UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

WATERFORD WHISPERS was well beaten in a Christmas Grade 1 on his latest start but is capable on his day and finished runner-up in Cheltenham's Martin Pipe Hurdle last March. The selection ran well on his chase debut in December, he was eased when beaten at Limerick last time and is capable of much better. Springt De La Mare has a hurdles rating of only 118 and while a winner on chase debut last month, it is a concern that a first-time tongue-tie is applied. Release The Beast has winning chase form but might find the selection too strong. Rath Gaul Boy was hampered when last seen here and now debuts over fences against more experienced rivals. Release The Beast steps up from his Christmas win.
Prediction : 1st Waterford Whispers 2nd Springt De La Mare 3rd Rath Gaul Boy

HIGH CLASS HERO performed to a high level over hurdles and ran well on his chase debut here in December. Generally consistent, he was too keen when pulling up at Cheltenham in March but returned to finish second in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. He holds stablemate Loughglynn by 10 lengths on his last run and he can build on that promising introduction to fences. Mint Boy was unsuited by the shorter distance over hurdles at Leopardstown over Christmas but is rated 134 in this sphere, having shown better form at Galway in October. He stays well but might struggle to beat the selection. Chigorin was well held at Gowran but should also benefit from returning to this longer trip.
Prediction : 1st High Class Hero 2nd Mint Boy 3rd Loughglynn

January's Thyestes Chase form is very much tested here but a chance is taken with KINGS HALO, which remains somewhat unexposed over extreme staying distances. The selection won a Naas chase by 18 lengths in January 2024 and having returned lame the following month, bounced back to winning ways on his subsequent chase outing at Cork last month. He is 5lb higher today and tackles a much tougher race but has only once tried three miles – finishing second, and likes soft ground. Thyestes runner-up Velvet Elvis and third-placed Favori De Champdou have obvious claims but concede plenty weight to the selection. From 11 reopposing rivals, Bushmans Pass was next best in the Thyestes in fifth.
Prediction : 1st Kings Halo 2nd Velvet Elvis 3rd Favori De Champdou

WILLIAM MUNNY defeated the reopposing rival C'est Ta Chance in a Naas bumper last season and can confirm those placings from 4lb better terms, despite being a two-race maiden over hurdles. Following that Naas bumper, the selection finished third in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival and while beaten in two recent maiden hurdles, those were smart contests and he performed well in both of them. C'est Ta Chance is generally consistent and while he holds Taponthego on recent Navan form, he might struggle to beat the selection. The Great Nudie faces a tougher task than when winning here last month.
Prediction : 1st William Munny 2nd Cest Ta Chance 3rd The Great Nudie

JADE DE GRUGY has to concede plenty of weight all round but was a smart novice last season and can progress in open company. The selection under-performed when beaten in Cheltenham's mares' novice hurdle last March but she bounced back to win a Grade 1 lat Fairyhouse ater that month. In the past, her trainer has used today's race as a springboard to Cheltenham, with the likes of top-class mares Annie Power and Quevega landing this prize. Gaoth Chuil has proven handicap form but would ideally prefer further and lacks the selection's scope for improvement, while Lot of Joy is useful on her day but flopped on her latest start .
Prediction : 1st Jade De Grugy 2nd Gaoth Chuil 3rd Lot of Joy

YOULITA debuts for new connections and hasn't raced for 100 days but has ability. A point-to-point winner last October, he was hampered in the closing stages in a Fairyhouse bumper last November, soon after which he was sold for 46,000 euro. His lack of a recent outing is a concern but stepping up in distance should suit. Dr Eggman disappointed on his last two starts but he is better judged on last season's earlier form and could prove the main threat. Last Kingdom may be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Youlita 2nd Dr Eggman 3rd Last Kingdom

DUFFYS HODEY has progressed really well this season and can defy his latest 8lb hike to complete a hat-trick. Largely disappointing prior to this season, the selection has performed consistently well in recent months and comfortably won a higher-rated handicap here earlier this month. Four-time winning pointer Prophet's Corner has been running well in recent maiden hurdles and is interesting on his first handicap start, over a suitable distance. I Ballyadam Moon was placed in three point-to-points and ran well when second in maiden at Fairyhouse last month. Misty Milan was soundly beaten when well backed at Clonmel last month.
Prediction : 1st Duffys Hodey 2nd Prophets Corner 3rd I Ballyadam Moon

GAMEOFINCHES oozed class when winning a point-to-point in November and has since joined top connections. Related to Valiramix, the selection is a huge horse who has clearly taken time to develop and that Dromahane form has been boosted by the well-beaten runner-up and third both scoring subsequently. Begorra Man showed promise when finishing fifth in a hot Leopardstown maiden hurdle over Christmas. He, too, should progress and could indeed be more suited to bumpers than the selection. Beckistine was an unlucky final-flight faller at Limerick last month and while he has proven ability, may be vulnerable to smart types. Cosmos D'ainay faces a tougher task than when winning a Damma House point-to-point in December.
Prediction : 1st Gameofinches 2nd Begorra Man 3rd Beckistine