It’s the final big meeting of the jumps calendar for 2023/24 as the Punchestown Festival kicks off today.
It’s sure to be a nice watch this week, and hopefully there are some nice bets as well.
So, let’s begin.
3:05 Punchestown – World Of Dreams @ 9/1 with SkyBet (7 places) – 1pt EW
Anthony Honeyball has a great record at Punchestown – as displayed by Kilbeg King’s victory at the meeting last year – and World Of Dreams can look to continue this streak of form.
The eight-year-old is relatively unexposed for his age due to an 809-day break between his Plumpton success in January 2022 and his Ludlow reappearance in March 2024.
Admittedly, there is an element of doubt as to his readiness, but he showed his well-being at Ludlow (he travelled well but didn’t find much late on) and one can assume Honeyball isn’t bringing him over for the Punchestown air.
Interesting hurdling recruit! Stag Horn is a talented stayer on the level and wins on his jumping debut for @Archie_Watson and @GavinSheehan92 at @HerefordRaces… pic.twitter.com/0q6VZbSSzx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 11, 2021
Before his setback, he was progressive and finished second to Stag Horn, a future Grade 2 winner, when giving seven pounds away at Hereford.
By Kayf Tara out of a well-related mare (the dam, Rose Of The World, is a half to the Leinster National winner Pairofbrowneyes and is also a half to the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase winner Master Of The Hall), his pedigree is intriguing and could well have more to offer.
4:15 Punchestown – Samui @ 25/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW
The Listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, like a few of the handicaps at Sandown on Saturday, is competitive, but it hasn’t stopped me from finding a bet at the big prices.
Samui is the horse I’ve landed on as his profile is very interesting off a mark of 127.
The five-year-old was campaigned in the summer last season which shows he prefers better ground, so as long as the predicted downpour doesn’t affect the course too much, he should handle the conditions.
On hurdles debut, he gave eight pounds away to Willie Mullins’ Jit Langy, a horse who went on to run in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival behind the likes of Ballyburn, Slade Steel, Absurde, and King Of Kingsfield.
What a start 💯
Mystical Power's opening victory gives @WillieMullinsNH his 100th winner at the @Galway_Races Festival 👏#GalwayRaces #greenteampic.twitter.com/BF8cVvkOnx
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) July 31, 2023
After that, he won nicely at Tramore and then gave seven pounds away to Mystical Power (Grade 1 winner rated 148) at Galway when beaten by seven lengths, and he ran a nice race despite a jolting error at the second-last that saw him come immediately off the bridle.
Although one of his five handicap wins resulted in a win, three of them occurred on ground worse than soft and the form of his one success looks smart as the third, Common Practice, won a Listed handicap on his next start and the fourth, Flamborough, has won twice since.
Flamborough also beat Jigoro in a maiden hurdle who has good form with Mystical Power and Tullyhill (Listed winner rated 149).
Without a doubt, this is a pick based on the good form he has in the book, and he should come on for the two runs he had in quick succession in March.
The quicker today’s ground is, the better his chance gets. NAP of the day.
6:00 Punchestown – Monty’s Star @ 11/4 with William Hill – 1pt Win
At the Cheltenham Festival, I stuck with Monty’s Star for the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and he did me proud, so there’s no need to go against him here in what looks like an easier race.
The seven-year-old’s pedigree speaks for itself; he is a Walk In The Park half-brother to Monalee and a full brother to the progressive Firm Footings, so that’s a big positive in my books.
His run behind Fact To File at Prestbury Park showed plenty of promise, and he found himself on the outside of the pack for much of the contest which is no easy task on the constantly-turning old course of Cheltenham.
🟢🟡 Fact To File – smooth win in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
99 #CheltenhamFestival winners for WP Mullins pic.twitter.com/sBSqFd4uzN
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2024
His form of beating Hiddenvalley Lake in a Grade 3 Novice Hurdle last season looks strong and even his third to Corbetts Cross on his first start of the season over an inadequate trip was a mighty effort.
If he handles the better ground (which is the reason behind a 1pt win and not a 2pt win), then he should be the best horse in here.
