Punchestown Festival 2011 - Day 3 Supporting Races

Empire Levant (middle) - Can go much better at Punchestown

There’s a lot of quality fare at Punchestown tomorrow but there’s not enough time or need for spotlights so we’ll put the best chances here instead.

There’s a decent 4 year old hurdle at 3.20 and one that may be going back to Britain, with three top trains holding useful chances. Paul Nicholls’ Empire Levant is preferred, with the switch to properly good ground (very tacky surface when he was second to Sire De Grugy last time out). His Grade 2 second has been boosted by the winner since, and his earlier form was progressive. He needs a lot of looking at for a stable that has had plenty of success in the past.  Street Entertainer trashed a 130 rated horse last time out and probably has more to come but this is a harder task altogether and First In The Queue shaped as if something was amiss last time at Aintree, so it will take a leap of faith to back him. Rigidity would have been unplaced had Chaperoned, Fearless Falcon and Devils Bit all not fallen last time out and he’s readily taken on.

Lambro (middle) - Can go close again

The Irish Daily Mirror Hurdle has had some below par renewals but you couldn’t argue that this year’s renewal isn’t under-contested. Favourite Bishopsfurze could well enjoy this trip on good ground but he’s made numerous mistakes all through this season and that could cost him here if he were to do the same. With that in mind, it’s hard to be too sweet on him in a close contest. Knockifierna has proved a revelation over hurdles this season and competed a 4 timer at Fairyhouse when last seen but this is a much tougher contest and there are doubts in the form of her latest win. The same could be said too for Saint Are, who had little left to beat after the disappointment of numerous form horses who hadn’t recovered from festival exertions. Add the fact that Back In Focus didn’t handle the ground and Court In Motion fell when still in it two out, and you’ve got a questionable race.

Another Aintree winner, Battle Group, is of more interest having gotten over his temperament issues to come fourth in the Coral Cup and then bolting up in a competitive handicap at the Aintree meeting. He’s just passed over in favour of Lambro, who’s got a slight penalty to carry for a gutsy success at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. He found plenty to deny Mackey’s Forge and the reopposing Last Instalment (who does run over a trip he wants on better terms). He’ll have it hard off his weight but at least he’s resolute and has with doubts over the form of the others, he’s worth an each/way bet.

The betchronicle.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (6.05) is always a well contested and tight affair and this year’s no different. Cheltenham form is strongly represented but is only held by two horses. Aupcharlie was a cracking third in the Champion Bumper but Go All The Way didn’t have his race – fitness or experience when a keeping on fourth in the same event. Admittedly Aupcharlie’s chances weren’t helped by going very wide but he was very prominent at the home turn and Go All The Way finished hand over fist to get fourth and he should be closer here under the steering of top bumper rider Derek O’Connor, not to mention the fact he’ll be much more primed for this physically, and should know his job well.

Waaheb is favourite but the best price available is 5/4 and that looks on the short side for a race which is this fiercely contested. Faster ground shouldn’t be a problem but the form of his listed success took a big knock when the runner up was unplaced having had the experience advantage over most and these are far deeper waters, for all that he could be special.

A bigger threat may be Steps To Freedom, who represents a Gordon Elliott stable that can do little wrong at present and impressed with his Grade 2 victory at Aintree's Grand National meeting. The runner up had won a big event and was well regarded while the same comments apply to the third from that race. He also makes a lot of appeal but it’s shown in his price.

Of the others, Jenari (easily beaten by Waaheb first time out) has a good ground win to his name and Lovethehigherlaw looked a little slow last time. Mullins’s bumper crop may not be quite as strong this year.

Advice

2 pts win Empire Levant, 4.20 Punchestown (Best SP)

1 pt each/way Lambro, 4.55 Punchestown (8/1 Paddy Power)

1 pt each/way Go All The Way, 6.05 Punchestown (12/1 Boylesports)