Thursday 26 April 2018

Friday 27th April - Punchestown Day 4


Just the 3 winners at Punchestown for Willie Mullins today ! – but they were the 3 most valuable races on the card – and he also had one beaten a short head !

It was heartening to see Faugheen bounce back and win the big race of the day.
As I said last night, 8/1 was a bit of a gift – and even his SP of 11/2 was quite generous, given that he was the outstanding horse in the field (accepting he had a couple of question marks over him).

It’s more of the same tomorrow – and it will be no surprise if Willie again bags a few winners…


4:20

He’s certainly got a good chance in this race, as he saddles favourite, Kemboy.
I respect his chance – but it’s one of  his other runners, which really catches my eye…
Pylononthepresure would have gone close at Cheltenham, if he’d not tried to take most of the fences home with him !
His jumping also let him down at Tramore last time – so it’s a concern,
However, if he does manage to get it right, he’s got the talent to go very close in this off a mark of 135.
At 25/1, he’s worth a small risk…

4:55

Willie won’t be winning this race, as he’s not got a runner ! – but I’m not sure what will !
La Bella Vida should run her race and is not a bad EW option, if you can get 16/1…

5:30

It will be fascinating to see how the unbeaten novice Samcro, fares against Champion hurdle runner up, Melon.
I do think that Samcro is the real deal – but this will be by far his stiffest task to date – and over a trip arguably short of his best.
I’d like to see him win, because it’s always good to see a top class horse – but I won’t be betting on it…
I won’t bet on Melon either, despite the fact he’s the obvious alternative.
Instead, I’ll be siding with Wicklow Brave.
He won the corresponding race 12 months ago – and at 12/1, looks a good bet to repeat the feat.

6:05

Pallasator is understandably favourite for this – but he looks vulnerable to me…
Willie fields 6 against him – and again, it is quite likely that he’ll have the winner.
Scarpeta is the most strongly fancied of his runners – but that is because Paul Townend rides.
It strikes me as very interesting that Willie is prepared to let Getabird take his chance in this, just 3 days after disappointing in the 2 mile novice.
He’s the highest rated horse in the race – and is a decent bet at 7/1…

6:40

I can’t see Balnalsow winning this.
He was clearly primed for Aintree and Derek O Connor abandons him for Uxizandre.
He’s the one to beat – but comes with plenty of risks for a 5/2 shot.
Sambremont is a more interesting option, at 25/1.
He was a fair performer under rules a couple of seasons back – and is still only 8.
He may not be quite good enough to win, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see him outrun his odds.

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