UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Gordon Elliott's COKO BEACH ought to be a leading contender. He travelled notably well in the prestigious Velka Pardubicka in October before unseating four out when still holding every chance. He couldn't land a blow when last seen in the Thyestes, but is the highest rated here. Furthermore, he won this race by six lengths last year. Stealthy Tom landed the previous renewal and looks threatening after a third place over this course in November. Vanillier took sixth then and could get closer in blinkers. Chemical Energy, a stablemate of Coko Beach, is unexposed in this discipline and could feature at the business end.
Prediction : 1st Coko Beach 2nd Stealthy Tom 3rd Vanillier

MUSIC OF TARA made a bright start to life with Gordon Elliott when winning a valuable handicap hurdle in Navan. After that victory, Elliott pinpointed a Listed contest at Huntingdon, which she holds an entry for later in the week. That shows the trajectory she is on, so she looks the one to beat in this mares' handicap chase. Theonewedreamof competes off a lovely light weight with Conor Stone-Walsh's 5lb claim factored in and has her chance. This is a drop in class for Queen Jane and it might spark her back into form. Sea Aster could build upon a Down Royal fourth, while Splashing Out's best form is over shorter trips.
Prediction : 1st Music Of Tara 2nd Theonewedreamof 3rd Queen Jane

The market is likely to revolve around the 131-rated Ethical Diamond and there is a feeling that the best is yet to come. On his penultimate start, he was good enough to finish fourth in a handicap on the Flat at Royal Ascot. Willie Mullins' charge may not want the ground as testing as this, though. Gordon Elliott's KAINSBOURG didn't run his race when last of four in a Navan maiden hurdle, but has notable French form on heavy ground and is worth another chance. Bumper winner Quint Major can improve upon a fifth place on his hurdling debut at Limerick, while reserve Cardcounter could get into the mix if getting a run.
Prediction : 1st Kainsbourg 2nd Ethical Diamond 3rd Quint Major

There was a lot to like about LEHAUNSTOWN's second place on handicap debut over a similar trip at this track. He wasn't foot perfect at the last, but kept on nicely and was clear of the remainder. Johnny Blue disappointed when favourite for a novice handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, but could bounce back. Miss Mini Bee has improved on each of her three starts over flights, culminating in a second at this venue in January. Drusilla kept on for fourth at Naas, which has earned her a shot at this longer trip. Hills Of Glory was just pipped at Naas, but this will be the slowest ground he has encountered.
Prediction : 1st Lehaunstown 2nd Johnny Blue 3rd Miss Mini Bee

JACOB'S LADDER easily landed the odds in a Down Royal bumper and appreciated the step up to 2m4f when getting up close home to take a Navan maiden hurdle last month. He gets the vote over Balko D'ange, who has progressed nicely over hurdles this season, notably landing a Listed handicap at Limerick last time. The Story So Far won't lack for stamina having won a 3m Cork maiden hurdle, while C&D winner Birmingham Alabama is another to consider. There is not much to choose between Duke Silver and Dumb Love on running behind Shraheen at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, while Butcher Hollow reappears after a lengthy absence.
Prediction : 1st Jacobs Ladder 2nd Balko Dange 3rd Duke Silver

ARGENTO BOY needs to bounce back after a disappointing effort at Leopardstown, but still looks the one to beat on overall form. The Jukebox Jury gelding easily won a Fairyhouse bumper on debut last year and made an encouraging reappearance when switched to hurdles over an extended 2m5f here in November. He beat all bar The Big Westerner, who subsequently won a Grade 2 at Limerick, with Son Of Anarchy over 20 lengths behind in fourth and the long-absent Flemensface well beaten in sixth. Minella Post was placed on both bumper starts and has also shown promise over hurdles, including here behind James's Gate.
Prediction : 1st Argento Boy 2nd Minella Post 3rd Son Of Anarchy

SLOTTY DOTTY confirmed the promise shown in maidens when scoring in good style on her handicap debut over 2m6f here last month. The point-to-point winner finished strongly to beat Comeonarchie by seven lengths and is taken to defy a 10lb rise in the ratings over this slightly longer trip. Betty Dutton enters calculations on her second to Collaborative over 2m4f at Navan, while Whatsupnellie caught the eye when keeping on into third behind Magic McColgan in an extended 2m3f mares' maiden here. Slim Marvel had Gers Gigi over two lengths and a position behind, with Lucky Viv fifth, when runner-up behind Cast A Spell over 2m4f at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Slotty Dotty 2nd Betty Dutton 3rd Slim Marvel

KING OF KINGSFIELD played an important role when acting as pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting and will appreciate this drop in class. He was a smart novice over hurdles last season and his younger legs may give him the edge over Sir Gerhard, whose impressive CV includes the Champion Bumper and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but he needs to step up on two below-par hurdle outings here this season. Zoffanien and Cut The Rope are others to note, while first reserve Galvin would add plenty of interest if getting a run.
Prediction : 1st King Of Kingsfield 2nd Sir Gerhard 3rd Zoffanien