Punchestown Day 2 preview

The Grade 1 Bet Online With TheTote.com Punchestown Gold Cup is the highlight of Punchestown's day two action. See what our team makes of that three mile one furlong event and indeed the other six races on the programme.

3.40 QUESTIONS ANSWERED could be well-in compared to his hurdle mark. He is better known as a chaser (rated 131) but competes here from a low enough level. He was well beaten on his last two handicap hurdle starts but those were seasonal reappearance runs and he could be on a winning mark now. The Crafty Butcher won well latest and has claims from his mark while Treat Yourself, Brian Who and British raider Chavoy have each been running well in handicaps and should be competitive. Never Enough Time was an easy winner latest but gives away plenty weight while Art Lord is another consider following his good maiden win latest. (TW)

4.20 This is a bit of a guessing game with CALL ME BUBBLES tipped in the hope he will prove better than his 124 rating in time. He was a smart Flat performer and was given time to get things right by his trainer before winning well at Navan in March, beating Courage. Today's rival Bayan was himself three parts of a length too strong for Courage at Cork but won again since (at Dundalk) and has solid claims. The selection's stablemate Viconte du Noyer is the dark horse and could well prove good enough to win, under the owner's retained rider. He won at Auteuil on his latest/third start in April 2012 (with Mullins' future subsequent Grade 2 winner Blood Cotil in fourth) and is registered as being with Mullins since January 2013. He is could be anything and market moves in his direction must be noted. Dalasiri gives the race a solid form guide and while likely to figure, may be vulnerable to a few improving types. Gassin Golf was smart on the Flat (rated 92 on last run) but is still a maiden having run well on hurdle debut before pulling up in the Triumph Hurdle. (TW)

4.55 This could revolve around how good a judge Ruby Walsh is. He has chosen to ride BALLYCASEY over Inish Island and the stablemates look the pick on form. BALLYCASEY was due to run in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham but was pulled out on the morning of the race due to a blood abnormality. Inish Island, who has improved dramatically, went on to finish third in that same race and is now rated 2lbs higher than the selection. That said, BALLYCASEY has yet to be given a chance to prove how good he actually is and is given the nod here. Road To Riches has looked a promising type but ran dreadfully at Aintree and is on something of a retrieval mission while Seefood and Jennies Jewel are capable of placing. Morning Assembly has plenty to prove at this level while Follow The Sign needs to find vast improvement. (TW)

5.30 Official ratings often don't count for much as the end of a tough season arrives for many horses. With four outings under his belt this campaign, maybe CAPTAIN CHRIS is capable of 'going to the well' one last time before his summer break. He might 'last it out' better around here than when mown-down late on by Long Run in the King George. Sir Des Champs had a bit of grueller in the Gold Cup and he is passed over as favourite here. Chicago Grey seemed to show the benefit of a wind-op when winning at Navan in February. He didn't enjoy the Aintree experience in the National last time but he could well out-run his odds now. First Lieutenant has been pretty busy this season and it's a tough ask to expect him to turn up here and beat these. Kauto Stone looks a horse to catch at the start of a term but he's possibly dangerous now freshened-up off a break. The vibes have been good about Long Run and a bold effort seems certain from this hardy, classy performer. Quito De La Roque could well be better going this way around and the course and distance winner will likely start at an attractive price for an each-way play. Riverside Theatre has had more than one 'tough day at the office,' at this stage, and he'd be a surprise winner in my book. (EM)

6.05 BRIAR HILL saves his best for the track, a great trait in any horse, and he can remain unbeaten under Rules. He impressed all viewers and even more importantly, the man up top in Ruby Walsh, when slamming the opposition in the Cheltenham Bumper. From the immediate family of Tuesday's Grade 1 contender, Boston Bob Briar Hill will be hard to beat if bringing his top level of performance to the table. The Mighty Milan has been well-touted in some quarters for this event and it's easy to see why, looking through his form. It's difficult enough to see Derek O'Connor's mount out of the frame. Blackmail is likely better than he showed at Cheltenham and he is worthy of respect. Outlander won a good race at Naas in February – that's sufficient to give him every chance again now. (EM)

6.40 Winner of the Dan Moore here in February, LASTOFTHELEADERS is likely to be well-primed for this. The ten-year-old won his bumper at the Festival in 2009 and it's interesting to note that Paul Carberry takes the reins on the Supreme Leader gelding now for the first time. Nadiya De La Vega has to be respected after her Fairyhouse win whilst a horse that was third at the Easter Festival, Klepht can contend for a place in the frame again. Navan first and second, Sumkindasuprstar and Mr Cracker are certainly entitled to enter the equation considering that was a Grade 2 event at Proudstown Park. That pair have attractive racing weights here thanks to the presence of the 160-rated Rubi Light at the head of the handicap. Canaly is another one that's not out of it. (EM)

7.15 Punchestown supremo Dick O'Sullivan is part of the Two's Company Syndicate that owns CHUTE HALL and he may be worth a few Euro each-way here. Granted all he's done so far is win a two-finisher point-to-point but the Milan gelding is an attractive type and he went to the line strongly that day at Belclare, Tuam. Tom Cooper said after that success: "He's real tough – there's no end to him. He wouldn't be out of place in a bumper and he'll probably go for a point-to-pointers one now." The two and a quarter mile trip should bring Chute Hall's stamina into play to some degree and with his best work likely to come at the end, the five-year-old could well sneak into the frame. Of course there are several more obvious contenders than Chute Hall with the likes of Sizing Chile catching the eye. However the selection should provide a bit of value. (EM)