Punchestown 2014 - Punchestown Gold Cup

5.30 Punchestown

Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner €120,000 - 9 run

Advice: 1 pt win On His Own (4/1 general)

Argocat: Experienced now in these big events but still only 6 and career best effort in Aintree Bowl when ahead of disappointing First Lieutenant; That form (which is backed up by Grade 2 win beforehand) gives him a realistic chance here.

Boston Bob: Had become disappointing following novice chase campaign of huge promise despite jumping issues last year but stamina that didn’t come into play as hoped in Ryanair saw him power away to land Melling Chase at Aintree, much the best from the last to the line; Jumping seems to have been sorted out based on that pair of runs and returned to three miles, an obvious chance here.

First Lieutenant: As good as any on his day but this season possibly a disappointment now, having had no answer to Last Instalment or flashing Tidal Bay in Irish Hennessy and then laboured fourth at Aintree latest; First time blinkers may be the oracle today and known to reach peak with racing, although he has something to prove now.

Folidubh: Has been a grand servant but 6tih in Lexus as good as he is over a staying distance and limp efforts the last twice not much of a encouragement.

Long Run: Second in this last year would give him best form chance but since not run up to the same form and jumping issues still a problem based on falls in King George and Grand National this year; This still not beyond him but all this season’s efforts suggests he will struggle.

Lyreen Legend: Fantastic novice campaign last year before disappointing here; Top level has been just beyond him in three major staying chases, well there in the Gold Cup but fading in the finish as he has done on three other occasions

Medermit: Looked very much as if staying races should be on domain but not won since 2011 and long time off following fourth in Aintree Bowl; Not shown much of old spark in two runs this season and hard to envisage going well.

Noble Prince: Won Listed chase at Thurles in good style in November and good effort at Cork latest but that a different level based on what he’s going to need here.

On His Own: Tried and failed twice at Grand National but quickly proven he’s a far better horse than showed there and after winning Thyestes Chase again, put classy Mount Benulben aside in Bobbyjo Chase, earning a Cheltenham Gold Cup tilt that may well have ended in glory if he’d been able to stay straight in last 100 yards; Still a fine run and likely to take the beating today.

VERDICT: There have been some recent shocks in this race and using that trail of thought, Argocat deserves some respect after a solid effort at Aintree, but ON HIS OWN had been shaping as a graded horse even before his fantastic Gold Cup effort and he is preferred over stablemate Boston Bob in what’s a tight call. Doubts over Lyreen Legend’s stamina make him hard to recommend and the blinkers may be the oracle for First Lieutenant, although he was very disappointing at Aintree.