UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

FRALIMONTI BILBERY comes here in good form and has experience over the 'banks' in point-to-points. He won a winners' event in January before two runner-up efforts against decent sorts, most notably chasing home Vital Island at Lingstown on his penultimate point outing. Last year's winner Knockiel Synge was 10 lengths behind the selection that day and has to carry a penalty in this. Course form is always a big plus, though, and he has to be respected. Cloudy Tuesday comes into calculations as well.
Prediction : 1st Fralimonti Bilbery 2nd Knockiel Synge 3rd Cloudy Tuesday

STAY IF U WANT TO won nicely at Kelso last time and gets the vote in a wide-open looking affair. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding looks progressive and could still be on a nice mark off 116. Rocheval finished second to the selection that day before falling when in front at the same course the following month. He's entitled to get closer now at the revised terms. Luminous Light comes here on a hat-trick and is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Stay If U Want To 2nd Rocheval 3rd Luminous Light

SERIENMOND may be worth a shot here despite being a few pounds out of the handicap. The Sea The Moon gelding was a cosy winner on his first outing for Gavin Cromwell and got going a bit late after meeting some traffic when third on his most recent outing at Fairyhouse. Ascending Lark comes here having won five on the bounce and was a cosy winner at Ludlow last time. She could still be on a competitive mark. Willie Mullins has a good record in this race and top-weight Gaucher is another who commands respect.
Prediction : 1st Serienmond 2nd Ascending Lark 3rd Gaucher

Willie Mullins saddles four of the six runners and KOPEK DES BORDES is very hard to oppose. The No Risk At All gelding comes here with an unbeaten record and has already struck at the top level twice this season. He survived a mistake at the last to win the Supreme at Cheltenham last month and can complete his Grade 1 hat-trick. Stablemate Salvator Mundi was behind him in fifth at Cheltenham but improved to win impressively at Aintree. He's the obvious danger, ahead of Fairyhouse Grade 2 winner Irancy.
Prediction : 1st Kopek Des Bordes 2nd Salvator Mundi 3rd Irancy

BALLYBURN didn't give his true showing at Cheltenham but may be able to bounce back now. He looked like he wanted this kind of trip when scoring at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival and is worth another shot. Stablemate Lecky Watson was good at Cheltenham and is the one to beat on that evidence. He jumps well and three miles brought out the best in him on that occasion. Another strong candidate for Willie Mullins is Impaire Et Passe, who steps up in trip after a fine performance at Aintree.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Lecky Watson 3rd Impaire Et Passe

LEADER DES BORDES is a fascinating runner for Willie Mullins and Gigginstown. He made 210,000 euros as a store and the fact that Patrick Mullins takes the mount would suggest he's the pick of the yard's quartet. Santo Sospir is already a bumper winner, having got up late on to score here in February. He looked like he would improve from that experience and is entitled to be a big player. There are also three point-to-point winners in the field and Barry O'Neill's booking for Green Style catches the eye.
Prediction : 1st Leader Des Bordes 2nd Santo Sospir 3rd Green Style

It was slightly surprising to see this as the target for FACT TO FILE, but Willie Mullins obviously feels the Poliglote gelding can operate over the minimum trip. The eight-year-old travels strongly in his races and is a slick jumper. After a highly-impressive win in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month, he can add another feather to his cap. The Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale will take a bit of beating though. Barry Connell's charge was just edging things when left clear at the last at Cheltenham and was a deserved winner. Solness looks the likely front-runner and could make it a good test.
Prediction : 1st Fact To File 2nd Marine Nationale 3rd El Fabiolo

STARTING FIFTEEN made a very promising start when runner-up in a Listed bumper at Limerick last month and could take a bit of beating now. The City Light gelding chased home a smart sort that day and with the benefit of that experience, he can go one better. Eagle Of Destiny was a touch unlucky on his debut when runner-up at Thurles last month and is another who could come forward from his initial effort. Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking for the Gordon Elliott-trained newcomer Coutach.
Prediction : 1st Starting Fifteen 2nd Eagle Of Destiny 3rd Coutach