UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

WUNDERSCHON offered enough encouragement in her first three appearances to warrant a tilt at the Eyrefield Stakes and she emerged from that Leopardstown Group 3 with her reputation enhanced in fourth. On that evidence, a maiden win should be a formality, although Petticoat Bay gave herself something to build on when third at the Curragh and significant improvement is anticipated. Although San Juan De Lope doesn't have a previous outing under her belt, she cost 280,000 euros as a yearling and must be given careful consideration.
Prediction : 1st Wunderschon 2nd Petticoat Bay 3rd San Juan De Lope

JP'S EXPRESS returned to form with a close-up third at the Curragh and Michael Mulvany's gelding did well having been caught wide for much of the contest. A 2lb nudge up in the ratings looks workable for the three-year-old and compensation may beckon. The biggest threat may emerge from the veteran Excuzio Joe, who returned from a lengthy layoff to finish second at Bellewstown. Lady Mary Heath is also worth a second look.
Prediction : 1st Jps Express 2nd Excuzio Joe 3rd Lady Mary Heath

IMPOSING showed notable improvement on his second start when a front-running second to a smart-looking stablemate over this trip at Leopardstown, and a breakthrough victory may be on the cards. Stable companion Oklahoma chased home Futurity Trophy winner Giant Sequoia on debut, but has been a beaten favourite on all three runs since then. Nonsense was unfancied when making a promising debut at the Curragh, where he ran second to yet another Aidan O'Brien-trained juvenile. Dawnmore is more exposed than the other principals, but his experience should prove an asset.
Prediction : 1st Imposing 2nd Oklahoma 3rd Nonsense

GABBY HAYES ran a good race on heavy ground when third at the Curragh and possibly didn't enjoy the surface at Dundalk last time. Noel Meade's gelding can be forgiven that effort and gets another chance. Wecouldhavehaditall was a front-running third over 1m in a Naas nursery before a respectable effort in maiden company at Killarney, and dropping back in trip may help. Melchizedek showed a lot more on his third maiden start when fifth at Thurles and might step forward again.
Prediction : 1st Gabby Hayes 2nd Wecouldavehaditall 3rd Melchizedek

A well-bred daughter of Wootton Bassett, ABIDING MEMORY made some late headway over this trip when fifth at Naas on her debut earlier in the month and might improve sufficiently to land this end-of-season maiden. Spacebound went close on testing ground at the Curragh back in March and again ran well at that venue when fourth in a handicap last time. A mile seemed to stretch him and this trip may be a better fit, with a hood now applied for the first time. Saliba has been runner-up over 1m1f and an extended 1m2f, so the question mark against his name is whether he'll be sharp enough to cope with this distance.
Prediction : 1st Abiding Memory 2nd Spacebound 3rd Saliba

LA TULIPE NOIRE hit form towards the end of last season and appears to be coming to hand again. She was three places behind Tariff when fourth at the Curragh last week, but may be able to reverse the form on ground that she handles well. Tariff is at the top of his game, but has been busy of late and may prefer better ground. Capolinea showed promise over a longer trip on her handicap debut at Navan and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st La Tulipe Noire 2nd Tariff 3rd Capolinea

REAL PETITE was a comprehensive four-length winner under today's rider at Gowran Park and a 9lb rise still leaves the versatile filly with a decent chance of following up. Several of the others have been struggling to find their form and, with that in mind, God Knows is suggested as the biggest danger after a good second at the Curragh last week. Off 3lb higher, she is capable of being on the premises again. Survivor's Code and Buttermere Ridge complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Real Petite 2nd God Knows 3rd Survivors Code