UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

This looks a golden opportunity for SPANISH HARLEM. While yet to win over fences, the chestnut seven-year-old is a battle-hardened handicapper and was an excellent fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April. Off a mark of 139 and with Sean Cleary-Farrell claiming 7lb, the Willie Mullins-trained French bred is difficult to oppose. Successful on his debut over the larger obstacles at Down Royal last month, Baltic Bird is an obvious danger, while No Time To Wait (first-time cheekpieces) is another that warrants respect. Minella Sergeant and Ballinrea complete the line-up and both are likely to struggle.
Prediction : 1st Spanish Harlem 2nd Baltic Bird 3rd No Time To Wait

The subject of good market support over C&D last month, LISNAGAR FORTUNE was ultimately let down by his jumping. Making numerous errors on his way around, the Soldier Of Fortune seven-year-old still did very well to finish a never-nearer third. Already twice a winner at this venue, the 127-rated bay should prove hard to beat if getting his jumping in order. A Grade 2 winner when in the care of Harry Fry, it'll be interesting to see how In Excelsis Deo fares on his debut for Enda Bolger, while handicap debutant Antrim Coast and six-time winner Grange Walk are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lisnagar Fortune 2nd In Excelsis Deo 3rd Antrim Coast

The 92-rated ROSE BOUM is the suggestion in this competitive affair. With Hannah Phillips claiming 7lb, the Paul Nolan-trained five-year-old will carry a featherweight. Second and beaten by just a length-and-a-quarter when last seen at Wexford, she encouragingly drew 25 lengths clear of the third. Already twice successful from four track starts, top-weight Locked Box is an obvious danger with Georgie Benson aboard, while it'll be interesting to see how Tullyveery Lad fares on his return from a break. In truth, a case can be made for many others, with Downpatrick winner Queenofthelodge, the Jody Townend-ridden Your Honour and Des McDonogh's In For The Night, all sure to have plenty of supporters.
Prediction : 1st Rose Boum 2nd Locked Box 3rd Tullyveery Lad

KEEP UP could make a winning transition to hurdling. She was a comfortable winner of a bumper at Roscommon last summer and then was deemed good enough to contest a Listed mares' bumper at Gowran Park in which she finished fifth. Willie Mullins and jockey Sean Cleary-Farrell teamed up to land this race last year. Gordon Elliott runs two horses with Fillusin reappearing after a campaign that saw her placed in four maiden hurdles, while newcomer Milesfromthehonk is a full-sister to a double winner over fences. Regards To Rose has been placed in her last two maiden hurdles and is race fit, so has stronger claims than most of her rivals. Point-to-point winner Kilrush Lady is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Keep Up 2nd Fillusin 3rd Milesfromthehonk

This step up in trip may see JOLI TRAVAIL to better effect after keeping on at one pace for third over an extended 2m4f in Killarney. Anna McGuinness is getting opportunities for Willie Mullins and rode a winner for the stable at Kilbeggan last weekend. Gordon Elliott's Jazz De Cotte is also up in trip, but has a bit more experience and cheekpieces are tried after a runner-up berth in Downpatrick. His stablemate William Butler has had the benefit of racing over a longer trip when fifth at Limerick and third in Tipperary, so should have a role to play. Sporting Glance and Mister Frostie aren't out of contention, while Ludovico Sforza is a point-to-point winner to note.
Prediction : 1st Joli Travail 2nd Jazz De Cotte 3rd William Butler

Dual course winner LONDONOFFICECALLIN stayed on strongly to the line at Ballinrobe last time and looks capable of striking back here, despite a 2lb rise. He didn't get the clearest run around and was doing his best work late on. Westernersunrise has had a little break since winning well at Fairyhouse back in February. A 6lb rise doesn't look harsh, but she may appreciate some rain. Howdoyalikeherhome has been running consistently well and is another who has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Londonofficecallin 2nd Westernersunrise 3rd Howdoyalikeherhome

LUKER'S TIPPLE sets a good standard here off 122 and should prove the one to beat. On his last run over timber he finished mid-division in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham and ran a big race on the level at Bellewstown on his last outing when losing out by a neck to one of today's rivals Mick Collins. The latter was beaten favourite on his hurdling debut at Cork last month but it wasn't a bad run to finish fifth and he's entitled to improve a bit from the experience. Watching The Clock ran a nice race on her debut when third in Tipperary and, with that run under her belt, she could be a big player now.
Prediction : 1st Lukers Tipple 2nd Mick Collins 3rd Watching The Clock

The form of ZANOOSH's win at Fairyhouse has worked out well and she gets the vote in a competitive-looking contest. The Harzand mare improved on previous form when beating Hello Jean in good style in April and the runner-up went on to score subsequently. The sixth horse has also won since. Atomic Queen is another who showed significant improvement at Limerick 10 days ago when running out a stylish winner. She could be a danger now. Amboyna had some strong bumper form last season, including a wide-margin win at Tramore, and is another that has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Zanoosh 2nd Atomic Queen 3rd Amboyna