Andrew’s Punchestown Festival day two race by race betting guide
The Grade 1s keep on rolling at the Punchestown Festival, and today, we get to witness one of the greatest staying chasers ever to step foot on a racecourse search for redemption after his Gold Cup crown was taken from him at Cheltenham by Iknowthewayurthinkin. Away from the Punchestown Gold Cup, seven other races, including a further two Grade 1s, are to be settled. Get the best Punchestown odds and promotions with the best horse racing betting sites here. Punchestown 2:30 Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle – 2m3½f (4yo+) The last five winners of this race have been no bigger than 9/1, so even given the number of runners, it has paid to trust the betting market in recent years. But, as I am writing this, there is no current betting available, but there are two who look to be nicely weighted coming in here. The first is Thanksforthehelp, who is starting to look extremely well handicapped off a mark 116, which is 1lb lower than when bolting up at Chepstow in February 2023 and 12lb lower for his last win at Southwell in April of the same year. In between those wins, he was sent off the 10/3 favourite for the Pertemps Final at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and did run well to be beaten eight lengths. He has had his issues since, but on the back of a good 3rd at Haydock in January, he is too well handicapped to ignore. The other runner, and the one I will be siding with, is the lightly raced FAIRYLAND OPERA. She comes in here on the back of a facile win at Tramore and has since been left on the same mark of 114 despite her 12-length win. That win was on the back of two good 2nd place finishes in handicaps behind Duke Of Leggagh and Amanha. With that experience and confidence-boosting win under her belt, this consistent mare can give her rivals a lot to think about. Portnacoo, Ballysax Hank, and She’s A Fine Wine are others to consider. Selection: Fairyland Opera Danger: Thanksforthehelp Bet on Fairyland Opera with Betfred Punchestown 3:05 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final – 2m3½f (4yo+) The Henry de Bromhead-trained Downmexicoway is a good starting point. If you forgive him for his lacklustre run in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month, this unexposed hurdler can get back on track after a facile win in December for his in-form trainer. The race conditions suit him well, but the one I’ll be siding with is CORAL RIVER. Coral River got the better of Kish Bank in his maiden hurdle win at Gorwan Park. He followed that up with a 3rd in a novice hurdle behind Scalpnagoon and bettered that form when finishing 3rd, beaten just over a length behind the now Grade 1 winner Honesty Policy. Champagne Jury narrowly in front of Coral River that day, but Coral River ran green throughout and has it in him to finish ahead of Champagne Jury here. This will be a big ask for a horse of his experience, but given that he has a lot of untapped talent, he is well worth chancing at what should be an each-way price. Selection: Coral River Danger: Champagne Jury Bet on Coral River with SBK Punchestown 3:40 Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle – 2m3½f (4yo+) This race has produced some well above-average winners in the past, none more so than the 2008 winner Solwhit. But is there one of his class hiding in plain sight this season? No is the simple answer. But there is one who looks to have a standout chance of returning to winning ways after a poor run at the Cheltenham Festival, and that is KAID D’AUTHIE. This 133-rated novice hurdler arrives here after being pulled up in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle, but before that was 4th to Kopek Des Bordes at the Dublin Racing Festival and was a good winner of a maiden hurdle before that. Race conditions are very much in the favour of Kaid d’Authie, and it would be disappointing if he cannot take care of his rivals here. Centerofattention is an interesting runner for Nicky Henderson, but he will need to be above average to win this on hurdles debut. The one who may follow the selection home is Got Glory if she can sort out her jumping. She was about to win the Munster Hurdle at Clonmel in January only to fall two out. If she stays on her feet, she is a danger to all. Selection: Kaid d’Authie Danger: Got Glory Bet on Kaid d’Authie with talkSPORT BET Punchestown 4:15 Grade 1 Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle – 3m (4yo+) The first Grade 1 of the day sees the Albert Bartlett winner, JASMIN DE VAUX, take on the Aintree Grade 1 winner, Honesty Policy. Preference is for the Cheltenham Festival winner who thrived for the step up to 3m at Cheltenham. Going into the Cheltenham Festival, there were major question marks surrounding Jasmin De Vaux’s jumping. But as hoped, the slower pace combined with the step-up in trip brought out the best in the former Champion Bumper winner. He will never be the most natural jumper, but he
The Grade 1s keep on rolling at the Punchestown Festival, and today, we get to witness one of the greatest staying chasers ever to step foot on a racecourse search for redemption after his Gold Cup crown was taken from him at Cheltenham by Iknowthewayurthinkin.
Away from the Punchestown Gold Cup, seven other races, including a further two Grade 1s, are to be settled.
Get the best Punchestown odds and promotions with the best horse racing betting sites here.
