Racing
Punchestown Win 6 preview | 2nd May
15.40 Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle (88-123)
Owner JP McManus has two big chances in the opener. NARA shaped very nicely when she finished seventh in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival and must have excellent claims under Mark Walsh. HOLLY went close behind Brentford Hope last time out, who ran well at this meeting earlier in the week. She must go close with a repeat performance.
Tips: Nara, Holly
16.15 Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed)
BLOOD DESTINY has a great opportunity to resume winning ways. His latest third in a Grade 1 race has worked out well, and the fact that he previously beat Spillane’s Tower in a Grade 3 race suggests he will be too good for these. He is the one to beat, while SAINT ROI is a Grade 1 winner in this sphere and must be respected.
Tips: Blood Destiny, Saint Roi
16.50 Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase
COKO BEACH isn’t guaranteed to stay the distance, but he’s been in great form this season and should be hard to topple if he can repeat his penultimate successful debut in this code. I think his main danger is FAMEAFTERTHEGLORY, who has shaped well in two starts in this code and warmed up for this with a couple of spins over hurdles. He is really interesting, as is VITAL ISLAND, who has a good record in this code.
Tips: Coko Beach, Fameaftertheglory, Vital Island
17.25 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1)
It is difficult to see past GAELIC WARRIOR. He oozed class when winning the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and he has already beaten the stablemate he will face again here. He is unbeaten in two starts at this course, and he is fresher than most, so it would come as an almighty shock if he doesn’t win this race impressively under Paul Townend.
Tips: Gaelic Warrior
18.00 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)
ASTERION FORLONGE came close to winning this last year and gained a confidence-booster success over fences last time out. He must be thereabouts. The ground might be against TEAHUPOO but he is the one to beat on his Cheltenham success and cannot be left off the list. HOME BY THE LEE is another to consider.
Tips: Asterion Forlonge, Teahupoo, Home By The Lee
18.35 Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
CAPTAIN CODY won a Grade 2 race with plenty to spare last time out and should be in the mix, as should the capable CHANTRY HOUSE. The likes of ASHDALE BOB and DE CAPO GLORY have good course form and must also enter the reckoning, while the in-form LUCKY LYREEN can also be included.
Tips: Captain Cody, Chantry House, Ashdale Bob, De Capo Glory, Lucky Lyreen
