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Preview punchestown 2nd May

Fri 1st May 2009, 13:50

The Punchestown Festival comes to an end with yet another Grade One showdown as the juveniles get their moment in the spotlight in the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

Mourad fared best of the Irish contingent when third in the Triumph Hurdle, improving past his Leopardstown conqueror Jumbo Rio, who is back for more here.

Tharawaat was down the field at Cheltenham but still has to enter the equation, while the unbeaten Kaprun is the unknown quantity.

There is a big prize up for grabs in the Whitewater Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle and Sesenta heads a four-strong assault from the Willie Mullins yard as the champion trainer bids to continue his excellent week.

Mansony and Northern Alliance revert to timber off attractive marks, while Sarteano, Smoking Aces and P'Tit Fute are just three others to consider in a wide-open contest.

The action commences with The Irish Field Chase at 1.10, in which Wedger Pardy attempts to supplement his win earlier in the week.

Drombeag and Dix Villez have solid cross-country credentials, though, while Yaboya is an interesting addition to Enda Bolger's banks squad.

Stablemate Quevega aside, Serpentaria can lay claims to being the best mare in training and gets her chance to prove that in the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association EBF Mares Hurdle.

Give It Time and Aura About You present stern threats, however, as do Shirley Casper and last week's Cork winner Callherwhatulike.

Previous winners Agus A Vic and Whyso Mayo go to post for the Cox's Cash & Carry Champion Hunters Chase and set the standard the likes of Juveigneur, Amicelli and Baby Run must aspire to.

Alan King sends Cheltenham third Nenuphar Collonges over and he heads the weights for the victorchandler.com Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase, but with the likes of One Cool Cookie, Patsy Hall, Pomme Tiepy and According To John in opposition, his task under 11st 10lb is a tough one.

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