UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

VANILLIER may be able to make a winning return. Gavin Cromwell's charge was impressive when scoring over this course back in February and went on to run well for third at Cheltenham. He finished the season on a bit of a low note, but is a smart horse at his best and coming here fresh could suit. Busselton won the La Touche Cup at the Festival here and has to be respected. He's had a couple of recent spins over hurdles so arrives fit. Desertmore House, who lost out by three-parts of a length in the La Touche, is another to consider. He also has the benefit of a run having won a point-to-point three weeks ago.
Prediction : 1st Vanillier 2nd Busselton 3rd Desertmore House

Grade 2 bumper winner GREEN SPLENDOUR can make a successful start over timber. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was impressive at Aintree in early April and looks a nice prospect for novice hurdles this season. He Can't Dance was placed in a Grade 2 bumper, but needs to improve from his hurdling debut when well beaten at Galway last month. Gordon Elliott's runners have been coming on for their initial runs, though. Champagne Kid has plenty of solid placed form and should reach the frame again. He sets the standard with his mark of 118, but it would be disappointing if Green Splendour didn't prove considerably better than that level.
Prediction : 1st Green Splendour 2nd He Cant Dance 3rd Champagne Kid

JOUEUR MASQUE was an impressive winner on his last visit here in June and this is a nice stepping stone for him on his return. The Masked Marvel gelding had shaped with promise in a couple of strong maiden hurdles prior to his easy success and he remains a novice for this season. County Final also carries the JP McManus colours and was an impressive winner when taking his maiden hurdle at Navan in September. He looks like the owner's second choice here. Cappa Hill is on a hat-trick, but looks to be facing a better calibre of rival now.
Prediction : 1st Joueur Masque 2nd County Final 3rd Cappa Hill

FEET OF A DANCER is top-rated over hurdles and can make a winning return. The Authorized mare didn't win during her last campaign but ran some cracking races in defeat, including on her final two outings. She was a fine fourth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and finished with a placed effort in Grade 2 company at Fairyhouse. She may prefer a bit further, but can operate over this trip. Fun Fun Fun looks like an obvious danger. She was three from four over fences last season, including claiming a Grade 3 and Listed success. She may also be suited by further. The Great Nudie is a potential front-runner and could be dangerous if given an easy lead.
Prediction : 1st Feet Of A Dancer 2nd Fun Fun Fun 3rd The Great Nudie

The progressive CUSTOM TAYLOR was an impressive winner on his return at Gowran Park early last month and may still be a step ahead of the handicapper. The Malinas gelding got a 9lb hike for his easy nine-and-a-half length victory, but that may not be enough to stop him from going in again. Millstream Lady is another coming here in good form and could be the danger. She beat a smart mare in World Of Fortunes at Limerick and Calum Hogan takes a useful 7lb off her back. Top-weight Staffordshire Knot ran well when third in the Brown Lad at Naas and is another who has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Custom Taylor 2nd Millstream Lady 3rd Staffordshire Knot

Placed several times at Graded level over hurdles, FLEUR IN THE PARK has made a good start to his chasing career and got off the mark in taking style when dropping back to this trip at Wexford. Although not short of stamina, connections feel that his slick jumping can be utilised to best effect over two miles and that theory will be tested to a greater extent as he steps up in class here. Prominent racer Westport Cove has a considerable edge in chasing experience over the selection and his Grade 3 victory at Roscommon is solid form which has been franked by the placed horses. Second at Cheltenham last month, Relieved Of Duties is not one to discount.
Prediction : 1st Fleur In The Park 2nd Westport Cove 3rd Relieved Of Duties

FACT TO FILE had 2023 winner Fastorslow back in fourth when winning a strong renewal of this a year ago and is taken to make a successful start to his third season over fences. A brilliant winner of the Ryanair in March, he didn't give his running when tried over two miles here the following month but it generally pays to be forgiving of horses who disappoint at that end-of-season festival. By contrast, Gaelic Warrior finished last term on a high when stepped up in trip and he has a good record at right-handed tracks, including this one. Brought along steadily before peaking spectacularly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Inothewayurthinkin looks opposable on his reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Fact To File 2nd Fastorslow 3rd Gaelic Warrior

IT'S ONLY A GAME was well found in the market when second in a 20-runner bumper at the festival meeting here in May. Martin Brassil now fits a tongue-tie to the French-bred four-year-old, who is taken to go one place better. Treasure Memory was unfancied when second in a decent maiden hurdle at Galway and merits respect on his first bumper outing. Boycetown and Speculateur have shown ability in point-to-points and represent powerful yards, while Willie Mullins' debutant Drombane is out of a mare who was smart on the Flat and over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Its Only A Game 2nd Speculateur 3rd Drombane