UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

NATURALLY NIMBLE is probably the pick of these on the Flat and gained a deserved win last time when taking a 1m2f maiden at Navan. The yard has a good line on juvenile hurdle form this season and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market. Slurricane had Lakota Blue over 13 lengths back in fifth when beating all bar the selection's stablemate Prairie Angel at Down Royal earlier this month, while there is very little to choose between You Done Well, Kaptain Bay and Out For A Stroll, who all finished close up in the Gowran maiden won by Solar Falcon.
Prediction : 1st Naturally Nimble 2nd Slurricane 3rd Out For A Stroll

EASTERN LEGEND was a smart sort on the Flat, winning three times last year including a valuable 1m4f handicap at Leopardstown, and certainly has the best piece of hurdles form when just over three-lengths fifth to Kargese in the Grade 1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle here at the Festival. Zillow won twice on the Flat in France at around 1m4f and was bought for 300,000 euros at Arqana last year, while Sermandzarak also represents powerful connections and won twice here in bumpers, including the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper at the Festival. Butch Cassidy won a Ballinrobe bumper for Philip Fenton in April, while point-to-point winner Shuffle The Deck is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Eastern Legend 2nd Zillow 3rd Sermandzarak

BALLYBURN was the star novice hurdler last season and makes his eagerly awaited chasing debut. The point-to-point winner, who gained both of his bumper victories at this venue, was very impressive in scoring three times at Grade 1 level last term, including the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle by a margin of 13 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival. Dee Capo was also a useful novice over hurdles, winning twice, while An Epic Song was narrowly beaten in the 2023 Coral Cup at Cheltenham but has failed to sparkle in two chase starts. Miss Pronunciation progressed well over hurdles and completed a hat-trick at Fairyhouse in February.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Dee Capo 3rd Miss Pronunciation

A disappointing turnout for this Grade 2, with all three runners representing the same connections and riding arrangements suggest STELLAR STORY is preferred. The point-to-point winner developed into a smart staying novice hurdler last season, notably landing the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. Search For Glory has a similar profile to the selection having also scored between the flags and in a bumper, and stayed well over hurdles last term, winning a 3m Clonmel Grade 3. He finished strongly to make a winning start over fences at Galway last month, while Rainbow Trail scored over 2m4f at Gowran but has since fallen here in a Grade 3.
Prediction : 1st Stellar Story 2nd Search For Glory 3rd Rainbow Trail

Runner-up at Ayr when last seen in April, the Stuart Crawford-trained BALLYCOOSE can make a winning reappearance. Lightly raced over fences having had just the four starts, the seven-year-old is open to further improvement this term. Danny Mullins is a positive booking on a gelding who tends to run well off the back of a break. Wexford scorer Watch The Weather will find this easier having struggled in a Grade 3 at Cork and the consistent eight-year-old is likely to be very competitive for trainer Ray Cody. Magic Tricks needs to step up considerably on recent runs over fences, but there is no denying the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old is well handicapped.
Prediction : 1st Ballycoose 2nd Watch The Weather 3rd Magic Tricks

Champion Hurdler STATE MAN is hard to oppose in his bid for a third consecutive win in this race. Arguably better than ever last season, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was unbeaten in all five starts. A horse who tends to run well fresh, he shouldn't be found wanting for fitness, despite having bigger long-term targets. Stablemate Lossiemouth is likely to provide the greatest threat. A winner of eight of her nine starts, the mare has long been considered a genuine Champion Hurdle prospect. She gets an early opportunity to test the title holder here. Gordon Elliott's recent Down Royal winner Brighterdaysahead looks the one most likely to trouble the Mullins pair.
Prediction : 1st State Man 2nd Lossiemouth 3rd Brighterdaysahead

The Philip Rothwell-trained BILLY LEE SWAGGER would be hard to beat if fit enough on his first start since April. Fourth in a stronger race at the Festival, the five-year-old remains potentially well treated off a mark of 104. With his stable in fine form in recent weeks, the gelding can record a second career win. A fast-finishing second over the minimum trip here just over a week ago, the Matthew Smith-trained Cozone should again be involved. Stepping up almost half a mile is also very much in his favour. The lightly-raced Pax has to be of definite interest in what is only his second start in handicap company.
Prediction : 1st Billy Lee Swagger 2nd Cozone 3rd Pax

Recent Down Royal winner JACOB'S LADDER should be able to confirm that form with runner-up Jerry From Kerry. Gordon Elliott's five-year-old had plenty in hand on that occasion, being afforded the luxury of easing down close home. Jerry From Kerry should once again provide the main opposition. Well supported when runner-up at Roscommon on debut, the Emmet Mullins-trained gelding easily beat a subsequent winner next time at Ballinrobe. Runner-up at Galway last time, Heads Up should be good enough to make his presence felt in a race of this nature.
Prediction : 1st Jacobs Ladder 2nd Jerry From Kerry 3rd Heads Up