UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Second in last year's renewal, SQUIRE OHARA might be able to go one better on his second Rules start for Ian Donoghue. The Milan gelding ran creditably behind some of the leading hunter chasers at Down Royal over Christmas, and a recent point-to-point outing should have him primed for this assignment. Hearts And Spades has been a prolific winner in point-to-points this season, and may be suited by dropping back in trip having raced keenly when third on his hunter chase debut over 3m at Cork. Last Round has solid hunter chase form and may be more suited by this trip than Asphalt Cowboy, who has won over a mile further and is now tried in blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Squire Ohara 2nd Hearts And Spades 3rd Last Round

Generally a highly consistent performer, ITS ON THE LINE put in an unusually flat effort at Aintree but is chosen to bounce back and land this contest for a fourth consecutive time. The nine-year-old was yet again runner-up at Cheltenham in March, but this course brings out the best in him and he appreciates spring ground. Panda Boy, now tried in a visor, won twice earlier in the year before finishing fifth at Cheltenham and this slightly shorter trip should suit. Last year's Cheltenham winner Wonderwall was only seventh in this year's renewal but has since won a point-to-point, while Downpatrick winner Cause For Comment has youth on his side.
Prediction : 1st Its On The Line 2nd Panda Boy 3rd Wonderwall

DINOBLUE has established herself as the leading mare over fences in the last couple of seasons and won the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham for the second time in a row in March. She has performed well at this festival in recent years too, and is very much the one to beat if maintaining her form on this fifth start of the campaign. Second in the Arkle last year, Only By Night proved herself over this trip when less then two lengths behind the selection at Cheltenham, while Kala Conti was about to launch a challenge to the geldings when coming down three out in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Only By Night 3rd Kala Conti

Willie Mullins runs eight and Paul Townend has gone with FUNICULI FUNICULA, who comes here a fresh horse after a light campaign. He has been progressive in three starts over fences and gave the impression when winning at Cork that stepping back up to 2m4f would suit. Spread Boss Ted has been lightly raced since finishing fourth in the Albert Bartlett two years ago and could have more to offer after a first chase win at Naas, while the form of Noble Park's victory at Newbury has worked out well and this appears to be his optimum trip. Raglan Road improved for better ground when winning at Down Royal and has Harry Cobden's assistance.
Prediction : 1st Funiculi Funicula 2nd Spread Boss Ted 3rd Noble Park

Turners Novices' Hurdle winner KING RASKO GREY can follow up. Impressive when landing his maiden hurdle at Limerick over Christmas, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old went down narrowly in his first start in Grade 1 company at the DRF, before benefiting from that experience to score at the Cheltenham Festival. Runner-up in a bumper here last season, he is lightly raced having had just the five career starts. Triumph Hurdle fifth Lord Byron improved for the step up to this trip when a staying-on fourth at Aintree. In receipt of weight, the UK raider holds leading claims. Jalon D'oudairies should be better suited to this trip having failed to fire in the Albert Bartlett.
Prediction : 1st King Rasko Grey 2nd Lord Byron 3rd Jalon Doudairies

Champion Hurdle winner LOSSIEMOUTH can maintain her unbeaten record at this track. Having landed the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle three seasons ago, the Willie Mullins-trained grey returned to take the Mares Champion Hurdle a year later. An emphatic winner of the Morgiana here on her reappearance, the seven-year-old clearly has a liking for Punchestown. Relatively fresh for this stage of the season, it will be a major surprise if she fails to add a fourth course victory. County Hurdle winner Wilful should be suited to racing prominently in a small field, while William Munny is interesting if ready after a long absence.
Prediction : 1st Lossiemouth 2nd Wilful 3rd William Munny

ARSLAN is a speculative suggestion in a competitive affair. Consistent throughout his short career to date, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old caught the eye on his recent handicap debut, staying on late to finish seventh in a big field at Fairyhouse. Sure to have benefited from that first experience of handicaps, the son of Wootton Bassett may be able to step forward enough to land this prize. Trainer Noel Kelly has been among the winners of late and High Court Cave is not without his chance, despite being off the track since September. Better ground will certainly suit the lightly-raced gelding. UK raider Spirou has to enter calculations for the Harry Derham team.
Prediction : 1st Arslan 2nd High Court Cave 3rd Spirou

Martin Brassil struck with a bumper winner earlier in the week and CITYOFBLINDINLITES stands out here. Runner-up on his debut in a decent contest at Leopardstown over Christmas, the form of that race received a significant boost when the winner went on to land the Champion Bumper. Almost certainly kept fresh with this race in mind, the five-year-old should be very hard to beat. Third in that Leopardstown race, the Gordon Elliott-trained Premier Division looks the main threat. He will need to improve to overturn the form with the selection but cannot be discounted. Heldam has yet to live up to the hype, but is almost certainly better than he has shown to date.
Prediction : 1st Cityofblindinlites 2nd Premier Division 3rd Heldam