Tag: ruby walsh

Friday selections – Punchestown & Cheltenham

Punchestown

3.40 Change Your Story

4.20 Pravalaguna

4.55 Barra

5.30 Buveur D’air (NAP)

6.05 Tornado Flyer

6.35 Caid Du Berlais

7.10 Dunvegan

7.45 Monkfish & Longhouse Poet

Cheltenham

7.50 Wonderful Charm

Punchestown Festival ante-post

Herald Champion Novice Hurdle – Mister Blue Sky 12/1ew:

A horse that went straight into my notebook after a taking debut win over hurdles at Wexford in October, I thought he would emerge as a leading contender for the Supreme before injury intervened. He eventually next appeared at Naas in March when, clearly needing the run, he was just beaten. He was soon back in the winners’ enclosure however, showing a turn of foot and battling qualities to claim a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. It’s true that this Punchestown test represents a big step up in class, but this is a horse with plenty of scope for improvement and at 12/1 he offers plenty of each way appeal at a meeting which can throw up the odd surprise result. There is also the strong possibility that current favourite, Supreme winner Klassical Dream, could line up in the 2m 4f race instead to take into consideration if the ground is good.

Dooley Champion Novice Chase – A Plus Tard 12/1ew:

One of the most impressive winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Henry De Bromhead’s charge was given a rating of 160 following his Close Brothers romp at Prestbury Park. That’s a mark a pound higher than Delta Work, yet the favourite is 11/10 and A Plus Tard can be backed at 12/1. The trainer has confirmed this step up in trip as the target and he looks outstanding value at the current prices. Remember the five-year-old also has a win over Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres (now rated 163) on his CV this season.

Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle – Carefully Selected 6/1ew:

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old was expected to take high rank amongst this season’s novice hurdlers after fine performances in 2018’s spring festival bumpers – finishing second at Cheltenham and third at Punchestown. However, we didn’t see him jump a hurdle until last month, when winning at Limerick. You’d have to think that run will have brought him forward plenty and if returning to the level he achieved in his bumper season then 6/1 could well offer plenty of value here.

Punchestown Gold Cup – Bellshill 7/1ew:

I backed Al Boum Photo to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and on the face of it he should have every chance of backing up that glorious triumph with another here. Yet sometimes you have to look beyond the obvious and instead I’m liking the chances of Irish Gold Cup winner Bellshill, a horse who just loves it around Punchestown. In three visits – all at the festival – he has won every time, including last year when winning this race. At the 7/1 available the son of King’s Theatre is the each way value bet for me.

Ryanair Novice Chase – Getabird 16/1ew:

Getabird missed Cheltenham and Aintree and the last time we saw him, on Boxing Day, fell to defeat at Limerick so it takes a leap of faith to back him but I think he’s certainly worthy of that support at a big price. A good winner on his chase debut here back in December, this point winner was always likely to make a better chaser than he was a hurdler and considering his record wasn’t too shoddy over timber that means he should still be pretty damn good over the bigger obstacles. Barring a mistake at the last at Christmas he’d still be unbeaten and he returns to a track here where he trounced the reopposing Mengli Khan by nine lengths in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle last season. For some reason he’s a much shorter price for the three mile novice chase here but he’s never run over that distance under rules and I’d find it odd that Willie Mullins would decide to start now, especially with all his best form being over the minimum trip. Duc Des Genievres is way too short at 6/4 at the head of the market – yes, he won the Arkle by 13 lengths but it was the worst renewal of the race I can remember and I’d have my doubts that we are talking about the Champion Chase winner this time next year. At 16/1, Getabird offers tremendous each way appeal, while at 7/1 Defi Du Seuil also looks attractive as an alternative betting option.

Alanna Homes Novice Hurdle – Tornado Flyer 16/1ew:

Another from the Willie Mullins stable who has had a truncated season, Tornado Flyer won the Champion Bumper here 12 months ago before starting his novice hurdle campaign with victory at the track in December. He then started 9/4 for the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Hurdle in January before being pulled up early on by Ruby Walsh. It’s not totally ideal for his return from injury to come in what looks a very hot renewal of the two and a half mile novice hurdle championship, but this son of Flemensfirth is without doubt overpriced and if anyone can get a horse ready then you’d certainly trust Mullins to be that man.

Sunday selections – Chepstow, Limerick & Navan

Chepstow

2.15 Fanfan Du Seuil 9/2ew

2.50 Debece 10/3

3.25 Coolanly 10/3 (previously advised at 5/1, read my preview here)

4.00 Theatre Guide 15/2ew

4.35 Vado Forte 8/1ew

5.10 Barney Dwan 7/2

Limerick

1.50 Madison To Monroe 16/1ew

2.25 Light of my Life 7/2 (NAP)

3.00 Good Thyne Tara 4/9

3.35 The Big Lense 2/1

4.10 Tombstone 10/11

4.45 Raz De Maree 33/1ew

Navan

4.25 Makitorix 16/1ew

Galway Festival – Day 7 (Sunday) selections

2.15 Peacocks Secret & Hearts Are Trumps

2.45 Major Destination & Mighty Stowaway

3.55 Dream Walker & Safe Voyage

4.30 Sub Lieutenant

5.00 Blast of Koeman & Calino D’airy

5.30 Days Without End & Rovetta

6.00 Dorrells Pierji