Consistent Archie Boy can pounce again

PUNCHESTOWN eight days ago recorded no less than 54 non-runners. Racing returns to the track this evening and, with generally massive fields and the sun baking down yesterday, it will be more than interesting to note how the programme finally shapes up.

Only three are due to face the starter in the Go Racing In Kildare Chase and, on the basis that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, Archie Boy gets the nap.

If the handicapper is right then Archie Boy should fail narrowly to See U Bob, the latter being 2lbs better in compared to a handicap.

Archie Boy, however, loves a fast surface and has been an admirable and consistent moneyspinner for a while now for the Paul Flynn yard.

He won at Killarney last month, when badly treated at the weights, powering clear from the last to give Lucky Wish 10lbs and a three lengths beating.

See U Bob hasn’t been seen since disappointing at Aintree, seventh to Tataniano, and has four places and eight and a half lengths to find with the selection on that running.

He is, however, clearly better than that, as evidenced by his two and a half lengths second behind ill-fated Citizen Vic at Leopardstown previously.

Oilily is easily the best horse in the 25-runner Dobbins’ Panoramic Restaurant Mares Maiden Hurdle, but this is her first time over jumps and that’s always a concern.

The seven-year-old’s two lengths second to Hidden Universe in the champion bumper at the Punchestown Festival was a cracking effort and, hopefully, her technique will prove more than adequate.

Arthur Moore’s Theatre Festival, beaten by Taking Stock at Killarney and successful in a fast ground bumper at Gowran Park, looks the one to beat in the Visit punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle.