Going update After all the top class action over the weekend, it's back to more low key fare at Punchestown this afternoon where the first of seven races, all sponsored by online bookmaker SBK, gets under way at 1.20pm. Following 2mm of rain since entries, the ground is described as Soft to Heavy. It's set to be mainly dry today with a possibility of light drizzle. The inside straight on the Hurdle course will be employed on the first circuit, finishing on the main straight. All races will finish on the same racing line. There has been a growing trend of classy, highly-rated chasers trying their hand at cross-country races at a relatively young age and we see further evidence of that in the opener where Coko Beach and Stattler face off. The latter was runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in last year's Irish Gold Cup and ran well behind Allaho at Thurles recently while Coko Beach, rated 1lb higher than his market rival, landed the Troytown in November before finishing second in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree. Both nine-year-olds are having their first runs in this discipline.
