All national hunt card for Punchestown
There is an all national hunt card down for decision at Punchestown today and with the ground remaining on the fast side due to the current dry spell, the fields are pretty small with the exception of the concluding bumper.
The most valuable race of the afternoon is the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap Steeplechase over two miles and with a dozen runners facing the starter it promises to be a very competitive affair.
Ceannairceach managed to get his head in front in a similar contest at Listowel two weeks ago and this excellent jumper is sure to make a bold bid to follow up.
However, he may be hard pressed to confirm recent form with Theseus and the long absent Khairabar while others that make plenty of appeal are Noel Meade’s Fable who will have the fast ground that he requires and Jessica Harrington’s Mr Wong who has finished runner up on all three steeplechase outings to date.
Michael O’Brien’s Statim justified strong market support when winning a maiden hurdle at Listowel in mid-September and she must have sound claims of staging a repeat performance in the Panoramic Restaurant Mares Novice Hurdle.
However, Jessica Harrington’s Slaney Fox is likely to be a big threat.
The Harrington stable is likely to have a big say in the destination of the Arthurstown Hurdle with recent course winner Quest For A Star sure to go very close although the Noel Meade-trained King’s Orchard will prove difficult to beat on his overall form despite suffering a fall over fences at Listowel last time out.
Curragh trainer Dessie Hughes saddled Chain to win at Down Royal recently and this fast ground specialist could well go in again in the Peggy Barry-Walsh Memorial Hurdle over three miles while Tony Martin’s Royal County Buck can take the Ingoldsby QR Handicap Steeplechase over the same distance.
The concluding Blackhills Pro-Am Flat Race has attracted the biggest field of the day with 24 facing the starter and with some interesting newcomers engaged a close eye will have to be kept on the betting market but of those with previous racecourse form the Charlie Swan-trained He’s My Man may prove best with Michael Halford’s Lorikeet likely to figure prominently again.
3.00 Kings Orchard
3.30 Slaney Fox
4.00 Chain
4.30 Royal County Buck
5.00 Khairabar
5.30 He’s My Man
