We’re approaching the halfway point of the final ‘big’ National Hunt meeting of the season, and below are my Punchestown Festival 2025 Day 3 Selections.
There were a few eye-catching performances to note from yesterday.
Firstly, I still don’t know how Docklands didn’t win the second race at Ascot. Yes, I’m speaking from my pocket, but my conclusion is that he ran into quite a smart horse. The pair pulled four-and-a-half lengths clear of the third, Checkandchallenge, and they’ll both improve for the run.
Another horse to watch going forward is Fleur In The Park, who finished third to Jasmin De Vaux and Honesty Policy at Punchestown.
He jumped, he travelled, and he was still in contention approaching the last. He’s had a busy season, so a nice summer break will do him the world of good and fences next season can see him improve further.
Anyway, tomorrow, let’s go.
Punchestown Festival 2025 Day 3 Selections
3:05 Punchestown – Gabriel’s Getaway @ 12/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 1pt EW
Anthony Honeyball loves a Punchestown runner (and winner), and this race looks like it’s been the plan for Gabriel’s Getaway.
His last win came at Doncaster in January 2024, but that was just two starts ago, so one can assume he had a setback between that win and his reappearance at the same track in March 2025.
He ran a fine race that day to finish fifth, beaten nine-and-three-quarter lengths, and the form of the race looks strong. The winner, Brookie, has placed in Grade 1 company since and the third, Calico, chased home Sans Bruit in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree.
This eight-year-old by Getaway loves good ground, so he should love this spin around Punchestown, and he represents a yard who have had three winners from 22 runners at Punchestown.
With a rating of 124, just 2lbs higher than his last winning mark, he can land another win this week for the Brits.
4:15 Punchestown – Bill Joyce @ 9/1 General & Ballybow @ 12/1 General (6 places) – 0.5pts EW both
We didn’t get to see Bill Joyce truly try handicap company at Aintree earlier in the month as he fell at the eighth hurdle, and with a 2lb lower mark, I’ll keep him on side in the fourth race at Punchestown.
His form with The New Lion and Regent’s Stroll from the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle is obvious, but he also beat Quebecois (rated 140) at Sandown in December in the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle.
It seems that Punchestown are watering pretty heavily throughout the week to keep the ground from being rattling, so as long as this is the case, he should have no issue on the surface.
I just think he is better than his rating of 134 suggests, and there must be a reason for connections to bring him over to Ireland.
The same case goes for Ballybow, who has an official rating of 128 despite finishing second to Air Of Entitlement, the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner, at Down Royal in December. He also gave 2lbs away that day.
At Clonmel in February, he beat Ballygunner Castle (rated 134), who has since finished third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse. The form of that Fairyhouse race got a boost yesterday thanks to Fleur In The Park, as previously mentioned.
He won his Sligo bumper on yielding, and that run behind Air Of Entitlement came on good to yielding. Hopefully, that puts him in a good place to handle conditions.
5:25 Punchestown – Brookie @ 18/1 with Betfred (2 places) – 0.5pt EW
Yes, I’m having a swing at one against Majborough, and the horse I’m doing it with is Brookie. I’m officially an Anthony Honeyball fanboy.
He might be in no man’s land due to his handicap mark following his second in Grade 1 company at Aintree, but he put two lengths between himself and L’Eau Du Sud, which is better than what both Majborough and Only By Night did in the Arkle.
He also loves good ground having won on the surface twice, and the form of his Doncaster handicap win in March off 135 received a boost when Calico valiantly chased home Sans Bruit in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree.
He is his price for a reason, but he might just cause a surprise for Anthony Honeyball, who has a great Punchestown record.
6:00 Punchestown – Home By The Lee @ 12/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW
I was very close to putting Teahupoo up in this race as I can’t fault his profile at the prices, but the fact that Home By The Lee beat Bob Olinger twice earlier in the season makes me inclined to chance him again.
Joseph O’Brien has taken the usual blinkers off, which is an interesting move that could bring out a better side of Home By The Lee. Based on his Aintree performance, this change will need to have a difference, but that surely wasn’t his true self.
The form of his win in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle at Christmas is red-hot. Bob Olinger has won a Stayers’ Hurdle, Rocky’s Diamond has won a Galmoy Hurdle (and reappears here), and Hewick has won a Jimmy Neville Memorial Hurdle.
He’s won four races on yielding ground, two of which at Grade 1 level, so I’ll keep on side.
