UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Despite having something to prove at this stage, WILLITGOAHEAD looks a class apart here. Third at the Cheltenham Festival last year, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has failed to reach those heights this term. However, the eight-year-old shaped with enough promise when second at Down Royal in December to suggest he should be good enough to land a race of this nature. He needs to bounce back from two subsequent disappointments, but is capable of doing so. Fountain House was well behind in that Down Royal contest, but has won his last three point-to-points. Ian McCarthy's charge looks a leading contender now. Keep On Dreaming has to be respected given his connections.
Prediction : 1st Willitgoahead 2nd Fountain House 3rd Keep On Dreaming

Runner-up in this race last year, ALMUHIT is likely to have been laid out for a repeat bid. Making his stable debut on that occasion, the Faye Bramley-trained gelding flashed home late to take minor honours. Well handicapped relative to his rating on the Flat, the seven-year-old appears to have more scope for improvement this term and the booking of Harry Cobden certainly catches the eye. A dual winner at this track, Powerful was eighth in a stronger race at Fairyhouse recently. Although quick ground would be a slight concern, he looks a leading player. Laughing John, who beat Almuhit at Wincanton in February, also holds strong claims for the raiding party.
Prediction : 1st Almuhit 2nd Powerful 3rd Laughing John

With the ground coming in her favour, MURCIA has every chance of gaining a first victory of the campaign. A Grade 1 winner at Aintree last season, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old has run with credit in a number of big handicaps this term. Down the field in the County Hurdle on her penultimate start, the daughter of Doctor Dino ran a big race when fifth at Fairyhouse last time. Imperial Cup third We're Red And Blue is another proven performer in these big fields. Runner-up at Haydock recently, he should again be involved. Jet To Monte Carlo, an impressive winner at Fairyhouse, commands maximum respect, despite a 9lb rise.
Prediction : 1st Murcia 2nd Were Red And Blue 3rd Jet To Monte Carlo

Supreme Novices' Hurdle fifth EL CAIROS can record a first win at the highest level. A smart bumper horse last season, the No Risk At All gelding was an unlucky loser when falling at the final flight on his stable/hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. Off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Thurles subsequently, he was far from disgraced when doing best of the Irish raiding party in the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser. Leopardstown Grade 1 winner Skylight Hustle can be forgiven a below-par effort at Cheltenham given that he ran too free, and dropping back in trip should suit. Smart Flat horse Sober also deserves another chance after a poor Festival run.
Prediction : 1st El Cairos 2nd Skylight Hustle 3rd Sober

Brown Advisory winner KITZBUHEL can double up here for Willie Mullins. A Grade 1 winner at Kempton over Christmas, the five-year-old may appreciate going back right-handed after his Cheltenham Festival victory. While he undoubtedly had to pull out all the stops to beat a stablemate last month, he should go well if over those exertions. Fleur In The Park was an outsider when winning a Fairyhouse Grade 1 but fully deserved his success on the day and shouldn't be underestimated. Western Fold would be a threat to all if recapturing his best form.
Prediction : 1st Kitzbuhel 2nd Fleur In The Park 3rd Western Fold

With the benefit of previous experience, Gowran Park runner-up HUNTIN BOOTS can go one place better. Although the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding proved no match for the winner on that occasion, he's entitled to have come forward plenty and has that significant advantage over the majority of his rivals. Elliott has a particularly strong team of bumper horses this term and, with Harry Swan in the saddle, he looks the stable first string. The Martin Brassil-trained newcomer Abbeyglen has to be respected given his connections often target a nice horse at this race. Altesse Du Luy is an obvious contender with Patrick Mullins taking the ride.
Prediction : 1st Huntin Boots 2nd Abbeyglen 3rd Altesse Du Luy

Fresher than most at this point of the season, MARINE NATIONALE can follow up last year's win in this race. Narrowly denied on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas, the Barry Connell-trained gelding arguably found the ground too testing when well beaten at the DRF. With a minor setback ruling him out of Cheltenham, the son of French Navy should be primed for this big late-season prize. Champion Chase winner Il Etait Temps is the obvious danger. Three from four this term, the grey has been impressive aside from one below-par run at Ascot. Majborough remains a horse with huge ability when putting it all together on the day.
Prediction : 1st Marine Nationale 2nd Il Etait Temps 3rd Majborough

A half-sister to two black type performers, the Nicky Henderson-trained PRETTY FORTUNATE catches the eye. With the stable having run some smart bumper horses at this meeting over the years and the booking of Declan Lavery catching the eye, she is given a speculative vote. Sent off favourite when third at Naas in January, Hartford shouldn't be far away. Previous experience is a huge advantage in these races and trainer Gordon Elliott has a strong team of bumper horses. Navan second Bunker Buster is entitled to come on for that effort, while Delamotte and Teofil are debutants who enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Pretty Fortunate 2nd Hartford 3rd Bunker Buster