UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

NOEMIE DE LA VIS can register a first career success. Runner-up on her sole French start, the Willie Mullins-trained filly was sent off a warm favourite when filling a similar position on her stable debut at Fairyhouse in January. Readily forgiven a below-par run when raised in class in the Triumph Hurdle last time, the daughter of Morandi can make the breakthrough here. Tramore third Porcupine Bank should be all the better for that initial experience. A son of Order Of St George, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding is likely to be seen to better effect here. Academy hurdle fourth Out Of Aces disappointed last time but cannot be ruled out for his in-form stable.
Prediction : 1st Noemie De La Vis 2nd Porcupine Bank 3rd Out Of Aces

Listed bumper winner SWITCH FROM DIESEL can get off the mark over hurdles. Runner-up on her first two starts over flights, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained mare was highly tried in Grade 1 company on her most recent outings. Back in calmer waters now, the seven-year-old should take the beating. Full Of Shade has a mammoth absence to overcome but Willie Mullins does exceptionally well with similar types. It is surely significant that the mare has been kept in training at this stage of her career. Any market support should be noted. Cork bumper winner Salsinha is a lightly-raced five-year-old with the scope for further improvement on just her fourth start over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Switch From Diesel 2nd Full Of Shade 3rd Salsinha

A lot of the main contenders for this have been absent for a while, including HICKEYS HILL, who was a winner on handicap debut at Fairyhouse in October. He has been off since finishing fifth at Clonmel later that month and may have strengthened up during his time on the sidelines. The son of Hillstar will appreciate the sound surface and his trainer Andy McNamara has had a couple of recent winners. The Border Boy, third to the selection at Fairyhouse after winning at Cork in August, is another returning from a break but has to merit consideration off a light weight. Low Style made the frame a couple of times during the winter and drops in trip and grade.
Prediction : 1st Hickeys Hill 2nd The Border Boy 3rd Low Style

SPANISH MAID makes plenty of appeal off a light weight on her return to hurdling. On her first start for Ross O'Sullivan, the Workforce mare was made favourite for a handicap chase at Wexford on St Patrick's Day and was a creditable second before going one better at Tramore last month. She's 5lb lower over hurdles and was placed a couple of times in maidens for her previous yard. Ode To Joy has been consistent of late and the form of her third at Bellewstown was boosted when the winner went in again on his next start. Patrick Street comes here in good heart after winning on the Flat at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Spanish Maid 2nd Ode To Joy 3rd Patrick Street

CAPTAINS SPEECH won a point-to-point on testing ground in 2024 and then had a long spell on the sidelines before finishing second over 2m4f at Cork in March. He was miles clear of the third when again finding one too good over that trip at Wexford and is taken to get off the mark, with this greater test of stamina set to suit the son of El Salvador. Quest For Answers was bought for 170,000 pounds after an impressive point-to-point victory in November and is an intriguing addition to Mouse Morris' stable. The Rebel Fox shaped well on Rules debut when a never-nearer fifth over 2m3f at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Captains Speech 2nd Quest For Answers 3rd The Rebel Fox

WAKEY WAKEY MAN is still searching for a first win, but the Idaho gelding has been placed in three of his last six starts. He wasn't beaten far when staying on well into third over 2m7f at Clonmel last month and has the assistance of the champion jockey for the first time. Schiehallion is a maiden at the age of nine, but has been runner-up three times in similar contests, including at Bellewstown last time out. Where Are You Now was favourite for his handicap debut here in January when beaten a head over 2m. A brother to a winner over 2m4f, he takes a marked step up in trip here.
Prediction : 1st Wakey Wakey Man 2nd Schiehallion 3rd Where Are You Now

SPELLACY'S CROSS was backed down to favouritism in a higher grade at Clonmel and was keeping on in fourth when he departed at the final flight. That was over a shorter trip, but he has form in staying assignments including when fifth in the Cork Grand National last November. Annie Button brings the best recent form to the contest having delivered over an extended 3m at Cork last Sunday. She had a tough enough race in winning by a head, but is clearly in good humour. Mickey Hulie wasn't at his best in seventh at Kilbeggan but previous placed efforts in Naas and Limerick give him a chance, while Orlando Spirit is one to note up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Spellacys Cross 2nd Annie Button 3rd Mickey Hulie

EMERALD ENIGMA is hard to go past having won on debut in a ladies' bumper at Cork in March. She ought to come on plenty from that experience, particularly as her jockey pointed out afterwards that it was her first time in a bunch of horses and that she was a bit green on the bends. Working Class Hero attracted support at big prices for his racecourse bow over C&D at the start of the month and ran a pleasing race in second without landing a glove on the impressive winner. Point-to-point graduate Coolishael makes his racecourse debut for Ross O'Sullivan's in-form stable, while Conor O'Dwyer's Mila Ballerina is a well-related sort.
Prediction : 1st Emerald Enigma 2nd Working Class Hero 3rd Coolishael