Punchestown preview as the jumps are back

"The Jumps are back at Punchestown" is music to the ears of the fervent National Hunt racing fan as the big hitters re-emerge at the home of Irish Jumps racing this week.

The track’s first jumps meeting of the season offers up Festival winners and future stars, along with doughty and hardened handicappers.

Its these stout handicappers who provide punters with most intrigue on today’s card in the big betting races, while Zanahiyr is the star attraction. bet365 is offering €30 in free bets along with enhanced/extra places in the 2.25, 4.10 and 4.45:

1.50 Punchestown - 'Don't Mind The Flat, The Jumps Are Back' 3-Y-O Hurdle

Won in the past by the likes of Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’allen, the opener on the day features plenty with potential.

Preference is for Wodhooh, previously trained in the UK by Sir Michael Stoute. The well-bred three-year-old made a promising start on her hurdles debut at Listowel last month where she was beaten a short head before being awarded the race in the stewards’ room.

Now trained by Gordon Elliott, the progressive filly finished in front of some promising types on her debut for the Cullentra trainer and she is fancied to improve further.

Pigeon House has been knocking on the door, having finished second on his last two starts and is another to consider. Trained by Jessie Harrington, the son of Saxon Warrior is weighted better than other promising sorts Cossack Chach and Our Boy Wes.

3.00 Punchestown - Paddy Power Hurdle

Zanahiyr is the standout performer in the feature race of the day over two and a quarter miles. The highlight has only attracted three runners and he should be well capable of seeing off his two rivals Run For Oscar and Andy Dufresne.

Whilst he hasn’t won since October 2021, this talented hurdler has been running at the top level, having finished third in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and fifth behind State Man in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April. This looks a great opportunity for Gordon Elliott’s smart sort to get his head in front once again off level weights.

Charles Byrnes’ Run For Oscar comes here race fit following his excellent effort in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp where he finished third behind Trueshan. His hurdles form is inferior to Zanahiyr’s but it would not be a surprise to see him serve it up to the favourite with a visor back on.

Andy Dufresne is a course winner, however he is likely to improve for the run.

4.45 Punchestown - Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle

Two-time course winner Glenquin Castle should go well under Mark Walsh for JP McManus in this handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs. The nine-year-old, who racked up a sequence of wins in 2021, got back to winning ways when he struck over fences at Galway last month recording a career best and the Martin Brassil-trained nine-year-old races off a 6lb lower hurdles mark.

A Great View is another to consider, also carrying the green and gold of JP McManus with Charlie O'Dwyer in the saddle. Trained by Denis Cullen and having won on his penultimate start, in which he beat a subsequent winner, this twelve-year-old has O'Dwyer taking 6lb off his back and a big run is expected.

Hand Over Fist has scored on two of his last three outings and must also be considered for Henry de Bromhead.The lightly-raced six-year-old looks to still be progressing.

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