UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

SMALL TOWN HERO can make it five from five since joining trainer Ian Donoghue. A former point-to-point winner, the son of Jet Away has scored three times over hurdles, as well as opening his account over fences last time. Despite a subsequent 16lb rise, the five-year-old remains 7lb below his hurdles mark. Western Model rates the biggest threat having finished runner-up in a stronger contest at Fairyhouse last month. Course winner Duffys Hodey is a definite contender too.
Prediction : 1st Small Town Hero 2nd Western Model 3rd Duffys Hodey

It could pay to take a chance on DONT TELL JACK on his first start for Enda Bolger. A former point-to-point runner-up, the five-year-old shaped with plenty of promise in maiden hurdles against some of the better novices last season. Although very disappointing when sent off a short price for a Listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on his final start of the campaign, that was almost certainly not his true running. He wouldn't be the first horse to recapture his best following a switch to the County Limerick trainer. Already a winner over fences, Luminous Light has to be respected, along with Coral River.
Prediction : 1st Dont Tell Jack 2nd Luminous Light 3rd Coral River

Sent off favourite when sixth in a similar race at Cork last month, INFINITY SUCCES can recover losses. Having shown promise before running green in the latter stages of that contest, it is interesting that trainer Declan Queally has elected to fit the daughter of Latrobe with first-time blinkers here. If that headgear works the oracle, it would be no surprise to see the filly win a race like this. A half-sister to black-type horses both on the Flat and over hurdles, newcomer Ritz Plan looks a filly to note. It will be interesting to see if there is any market support, while Highland Crystal is another debutant to consider.
Prediction : 1st Infinity Succes 2nd Ritz Plan 3rd Highland Crystal

A 98-rated filly on the Flat, IN MY TEENS looks an exciting recruit to jumping. A maiden winner on the level at Down Royal in June, the Gavin Cromwell-trained daughter of Camelot was subsequently runner-up in two above-average contests. Connections have wasted little time in making the switch to hurdling, something that suggests the filly may well have impressed in her schooling. French bumper winner Mode Avion is the obvious alternative. While the form of that race has yet to be tested, the Taj Mahal gelding could do no more than win and is in the right hands to progress. In The Minus carries a penalty for his Galway success but is still a major contender.
Prediction : 1st In My Teens 2nd Mode Avion 3rd In The Minus

Dual bumper winner COLCANNON looks the horse to beat on his hurdling debut. A Grade 2 winner at Leopardstown in February, the Noel Meade-trained gelding ended his campaign with a highly creditable third in the Grade 1 bumper at the Festival here. A horse who has run well fresh in the past, he is sure to be well schooled. Koktail Brut, who was fourth behind the selection in the aforementioned Leopardstown bumper, looks the danger. A point-to-point winner, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has already proven he can jump. Limerick fourth Splendid Fellow is a dark horse who shouldn't be discounted, despite taking on a couple of smart rivals.
Prediction : 1st Colcannon 2nd Koktail Brut 3rd Splendid Fellow

Although clearly a better chaser, DONT GO YET is difficult to ignore off this mark. Rated 19lb lower over flights, the Edward Cawley-trained veteran has twice finished runner-up in this code and almost certainly has a race in him. Last seen when taking minor honours in a Listed handicap chase at the Festival here in May, the 11-year-old is worth chancing. Zuzukel has yet to reach the frame in 12 starts, but gives the impression that he is capable of better. A strong traveller who doesn't always find as much as expected, he is likely to be held up for a late run. Gone For Tea has to be respected on stable debut.
Prediction : 1st Dont Go Yet 2nd Zuzukel 3rd Gone For Tea

With a valid excuse for his odds-on defeat here on his hurdling debut, VITORIO PIEL can make amends. A bumper winner at this track on his introduction back in May, the Emmet Mullins-trained gelding was sent off a strong favourite on his return, but failed to give his running having been struck into. This looks a nice opportunity for the son of Spanish Moon to register a first victory over hurdles. Following a promising stable debut in a good maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, Yeshil is entitled to be very competitive. Campbell Black has shaped well enough in two starts to date to be competitive now.
Prediction : 1st Vitorio Piel 2nd Yeshil 3rd Campbell Black

SPANISH JOHN looks to have decent claims for trainer Pat Fahy. Twice successful on the Flat this year, the seven-year-old appears well treated back over flights relative to that mark. Having landed his sole previous victory over hurdles off an identical rating, he has plenty in his favour and with Harry Sexton claiming 7lb, it is difficult to see him not playing a leading role. Aswellasabentley has to be respected on what is only his third run for Gavin Cromwell, and stepping back up in trip should suit. Welcome Aboard, who finished third here on his handicap debut, is entitled to be all the better for that experience.
Prediction : 1st Spanish John 2nd Aswellasabentley 3rd Welcome Aboard