UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

MADNESS D'ELLE brings strong Auteuil form for his Irish debut and is likely to be a smart performer. Placed third over hurdles on soft ground last May, that race's winner was subsequently Grade 1-placed and the selection now debuts for top connections at an encouraging time of year. His stablemate Mino Des Mottes won a French AQPS bumper last summer but although he showed ability here on New Year's Eve, he is vulnerable to smart types. Deep Water Bay ran nicely on his recent hurdling debut, but is likely to be more at home on better ground.
Prediction : 1st Madness Delle 2nd Mino Des Mottes 3rd Deep Water Bay

ZUZUKEL was narrowly beaten here in November and has obvious claims. Although a 13-race maiden, the son of Frankel showed some promise on the Flat and produced a much improved jumps performance on his latest start. He is 4lb higher, but his rider claims 4lb. Be Fierce hasn't run since a disappointing chase effort in August, but he has winning hurdles form and is suited by heavy ground. He is rated 7lb higher over fences and should compete on his reappearance. Jumble Light offered more encouragement at Navan last month, while Where Are You Now is open to plenty of progression and debuts in handicaps.
Prediction : 1st Zuzukel 2nd Be Fierce 3rd Jumble Light

It was disappointing that Champion Bumper winner BAMBINO FEVER went under on her hurdling debut, but she remains a fine prospect for jumps. Undefeated in four bumpers, including twice at Grade 1 level, she may have needed the run when beaten by smart performer Oldschool Outlaw at Naas, with the third scoring next time. Willie Mullins also saddles Poetisa, who was bought for 300,000 pounds following her debut bumper win at Cheltenham last April but although she could be smart, she debuts over jumps against the race-fit selection. Bumper winners Forceonmyown and Susie Lenglen were each well enough held in recent maidens.
Prediction : 1st Bambino Fever 2nd Poetisa 3rd Forceonmyown

SEAN MC was runner-up to a subsequent winner on just his second handicap start last month and can win from his revised rating. Out of a half-sister to his trainer's high-class Accordion Etoile, the selection's form was initially poor but he showed improvement at Fairyhouse, where he was the subject of a morning gamble. He is 3lb higher but is suited by conditions. Kinturk Nelson is a lightly-raced seven-year-old who ran reasonably well on his handicap debut at Fairyhouse, while Sarandon offered some encouragement on her handicap bow at Cork and steps up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Sean Mc 2nd Kinturk Nelson 3rd Sarandon

KIMI DE MAI won three bumpers in her native France and can now build on some useful hurdling form. Her smart French form was all on testing ground and having run well on her hurdling debut last January, she was subsequently well held at the Cheltenham Festival. Last month's reappearance run was a useful effort in a hot maiden as the Champion Bumper winner finished second, while the third scored last week, and this won't be quite as competitive. Lord Tobin has ability and although beaten 22 lengths on his hurdling debut at Navan, the first two horses are smart performers. Bergamasquo disappointed at Naas, but showed better form previously.
Prediction : 1st Kimi De Mai 2nd Lord Tobin 3rd Bergamasquo

The well-bred EMPIRE WALK had shown ordinary form prior to an encouraging run last month. Out of an unraced half-sister to Grand National hero Many Clouds and Grade 1 winner The Tullow Tank, the five-year-old was beaten eight lengths in an ordinary maiden at Naas, but shaped with promise and should be able to score from this sort of figure. Folly Master has a higher chase rating and is well suited by a test of stamina. He had a pipe-opener in a November point-to-point and should compete, despite carrying top weight. Westernersunrise had a nice reappearance at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Empire Walk 2nd Folly Master 3rd Westernersunrise

FASTNET CRYSTAL was heavily supported on her debut but just failed to reward favourite backers. Having been ridden from off the pace she couldn't reel in the winner, though she is likely to have learned plenty and is expected to take the necessary step forward. Simply Natural has been beaten in three bumpers but her most recent Naas effort was extremely promising. Seven-year-old How's Hannah won a point-to-point in March following a lengthy absence and while she debuts for top connections, she might prove vulnerable.
Prediction : 1st Fastnet Crystal 2nd Simply Natural 3rd Hows Hannah