Another profitable day at Punchestown yesterday with four winners as well as a couple of near misses. Hopefully we can keep that up today….
NAP OF THE DAY: Snugsborough Hall (1615 Punchestown), 2pts win, 3/1:
Was beaten twice here over 3 miles before breaking his chasing duck when stepped down in trip at Clonmel. Had a ton in hand when an easy winner back at this minimum trip at Leopardstown. Despite a rise for that he looked set to prove he still had tons in hand when going easily at Fairyhouse last time befor being unlucky to get carried out at the third last. Should make amends here off this low weight.
RACE OF THE DAY: Bacardys, (1730 Punchestown), 1pt win, 7/1:
Has been a grade one winner at this meeting and is pretty useful when things go his way. Has a lot to find with Baupame on Cheltenham running, but both horses are inconsistent and that form may not hold up. May prefer this smaller field and is worth risking at the odds.
Rest Of the Card:
Drop The Anchor, (1540 Punchestown), 1pt win, 7/1:
Was a tidy bunker winner before running with increasing promise in a series of maiden hurdles. Now steps into handicaps for the first time off a Goldilocks rating of 116 – too high on what he has done, too low on what he might be capable of. Worth chancing that it might be the latter, but not for lumping on in a race rich in dangers.
Josie’s Orders, (1650 Punchestown), 1pt win, 4/5:
Runner up in this last year and it remains one of the few gaps on his cross country CV. Was runner up at Cheltenham albeit a long way behind the amazing Tiger Roll. No such icon to take on here and although this is towards the limits of his stamina he should still win with ease.
Cuneo, (1805 Punchestown), 1pt win, 13/2:
We were tempted to chase losses on My Sister Sarah as she is probably better than she looked at Fairyhouse. But we prefer Cuneo. He won the Leopardstown Pertemps qualifier after which he got a hefty hike. Still he ran well on ground too fast back at the Dublin track before threatening to win the Pertemps Final before being run down on the hill. Off a similar mark here he can improve again and land another good prize before fences beckon.
Defi Du Seuil, (1840 Punchestown), 1pt win, 2/1:
Some lively contenders here but this should be a duel between Cheltenham heroes Duc Des Genievres and Defi Du Seuil. The Duc was a good winner of the Arkle but that was an odd day’s racing on freshly drenched turf. Defi’s defeat of the excellent Lostintranslation was possibly the better form, and the challenge is really if he can cope with the step back in trip. We think he can, and that he will.
Elfile, (1915 Punchestown), 1pt win, 11/10:
the best two mares her look like Mullins’ Elfile and Elliott’s Black Tears. They are 1-1 in their latest two runs, but it was the Mullins mare who finished the better at Fairyhouse recently and she can improve past her rival.
The Big Getaway, (1945 Punchestown), 1pt win, 13/8:
Low on runners but strong on quality, this bumper looks set to provide yet another Willie masterclass, with The Big Getaway as the star pupil. He looked like he needed the run when 2nd last time and has ideal conditions here and should land the prize.
The Daily Yankee
Snugsborough Hall – Cuneo – Defi Du Seuil – Elfile
Please subscribe for latest tips and news, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook
