UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Recent impressive Tramore winner FAIRYLAND OPERA could prove leniently treated off 114. Despite easily opening her account over hurdles, the Lorna Fowler-trained mare was left on the same mark for that maiden success. Back in handicap company, the six-year-old can exploit that favourable rating. Runner-up on her previous start at Navan, the daughter of Elusive Pimpernel has plenty of experience. A fast-run race, where she can be delivered late from off the pace, should really suit. Thanksforthehelp was third in this race a few years back when sent off market leader. Representing the sponsors, he is sure to have had a repeat bid in mind for some time. Ballysax Hank also catches the eye off a lower hurdles mark.
Prediction : 1st Fairyland Opera 2nd Thanksforthehelp 3rd Ballysax Hank

The lightly-raced DOWNMEXICOWAY can take this for the Henry De Bromhead yard. A former point-to-point winner, the six-year-old finished runner-up on his first two runs over hurdles before opening his account at Down Royal in December. Although well beaten in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse earlier this month, he was entitled to need the outing and stepping up in trip for the first time under Rules should see him in a better light. Thurles winner Millforce rates the main threat. Gavin Cromwell's son of Workforce is a proven stayer who should have no difficulties dropping back in distance. Despite a very disappointing effort last time, Scalpnagoon cannot be left out of calculations.
Prediction : 1st Downmexicoway 2nd Millforce 3rd Scalpnagoon

The Willie Mullins-trained KAID D'AUTHIE is given a chance to atone for a lacklustre effort at Cheltenham. Previously a respectable fourth in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival, the French-bred gelding had won his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Having skipped Aintree, the five-year-old should be a relatively fresh horse coming into this contest and his prominent racing style will prove well suited to this sharp track. Stablemate Got Glory has failed to complete in three starts this campaign, but she was runner-up at this meeting last year and perhaps a return to Punchestown will see her show more of her old sparkle. Blue Mosque needs to step up, but she is an experienced hurdler who shouldn't be ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Kaid Dauthie 2nd Got Glory 3rd Blue Mosque

The Gordon Elliott-trained HONESTY POLICY is taken to follow up his Grade 1 win at Aintree. A winner of three of his four career runs over flights, the five-year-old was bought by JP McManus prior to that recent success. With the speed to win over the minimum trip and the stamina to finish runner-up in a point-to-point, he looks to have it all. While this is arguably his stiffest test to date, the son of Jukebox Jury should be up to the task. Cheltenham winner Jasmin De Vaux hadn't convinced with his jumping prior to that commanding success. Provided he puts in an error-free round again, he has to go close. Unbeaten hurdler Jarrive De Mee also merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Honesty Policy 2nd Jasmin De Vaux 3rd Jarrive De Mee

BAMBINO FEVER bids to follow up recent heroics and holds three of today's rivals on previous form. A point-to-point winner, her bumper form is top-class and after beating Switch From Diesel at the Dublin Racing Festival, she raced wide when scoring at Cheltenham. She is ground-versatile, consistent and can confirm her Cheltenham superiority over stablemate Copacabana (10th) and Kalypso'chance (11th, having started favourite). Patrick Mullins again rides Copacabana but although he defeated two subsequent winners on debut and also raced wide at Cheltenham, he has 10 lengths to find with the selection. The keen-going Colcannon defeated the subsequent Cheltenham seventh- and eighth-placed horses at Leopardstown and is capable of getting involved.
Prediction : 1st Bambino Fever 2nd Copacabana 3rd Colcannon

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has finished second in the last two renewals of this race and while he hasn't displayed his best form at Punchestown, he continues to produce consistently high-class performances and finished second in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Beaten four times from six course runs, he nonetheless performed with great credit in each of those defeats and while beaten by Spillane's Tower in November, is better suited by this longer distance. Spillane's Tower disappointed in the King George over Christmas and although he remains unexposed and is a fresher horse, he might struggle against chasing's 'Mr Dependable'. Banbridge won the King George but, along with Monty's Star, is held by the selection on Cheltenham form.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Spillanes Tower 3rd Banbridge

JAMES DU BERLAIS has won just once since October 2020, but has run many good races in defeat and has useful recent form. Placed twice at Grade 1 level from three course runs, he fell when fancied for last year's race. He has run well in the last two renewals of Aintree's Topham Chase, drops slightly in grade here, and should compete. Lets Go Champ is 8lb higher than when winning this last year, while runner-up Must Be Obeyed is much better off at the weights and has a useful course record but was well beaten just eight days ago. Lightkeeper steps up in grade, while Blue Lord tries cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st James Du Berlais 2nd Lets Go Champ 3rd Must Be Obeyed

CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE is very dependable and has run well in some smart bumpers. A dual winner, she was beaten 13 lengths by subsequent Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever in February and again ran well in a recent Listed bumper - where the smart Switch From Diesel turned previous form around to beat her. Future Prospect disappointed in that February race but was just a nose behind the selection 24 days ago, so little separates the pair. The well-bred Seo Linn is a half-sister to an Italian Derby runner-up and has scored at Listed and Grade 2 level in England this season. Beaten into fourth in a Gowran Listed bumper in October, she reverts to tackling some of the better Irish-based mares here.
Prediction : 1st Carrigmoornaspruce 2nd Future Prospect 3rd Seo Linn