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Punchestown Day Two

What an opening day we had at the Punchestown festival! Chacun Pour Soi was back to his spectacular best in the Champion Chase. One can only wonder if they had decided to be more aggressive at Cheltenham, would the result have been different. Echoes In Rain was very impressive in the Novice Hurdle. I think she could be a dark horse for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next year. I really like her. While we didn’t get the clash we were anticipating in the Grade 1 Novice Chase, Colreevy deserves unbelievable credit. What a tough mare she is! I wonder if the owner’s are regretting covering her? I am sure the foal will be worth a few quid all the same!!

There is plenty of quality ahead of us tomorrow once again. While it is a pity that Minella Indo was withdrawn from the Gold Cup, we have a small but select field. Al Boum Photo, who went down fighting in his attempt at history in March, sets the standard. However, it was a hard race at Cheltenham and I prefer his stablemate Kemboy who disappointed at Cheltenham but won this race two years ago. On that occasion, he beat his stablemate who had won the Gold Cup that season and his form this season has been rock solid apart from the Cheltenham blip. He only gave way to A Plus Tard late on at Leopardstown at Christmas before winning impressively back there at the Dublin Racing Festival. I think he is underestimated and looks the clear value to me. Clan Des Obeaux looked right back to his best at Aintree last time as did Fakir Doudairies but I am dubious about the strength of the Aintree form in terms of this week. Fakir is interesting stepping up to 3 miles for the first time, as he shapes like he will stay and of the two, I see him as a bigger danger. I would have Kemboy challenging his stablemate for favouritism and would consider him a bet at 3/1 so the 4/1 on offer looks very generous.

I was interested in Galopin Des Champs in the Novice Hurdle and backed him earlier today but his price has collapsed and I will tentatively pass at tipping him at 9/4. He was very impressive at Cheltenham and this trip could eek out even more improvement. He has usurped Vanillier as favourite, possibly as a result of the red-hot stable form and momentum from their huge Tuesday. I am not sure about the Albert Bartlett form just yet. Vanillier looked like a world-beater on that occasion but it is never a race to take literally when it comes to the form book and I need more evidence that he is as good as he looked on that occasion. In any case, I am not sure this track will suit as he looks an out and out galloper. Telmesomethinggirl did us a big favour at Cheltenham but steps up dramatically in trip. I am not sure I have ever thought she would be suited to three miles but Henry knows a lot more than I do. When all is said and done I am happy to swerve the race.

I am really looking forward to the rematch in the Bumper and hope it doesn’t disappoint. It was one of the best race of the Festival and I think it could be just as close again. I slightly favour Sir Gerhard on this speedier test but I won’t be having a bet. Nothing else really stood out on the remainder of the card. I had a good look at the handicap chase but couldn’t settle on one so it is just the one bet on Wednesday.


1pt win Kemboy (4/1 General) Punchestown 5.55

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