UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

VITORIO PIEL looked a smart prospect when making all on debut in a 20-runner bumper at the Festival meeting here in May. That form appears solid as his rivals were well strung out behind and the race has thrown up a number of winners. Gameball easily won a Ballinrobe bumper for Andy Slattery this summer and looks an exciting gelding for new connections, while point-to-point winner Kovanis made a successful start under Rules at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Minella Hollow was a dual bumper winner last year and has the benefit of a run over hurdles at Navan last month, while O'Reilly has been placed twice recently over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Vitorio Piel 2nd Gameball 3rd Kovanis

A LAW OF HER OWN may record a fourth win under Rules. She probably found 2m4f a bit too far at Listowel last time but a reproduction of her previous sixth behind Come On The Lads at the Galway Festival should see her go close. Galileo Springs was placed a number of times in bumpers last season and now tackles handicap company for the first time after comfortably landing a Killarney maiden hurdle earlier this month. Flidais showed improved form last time when scoring over 2m7f at Tipperary, while John Ryan is also represented by Andyourbirdcansing, who was still in contention when falling at the last over fences at Galway last week.
Prediction : 1st A Law Of Her Own 2nd Galileo Springs 3rd Flidais

AVALO won a Wexford maiden in good style back in May and has been a model of consistency since. The selection has been placed on his latest four starts including when beating all bar favourite Shadow Paddy over this trip at Listowel. Ballycashin went close over this trip at Clonmel back in June and looks a serious threat after finishing well when narrowly denied over 2m2f at Listowel last time. Serienmond weakened in the closing stages when reappearing after a summer break at Listowel, while Tramore maiden winner Captain Ryan Matt is an interesting recruit to handicaps.
Prediction : 1st Avalo 2nd Ballycashin 3rd Serienmond

KING OF KINGSFIELD looks to have decent claims of winning for the third time over fences. A smart hurdler, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding won his first two starts over fences this season. Although beaten at Roscommon on his last run, this looks an easier assignment. Stepping up an additional two furlongs in trip could easily see the former point-to-point winner improve on what he has done to date. Birdie Or Bust has yet to reach the same heights over fences that she did as a hurdler. However, the Henry De Bromhead-trained mare showed a bit more when winning at Listowel last month. Blaze The Way has to step up on what he has shown thus far but shouldn't be discounted.
Prediction : 1st King Of Kingsfield 2nd Birdie Or Bust 3rd Blaze The Way

With an official rating of 160 and receiving weight from his main danger, HEART WOOD should take the beating. A winner of a Listed race at Wexford on his return last October, the Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding clearly runs well fresh. His narrow defeat in the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase and, runner-up position in the Ryanair Chase, set a very high standard in the context of this race. Galway Plate winner Western Fold has to be respected in his bid for a five-timer. Lightly raced over fences, the Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old has leading claims but won't find the concession of 8lb an easy task. Stablemate Croke Park is also not without his chance in a competitive affair.
Prediction : 1st Heart Wood 2nd Western Fold 3rd Croke Park

Off the mark on his penultimate start at Wexford, HIT THE FRAME can regain the winning thread. The John Flavin-trained gelding made all on that occasion, staying on strongly once challenged approaching two out. Although unable to follow up at Killarney last time, the six-year-old ran a solid race to finish fourth. If getting into a nice jumping rhythm here, he should be hard to pass. An improver over hurdles since his last run in a chase, the Tony Martin-trained Aurea Fortuna holds every chance. Having finished second over flights here in December, he obviously handles the track. Sligo third He Fitz In looks best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Hit The Frame 2nd Aurea Fortuna 3rd He Fitz In

Narrowly denied on his sole point-to-point outing, MAVERICK MACK can make a winning Rules debut. Having his first start for Gordon Elliott, the four-year-old Pillar Coral gelding is sure to be well prepared for this introduction. It will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market for a yard that tend to do well with their bumper runners. Famous Figure was disappointing at Ballinrobe last month but would be a serious contender on the form of his eighth placed finish at the festival here in April. Takiwatanga, who finished third in that aforementioned Ballinrobe race, has to be respected on his second start for Emmet Mullins.
Prediction : 1st Maverick Mack 2nd Famous Figure 3rd Takiwatanga