he is interesting from an opening chase figure of 123, having struck at Kilbeggan last month. Slane Hill could have a say on his return from a 203-day absence, while Railway Hurricane is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Mousey Brown 2nd Jasmin De Cotte 3rd Slane Hill

Having scored with some ease on her chase bow at Tramore last week, Purse Price must enter calculations on this switch back to hurdles. However, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare may have to play second fiddle to fellow last-time-out winner MISSUS BEETON. The six-year-old scored a shade cosily over 2m3f at Limerick and there looks to be more to come over this distance. Smallcraftwarning also arrives in good heart and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Missus Beeton 2nd Purse Price 3rd Smallcraftwarning

JUST FOR LOVE shaped like a smart prospect when making a winning debut in a Galway bumper in September last season. The Willie Mullins-trained mare looks just the type to excel now tackling hurdles on her return to action and she can take this en route to bigger things. Cork third Rosalys may serve the most resistance to the selection now upped in distance, ahead of Smiling Bess, who shouldn't be far away if producing her best form.
Prediction : 1st Just For Love 2nd Rosalys 3rd Smiling Bess

Uncle Pat displayed a willing attitude when making a successful start to his racing career with a triumph in a NH Flat race at Downpatrick in August last year. Willie Mullins' gelding is sure to prove popular now facing obstacles for the first time, but the experienced CHOSEN THYME edges the verdict. The seven-year-old looks well worth another go at a longer distance after his staying-on fourth over 2m4f here in February and he was only beaten a length a quarter that day. Innatendue and Lightkeeper are also noted.
Prediction : 1st Chosen Thyme 2nd Uncle Pat 3rd Innatendue

BELLA BLISS possibly made her bid for glory a fraction too soon when she was overhauled near the finish over an extended 2m3f at Limerick 17 days ago and, with this longer trip very much in her favour, the John McConnell-trained could be hard to reel in this time, especially with Alex Harvey's 7lb claim boosting her chance at the weights. Dorans Law is open to improvement now he tries a longer distance, while Donkey Years also rates a key player from a competitive mark in comparison to his chase rating.
Prediction : 1st Bella Bliss 2nd Donkey Years 3rd Dorans Law

FILLUSIN handed Hannah Smullen a day to remember with her first winner under Rules when they teamed up to score in a similar race at Tramore nine days ago and can follow up under a penalty here. Fellow previous winners Sansrisk and Pepperpots also command respect but Aruntothequeen showed ability when a close second at Tipperary last month and may emerge as a bigger threat to the selection, given that was a marked improvement from her debut run here last April.
Prediction : 1st Fillusin 2nd Aruntothequeen 3rd Sansrisk