UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

BRUCEJACK has plenty of experience over fences, which may give him a vital edge. The selection has filled the runner-up spot twice in similar events over slightly shorter trips and has also run well in competitive staying handicaps, including when fifth last time in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse. On Lovers Walk won two point-to-points and went close last time in a 2m4f Down Royal chase, while Shantou Princess was also successful between the flags and switches to fences after landing a 3m handicap hurdle here last month. Western Model won a handicap hurdle here last spring and riding arrangements suggest he's preferred to Coumeenoole, while point winner Rokathir is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Brucejack 2nd On Lovers Walk 3rd Shantou Princess

LECKY WATSON was a useful sort over hurdles, including when placed in a Grade 1 at Naas, and made an exciting start over fences at the same venue, making all to beat Slade Steel over 2m4f. He should benefit from that seasonal debut and could take high rank in the novice chasing division. Point winner Down Memory Lane also jumped well when successfully switching to fences at Navan, but didn't get into the same rhythm when tackling Grade 1 company at Sandown last month. Farren Glory holds Ifiwerearichman on running behind Inthepocket at Wexford and now steps up in trip after finishing second to stablemate Touch Me Not in the Grade 2 Craddockstown at this venue.
Prediction : 1st Lecky Watson 2nd Down Memory Lane 3rd Farren Glory

PAPA BARNS was placed a few times over hurdles and made a bright start to his chasing career when making most of the running and beating all bar Hillsdale in an 18-runner 2m Naas handicap, with Mahlers Cove well behind in sixth. He can build on that. The veteran School Lane has won three times in point-to-points, plus a further three chase victories under Rules, and gave some encouragement staying on into third when dropped to a lowly mark in a 2m5f Down Royal handicap last month. Toon Town won over hurdles for Brendan Walsh at Wexford last year and it will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour on debut over fences for a new yard.
Prediction : 1st Papa Barns 2nd School Lane 3rd Toon Town

Stepping up in trip should suit NINE GRACES. The Kapgarde mare ran well when chasing home easy winner La Malmason at Fairyhouse early last month and is just a couple of pounds higher now. Both her wins over timber came at 2m6f and she is still relatively unexposed over fences after four runs. Daily Present ran well in the competitive Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse, when third to History Of Fashion. Jack Hendrick takes a useful 7lb off the back of the top-weight now. Salmanino ran well at a massive price in Navan last time and is a previous C&D winner. He is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Nine Graces 2nd Daily Present 3rd Salmanino

All eyes will be on SALVATOR MUNDI here as the Supreme Novices' favourite makes his much anticipated return. The No Risk At All gelding was thrown in at the deep end on his first outing for Willie Mullins last season, finishing sixth in the Triumph Hurdle. He subsequently won his maiden hurdle at Tipperary by a massive 62 lengths and is a very exciting prospect for this term. Stablemate Kel Histoire looks the most likely danger. The Masked Marvel gelding won nicely on his Irish debut at Cork last month. Sky Lord also won a Cork maiden hurdle last month and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Salvator Mundi 2nd Kel Histoire 3rd Sky Lord

Things haven't gone to plan for A DREAM TO SHARE since claiming the Grade 1 bumpers at Cheltenham and the Festival meeting here in 2023, but he can get back on track now. The Muhaarar gelding ran with promise when fifth on his hurdling debut behind Ballygunner Castle at Fairyhouse in late November and is entitled to improve a nice bit from that experience. He may be able to turn around form with the third-placed horse Don'tstopthemusic. The Willie Mullins-trained Kappa Jy Pyke looks an obvious danger. He was beaten at a short price on his Irish debut, but ran into a nice sort in Sky Lord in Cork.
Prediction : 1st A Dream To Share 2nd Kappa Jy Pyke 3rd Dontstopthemusic

Josh Williamson is good value for his 7lb and he can strike here on BRIGHT LEGEND. The Denis Hogan-trained gelding ran well at Limerick on his last outing when chasing home Balko D'ange and is only a couple of pounds higher now. He ran well over a mile and a half on his last outing on the Flat, and stepping up in trip over jumps could bring further improvement. Beggars Rock got a 10lb hike for his wide-margin success at Limerick, but still looks an obvious danger. The Diddler has been placed in three maiden hurdles and looks on a fair mark for her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Bright Legend 2nd Beggars Rock 3rd The Diddler