Get ready for more fascinating Grade 1 action at Punchestown, with the Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan two of the headline acts in yet another standout weekend of Horse Racing action
So, come and check out some of the best bets to place below, all based on the latest horse racing odds from our website and app.
Written by Jake Wilkes
*All odds are subject to change
Saturday 12:32 Punchestown – 2 PT WIN | Kitzbuhel (TBC)
Connections are wasting little time sending Kitzbuhel over fences, and he is set to line up in a competitive beginners chase on Saturday.
At the time of writing, his rivals include 139-rated stablemate Kaid d’Authie, 140-rated Shuffle The Deck and James’s Gate, who was third in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.
While it’s unclear who will line up at this stage, Kitzbuhel will have Paul Townend aboard, who will be hoping to make a seamless transition to the larger obstacles.
Kitzbuhel was sent off favourite for the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, and finished a close third in the Grade 2 Bet365 Hurdle at Sandown last season. He is an exciting horse and seems slightly forgotten by racing fans due to a couple of defeats.
Sunday 12:13 Punchestown – 2PT WIN | Copacabana (TBC)
Continuing with the Mullins selections, Copacabana make his hurdle debut and brings some high-level bumper form to the contest.
He won on debut, before finishing mid pack in the champion bumper and running respectably in the Grade 1 Punchestown flat race.
What I found eye-catching was Patrick Mullins choosing to ride him in the Cheltenham contest, when he would have had the pick of the Mullins runners.
Evidently the team think a lot of him, and stepping up in trip looks to be a positive move. Green Splendour and He Can’t Dance are both entered at this stage, and will ensure it’s not an easy race for Copacabana.
Sunday 1:17 Punchestown – 2 PT WIN | Fun Fun Fun (TBC)
Dropping back in trip shouldn’t be too much of an issue for Fun Fun Fun, who can tidy up this mares hurdle before going back over fences.
It appears she will be ‘blowing off the cobwebs’ but nevertheless, this is a weak race and a nice starting point to collect some easy prize money.
She was part of the Mullins battalion that raided the UK last campaign, as the Closutton trainer went in search of the UK trainers’ title.
There should be a handful of runners – and Mozzie’s Sister will probably rate as the biggest danger.
Sunday 3:00 Punchestown – 2PT WIN | Fact To File (TBC)
While it won’t be a formality, Fact To File boasts an excellent chance of retaining the Grade 1 John Durkan after success in last year’s contest.
This is a star-studded renewal, but one that sees many of his rivals now better over longer trips and with different targets down the line.
But I expect the exciting Ryanair winner to be fully tuned up for this one, and eventually have too much speed for his rivals.
The Antepost of 2/1 for him to win this year’s Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could seem a big price after this weekend.
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