Today's Tips: Do Be Doin’ destined to dominate at Punchestown
The seven-year-old made his seasonal debut at Thurles last month and ran a remarkable race to finish second behind Rightville Boy.
He was all but brought to a standstill by the fall of Kilcrea, who re-opposes, at the second-last fence, but was able to regain his momentum and get up late for second place.
As that was his first run since May, he’s entitled to show the benefit of it and, with no concerns about the ground or longer trip and the near certainty that he’s capable of scoring off his current market, he should take beating.
The danger may come from Winter Magic, who remains unexposed as a chaser. Winner of three point to points and a maiden hunters’ chase, he is certainly capable off his current mark, and should run well if fit enough on his first run since June.
Another of interest is He Rock’s, who enjoys a significant drop in class, having struggled in the Troytown Chase on his most recent outing.
The Pounds must have strong claims in the two-mile handicap hurdle, which closes the card. Tom Foley’s horse reached a high of 123 over hurdles, but a series of modest efforts resulted in him slipping back down to a mark of 106. Running off that figure in a handicap last time, he showed first signs of a return to form, when third behind Oscar Sam at Clonmel.
The winner gave the form a boost when following up at Punchestown last weekend, suggesting The Pounds is still on a very manageable mark.
Though dropping back half a mile to the minimum trip, his only success to date came in a maiden hurdle over two miles, on similarly testing ground. If, as expected, he can take a step forward from his seasonal debut, he’ll be in there pitching at the end of the race.
Min, one of the ‘talking horses’ of the season, makes his long-awaited debut for Willie Mullins this afternoon and, if he’s to justify his position at the head of the market for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, will have to win the Festival Hospitality On Sale Maiden Hurdle with something to spare.
Long-odds players will have long faces if the four-year-old Walk In The Park gelding doesn’t deliver, but on this occasion he’s likely to be over-bet and under-priced due to the hype which surrounds him.
Those looking for an alternative could do worse than siding with Henry de Bromhead’s Double Island. The latter showed real promise when runner-up to Open Eagle on his only start to date over hurdles and is likely to take a step forward from that effort. With the run under his belt, he could put it up to Min.
