UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

FASCILE MODE won twice here over hurdles and again showed his liking for the venue when beating Touch Me Not on chasing debut. The selection subsequently fell early in the Grade 2 won by Touch Me Not over C&D and the form was given a further boost when the latter filled the runner-up spot in a Grade 1 at Sandown last weekend. Jasko Des Dames has taken well to fences, winning both recent outings including a similar event here last month, and riding arrangements suggest he's the pick of Henry de Bromhead's three runners. Ifiwerearichman made a promising start over fences at Wexford, while An Epic Song went close in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last year but has yet to sparkle over fences.
Prediction : 1st Fascile Mode 2nd Jasko Des Dames 3rd Ifiwerearichman

DANCING CITY was a smart staying novice hurdler last season and should take high rank over fences. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was a three-time winner in Grade 1 company last term, including over three miles at both the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, and was also an impressive winner on his only point-to-point start. Shannon Royale won twice over hurdles last season, including here over 2m6f, and was only just denied on his chasing debut at Tipperary last month. Mossy Fen Park also won between the flags and made a promising start to his chasing career when runner-up to Firefox at Down Royal.
Prediction : 1st Dancing City 2nd Shannon Royale 3rd Mossy Fen Park

JAMES'S GATE was a smart sort in bumpers, winning easily at this venue and placed behind Facile Vega in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. The Shantou gelding has obviously had some training problems but also showed promise over hurdles last season and he makes more appeal than Leopardstown bumper winner Joystick. Forty Coats won a Naas bumper in good style and made a bright start over hurdles when beating all bar the odds-on Wingmen at Navan last month, with Syracus Du Houx over 20 lengths behind in fifth. McLaurey, Ballysax Hank and Supreme Ruler are others to note in a strong maiden.
Prediction : 1st Jamess Gate 2nd Forty Coats 3rd Joystick

HEY SUNSHINE was placed twice in bumpers and has taken well to hurdles, winning both starts. She got on top in the closing stages at Downpatrick last time and should be suited by this step up in distance. Riding arrangements suggest she's preferred to Cool Park, who scored in fine style at Fairyhouse last month, while point-to-point winner Tareze was also a wide-margin winner at Clonmel on her latest start and is another open to further improvement. Pastorale kept some good company over hurdles last season, while Limerick maiden winner Cottesloe Sunshine and Whimsy are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Hey Sunshine 2nd Tareze 3rd Cool Park

Clearly not himself when disappointing on his final start last season, PORT JOULAIN is afforded another chance. A point-to-point and bumper winner on his first two career runs, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was tailed off when well fancied at the festival here in May. Given plenty of time to recover from whatever was troubling him, the five-year-old should take the beating. Stablemate You Oughta Know has his sights lowered here having found life tough in Grade 1 company towards the end of last season. The six-year-old should be capable of better on his first start over flights. Tipperary runner-up French Hill sets the standard amongst those with previous jumping experience.
Prediction : 1st Port Joulain 2nd You Oughta Know 3rd French Hill

Despite the presence of a couple of unexposed young rivals, COLONEL MUSTARD holds every chance of adding a third career success. A regular competitor in the top graded races over the past few seasons, the Lorna Fowler-trained nine-year-old shaped with plenty of promise when third in a Grade 2 at Ascot recently. Although undoubtedly vulnerable to an improver, he nonetheless sets the standard. Winner of two of her four starts to date, the Willie Mullins-trained Got Glory remains open to further progression. It would be no surprise to see the mare develop into a smart type this season. A beaten favourite on his recent chasing debut, Jigoro has to be of serious interest back over flights.
Prediction : 1st Colonel Mustard 2nd Got Glory 3rd Jigoro

GAYE WINNIE can continue the excellent run of the Gordon Elliott string. An eye-catching fourth at Tipperary last time, the mare would have been closer but for a couple of jumping errors at critical points of the race. Granted a clearer round on this occasion, she can record the second win of her career. A winner over fences at Galway, Doonbeg Don has to be of interest on his return to hurdling. The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding is a lightly raced six-year-old with plenty of scope for improvement. Brave Adam, another who reverts to hurdles after a win over fences, should be capable of making his presence felt for trainer Tom Cooper.
Prediction : 1st Gaye Winnie 2nd Doonbeg Don 3rd Brave Adam

With the aid of her riders valuable 7lb claim, the consistent MILANAWAY can register a first success. Placed on her latest three starts, the six-year-old was denied by the narrowest of margins last time. Despite being raised 3lb as a result, the Denis Hogan-trained mare can race off a lower mark taking the claim into account. A dual winner over hurdles, He Fitz In is still well treated relative to his chasing mark. The Davy Fitzgerald-trained gelding has to hold leading claims with Danny Mullins a significant booking. A lightly raced five-year-old, Aurea Fortuna is also worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Milanaway 2nd He Fitz In 3rd Aurea Fortuna