UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

C&D winner COKO BEACH should be difficult to beat back over his optimum distance. Successful here in February, the grey ran respectably in the Grand National before finishing third over 4m1f back here in the La Touche Cup in May. Still in contention when unseating four out in the Velka Pardubicka last time, he can regain the winning thread now. In receipt of 10lb from the selection, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier has to be a serious threat. A Listed winner over hurdles, Solitary Man is an interesting recruit to this discipline.
Prediction : 1st Coko Beach 2nd Vanillier 3rd Solitary Man

Point-to-point winner SON OF ANARCHY looks an exciting recruit for leading owner J.P. McManus. Given that the Soldier Of Fortune gelding won easily by 15 lengths on that occasion, Gordon Elliott's charge appears to have immense potential. Fairyhouse bumper winner Argento Boy struggled at Cheltenham but ran much better when sixth in a Grade 1 here in May, and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding is sure to make his presence felt. Springt De La Mare is another who holds claims for the Gavin Cromwell yard.
Prediction : 1st Son Of Anarchy 2nd Argento Boy 3rd Springt De La Mare

LOT OF JOY is a useful staying handicapper on the Flat and was having her first run over hurdles in over a year when scoring in fine style at Gowran last month. Hopefully she can build on that success and may have most to fear from Champella, who progressed well over hurdles this year winning at the Galway and Listowel Festivals and may have found 2m7f a bit too far at Limerick last time. Feet Of A Dancer gained a fourth career win on her penultimate start at Wexford and had both Riviere D'etel and Champella behind when third to Jetara at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Lot of Joy 2nd Champella 3rd Feet Of A Dancer

DESERTMORE HOUSE has shown his best form over fences notably when successful in the Kerry National at Listowel last year and reverts to hurdles off a 16lb lower mark compared to his chase rating. The selection was a creditable third to Noble Birth on his last hurdle start at Naas this spring and should be spot on after a couple of recent outings over fences. Real Steel held a career high rating of 166 over fences four years ago and has been rejuvenated by Eric McNamara to land two big handicaps including the Munster National last month. He also reverts to hurdles off an attractive mark, while others to consider include Shadow Rider and easy Sligo maiden winner Great Universe.
Prediction : 1st Desertmore House 2nd Real Steel 3rd Great Universe

FARREN GLORY was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season and met a smart sort on debut over fences at Wexford before going one better at Naas last time. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding appeared to slip at a few fences but ultimately scored in decisive fashion and should benefit from that experience. Fascile Mode and Touch Me Not were only separated by a neck when fighting out the finish here last month, while Jordans has taken well to fences and also boasts winning course form in a 2m2f Grade 3. Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring made a promising start over fences at Navan last weekend.
Prediction : 1st Farren Glory 2nd Jordans 3rd Nurburgring

FASTORSLOW beat Galopin Des Champs in this race 12 months ago and may repeat the trick. The Martin Brassil-trained gelding has a great record at this venue, being a dual winner of the Punchestown Gold Cup, and could take some stopping again. Galopin Des Champs didn't jump as well as normal when third in last year's renewal and the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is an obvious threat, while his stablemate Fact To File took to fences really well last season and won a Grade 1 over a similar trip at Leopardstown before following up in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. Spillane's Tower and Inothewayurthinkin were also Grade 1-winning novices in the same colours over fences.
Prediction : 1st Fastorslow 2nd Galopin Des Champs 3rd Fact To File

WELL DRESSED progressed with each run in maiden hurdles last season and appears on a reasonable mark as she steps into handicap company after a summer break. The selection had Union Station over four lengths behind in third when beating all bar the odds-on Rainbow Trail at Navan last time. Sonny May justified strong support when opening her account at Gowran earlier this month and should make a bold bid to defy an 8lb hike in the ratings, while Lady Bresil represents a yard in great form and the lightly-raced Clonmel maiden winner has plenty of scope for improvement.
Prediction : 1st Well Dressed 2nd Sonny May 3rd Lady Bresil

W B EASY caught the eye when staying on from well off the pace to finish fifth behind Sermandzarak in the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper at the Festival meeting here in April. The Yeats gelding was an unconsidered 40/1 chance and hopefully can put that debut experience to good use against some interesting rivals. Soir De Garde catches the eye on pedigree being a half-brother to Champion Hurdle winner State Man, while Goldinthevalleys cost 220,000 euro as a yearling and has a Flat pedigree being by Siyouni out of a winning Galileo mare. Kalypso'chance was bought for 85,000 pounds after easily winning a point-to-point at Corbridge in Northumberland last spring.
Prediction : 1st W B Easy 2nd Soir De Garde 3rd Kalypsochance