Leopardstown Conflated and Jack Kennedy win The Savills Chase © Photo Healy Racing
Yesterday’s action at Punchestown provided the perfect prelude to today’s high-class card, where Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, Cross Country specialist Delta Work and Savills Chase winner Conflated, are among the distinguished line up.
Emma Nagle takes an in-depth look at the feature races on the card and unearths an each-way fancy on a day featuring a host of hot favourites.
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1.50 Punchestown - BetVictor Predictor Maiden Hurdle
Captain Cee Bee, Labaik, Samcro and Marine Nationale are some of the stars who have graced this maiden hurdle on their way to Cheltenham glory, but with last years Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share a non-runner, it is unlikely we will see one of that quality now.
Yet, it will be interesting to see how Fascile Mode shapes for the Tom Mullins yard. The Walk In The Park gelding won a good bumper at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, and while maybe not quite top level in the bumper sphere, he has a good opportunity here to get off the mark over hurdles in what now looks a weak contest.
Barometer has an each-way chance, John Murphy’s gelding is race-fit on the back of a flat campaign, and previous experience jumping may stand to him.
Qatar Spirit, a winner in his native France, albeit many years ago, showed much improved form last time at Gowran and may fill the placings again.
3.35 Punchestown - BetVictor Proud Sponsors Of Irish Racing Novice Steeplechase (Grade 3)
29 5 23 Ballinrobe Hercule Du Seuil and Jody McGarvey win the McHale Tiger Roll Beginners Steeplechase © Photo Healy Racing
Favourites have been lucky here, with 10 of the last 15 renewals going to the market leader, and Hercule Du Seuil is likely to keep that trend going. Although unlikely to be his trainers leading Arkle hope, the Saddler Maker gelding has been making hay in early season graded chases, possibly before stiffer opposition emerges. A slick jumper, he could make them suffer from the front.
Lucid Dreams receives 9lbs from the favourite which may aid his cause. Trainer John Ryan has been vocal in praise for this horse and the stable have hopes he may turn into a Grade One performer in time. Although he was very impressive at Sligo on first run over fences, he is likely one to excel over an extended trip and may have to concede defeat to the more experienced Hercule Du Seuil.
Senecia got the better of Hercule Du Seuil on chasing debut in Ballinrobe. He is getting plenty of weight from his old rival here however he will need to improve on recent efforts to hold any real claims.
4.10 Punchestown - Irish Daily Star - Best For Racing Coverage Steeplechase (Grade 3)
Leopardstown 28 December 2022 Conflated and Jack Kennedy won The Savills Chase Grade 1 © Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott has a fine record of sending out winners in this race and is strongly represented again here. Conflated looks to be first string for the yard and is a worthy favourite here. The nine-year-old can be forgiven for disappointing at Aintree on his final start last season and should have benefited from a break. Although he can take a run, he will not need to be at his best to take this contest.
Delta Work, for the same connections, is classy on his day but this is likely just a starting point ahead of another cross-country campaign.
Former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo can never be dismissed too lightly. He starts this campaign much earlier in comparison to last season, when he was victorious on New Year's Day. It may be a case of the trainer wanting to bring him along slowly, and so is likely a watching brief on this occasion.
Panda Boy is interesting for shrewd connections. Still only a seven-year-old, he ran a fine race in last year's Irish National. He can often take the run, but if fit for this he could run a nice race.
4.45 Punchestown - Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor (Q.R.) Handicap Steeplechase
Soloman Lane orange and black © Photo Healy Racing
On a day where short-priced favourites look likely to dominate, Soloman Lane could be worth a bet at each-way prices. Lightly raced for an eight-year-old, he has won at the track before and should have more to come off only 4lbs higher than that winning mark.
A jockey booking can count for a lot in these Q.R races, and a very experienced amateur is taking 5lbs off for trainer Martin Hassett here.
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