UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

MONEY DANCER handled testing ground well when making a winning debut at the Curragh last spring. Her form tailed off in three subsequent Flat outings, but the Belardo filly made a very encouraging start over hurdles at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting when staying on well into third behind Wendrock with Last Kingdom 16 lengths back in fourth. Ephesus won a 1m4f Curragh maiden for Aidan O'Brien and finished a moderate third behind the impressive Sainte Lucie when switched to hurdles here last month with Chortal over 10 lengths behind. Castleheath won on the Flat at Sligo and made a bright start over hurdles at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Money Dancer 2nd Last Kingdom 3rd Ephesus

AWAY TO MILAN ran well after a lengthy absence when third to Binge Worthy over 2m3f here in November and should be suited by this drop back in distance after again weakening in the closing stages over 2m3f here on New Year's Eve. Ragmans Corner opened his account at Galway in October and comes here off another creditable run when second to Arch Enemy at Fairyhouse, while Tuckmill is another for the shortlist. The Court Cave gelding has won three times over hurdles including at Wexford last summer and has been in good form since over fences.
Prediction : 1st Away To Milan 2nd Ragmans Corner 3rd Tuckmill

MAGIC MCCOLGAN was a useful sort in bumpers last season winning at Leopardstown and finishing second to Familiar Dreams again on testing ground in a Fairyhouse Listed event. She beat all bar Relieved Of Duties when switched to hurdles on her reappearance at Cork last month and gets the vote over Speculatrix, who held a similar level of form in bumpers. The course winner was clear when falling at the last on her hurdles debut at Killarney and takes a drop in class after disappointing here last time. The well-bred Glens Lullaby switches to hurdles after a decisive bumper win at Wexford and she also commands respect.
Prediction : 1st Magic McColgan 2nd Speculatrix 3rd Glens Lullaby

PEBBLE BLEU might be a bit of value in this novice handicap hurdle. Tried in a first-time tongue-tie, she won off 4lb higher over fences here in October and is very interesting dropping in class and reverting to timber. Birmingham Alabama won a Wexford maiden last summer and shaped well on her return at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Wendell's Lass gave some encouragement when third to Arch Enemy at Fairyhouse last month and is now fitted with cheekpieces, while Avandra and The Lucky Lobster are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Pebble Bleu 2nd Birmingham Alabama 3rd Wendells Lass

Former point-to-point and bumper winner WILL THE WISE could be the answer. He has been placed in a couple of maiden hurdles and was highly tried in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan. Custom Taylor won his bumper in Kilbeggan before placed runs in maiden hurdles at Galway and Limerick. Notably, the horse that beat him into second at Limerick over Christmas has an entry in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival. Butchers Bill wasn't cheap at a Derby Sale and there is likely to be more to come from him, while Jump Allen is one to note up in trip. Point-to-point graduate Banter At The Bar should be given a market check.
Prediction : 1st Will The Wise 2nd Custom Taylor 3rd Butchers Bill

COSMO RENFRO looks dangerous reverting back to hurdling. Chasing didn't go to plan as he fell at Gowran Park and was pulled up at this track. However, he wasn't out of the first three on his previous seven hurdle races. During that spell, he won twice at Limerick and relishes attritional ground. Slotty Dotty brings a consistent level of form to the contest and has the same rating of 105 as Cosmo Renfro. She has banked third places in Leopardstown and Tramore and was last seen finishing fourth at Limerick in December. Comeonarchie kept on for second over further at this venue last month, but the forecast ground conditions may not be ideal for him.
Prediction : 1st Cosmo Renfro 2nd Slotty Dotty 3rd Comeonarchie

INTROVERSIO is a half-sister to a Listed bumper winner and is of obvious interest on her debut for Willie Mullins who won this race last year with another newcomer. Gordon Elliott's Forceonmyown came home second in a Limerick bumper behind a highly-regarded winner. She was well clear of the remainder, so this former winner between the flags sets a decent standard. Galileo Springs encounters much slower ground, but has posted runner-up spots in Naas and Fairyhouse. It is worth noting that it was a very smart sort that beat her in Fairyhouse. Arctic Flame can build upon a Thurles fifth, while Katie's Casper showed some promise in third in a Downpatrick bumper last May.
Prediction : 1st Introversio 2nd Forceonmyown 3rd Galileo Springs