UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

CHEMICAL ENERGY held every chance approaching the last in Cheltenham's cross-country event before fading on the run-in. That was his best effort since his third in the Munster National at Limerick and the return to 3m, combined with drying ground, is fancied to help the nine-year-old back to winning ways. Conflated and Coko Beach were both pulled up in the Grand National, but they will find this a much easier assignment and help give Gordon Elliott a particularly strong hand, especially if those who contested the La Touche on Thursday aren't turned out quickly.
Prediction : 1st Chemical Energy 2nd Conflated 3rd Coko Beach

HASTHING has failed to complete in his last two starts but has had a productive season. He has been gradually upped in distance this term and while yet to win beyond 2m6f, was running well before falling in Cheltenham's National Hunt Chase in March. He held just place-prospects then but the winner notably landed the subsequent Irish National. Answer To Kayf was well beaten at Cheltenham and while his form is mostly on testing ground, finished second on good-to-yielding at last year's festival and today's distance could bring about plenty of improvement. Herakles Westwood finished seventh behind the selection at Cheltenham and stays well, while The Short Go likes good ground but will need to jump better than he did in the Ultima.
Prediction : 1st Hasthing 2nd Answer To Kayf 3rd Herakles Westwood

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD failed to live up to expectations in the Champion Hurdle but that appeared too bad to be true and she is expected to bounce back. Gordon Elliott's mare routed her rivals at Leopardstown last Christmas and anything near that kind of performance will suffice. Jade De Grugy was no match for Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle but may be the one to take advantage if the selection doesn't run to her best. July Flower ran satisfactorily at Cheltenham and is better judged on her Leopardstown success at Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd Jade De Grugy 3rd July Flower

The lightly-raced MAJESTIC FORCE seems fairly treated on handicap chase debut. A staying chaser-type, she was beaten just a half-length by Grade 1 winner Spindleberry last December before scoring quite readily at Wexford in March and further improvement appears likely. Stablemate Amirite notably finished ahead of Wednesday's winner James Du Berlais in the Topham at Aintree and being well suited by good ground, should also be competitive. Canal End is 9lb higher than when winning at Navan but would prefer easier ground, while Battle It Out is 7lb higher than at Fairyhouse, despite a bad mistake at the final fence.
Prediction : 1st Majestic Force 2nd Amirite 3rd Canal End

There didn't look to be any fluke about the way that PONIROS won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Golden Horn gelding appears to have a serious engine. He stayed on powerfully up the hill to prevail by a neck from Lulamba, making a stunning start over hurdles. He can only improve from that experience and is taken to confirm the form. Lulamba was making his fourth start over jumps at Cheltenham and did little wrong. He met some traffic after the second-last, but it didn't look to have any bearing on the result. Murcia was impressive when winning the Grade 1 at Aintree and that was an improved effort. She also has to enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Poniros 2nd Lulamba 3rd Murcia

HEY SUNSHINE is interesting here back in a handicap. Testing conditions wouldn't have suited when she was pitched into Grade 1 company at Fairyhouse last time and she remains unexposed. The Shantou mare had rattled off a hat-trick on better ground previously and could still have a bit up her sleeve off a mark of 130. Aintree winner Wellington Arch looks a leading contender. He held off Kopeck De Mee in a good finish in Liverpool and, despite a 7lb rise, should still be competitive. Impose Toi, who was fourth in that Aintree race, is another to consider on the revised terms.
Prediction : 1st Hey Sunshine 2nd Wellington Arch 3rd Impose Toi

Connections have had to be patient with QUANTUM BOY, who appears for Willie Mullins now having been a very impressive point-to-point winner back in November 2023. The Diamond Boy gelding was snapped up by JP McManus after his 40-length win at Damma House and is a fascinating runner on his racecourse bow. English point-to-point winner Panjandrum makes his first start for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown. He cost 95,000 pounds after scoring at Chaddesley Corbett in December. Lucinda Russell introduces an interesting newcomer in Biglesisback. The Walk In The Park mare carries the colours of Kenny Alexander and is a half-sister to his Cheltenham winner Doddiethegreat.
Prediction : 1st Quantum Boy 2nd Panjandrum 3rd Biglesisback

JUNGLE COVE has run in a few similar events and sets the standard with his Flat mark of 84. He was last seen in winning form at Laytown last September and was second in this a couple of years ago. Dark Note is a solid performer and looks nicely weighted. Henry de Bromhead won this last year with Somptueux and Chutzpal looks like another for the shortlist, despite having to give all of his rivals weight.
Prediction : 1st Jungle Cove 2nd Dark Note 3rd Chutzpal