Switch From Diesel can make it fifth time lucky over hurdles

Ross O'Sullivan's best chance comes in the second race, the Ladbrokes Mares Maiden Hurdle, where Switch From Diesel can make it fifth time lucky over hurdles.

Echoing Silence and Darragh O'Keeffe (far) win the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed) from Switch From Diesel (near). Pic: Healy Racing.

The in-form Ross O’Sullivan sends six horses to Punchestown on Wednesday eveningand it’ll be a surprise if he fails to land at least one winner at his local track.

His best chance comes in the second race, the Ladbrokes Mares Maiden Hurdle, where Switch From Diesel can make it fifth time lucky over hurdles.

A three-time bumper winner who also won on her sole start on the Flat last November, this daughter of Yeats found one too good in her first two starts over obstacles.

However, O’Sullivan saw enough in those two efforts to deem Switch From Diesel worthy of Grade One company.

And, while beaten by nearly 20 lengths by I’ll Sort That, the seven-year-old mare ran a more than respectable race to finish fourth in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Naas in January before fading late on when eighth on bottomless ground in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The task that awaits her at Punchestown is considerably less demanding and she should be far more comfortable on a sounder surface.

It’ll be a disappointment if she fails to deliver.

Stablemate Spanish Maid has decent claims in the second division of the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle.

Runner-up on stable debut over fences at Wexford in March, the eight-year-old mare claimed her first career win when justifying even-money favouritism in a Tramore handicap last month.

She’s clearly relishing her new surroundings and ought to close if she can transfer her recent chasing form to the smaller obstacles.

Captains Speech can land the spoils in the fifth race, a maiden hurdle.

A point-to-point winner at Dromahane for Mark Scallan in April 2024, Captains Speech made an encouraging debut for Henry de Bromhead when second in a maiden hurdle at Cork in March before again finding one too good at Wexford last time out.

He steps up to three miles for this assignment and should get his head in front this time.

Darren Norris' picks:

Punchestown

4.47 Noemie De La Vis 

5.20 Switch From Diesel (Nap) 

5.50 Low Style 

6.20 Spanish Maid (NB) 

6.50 Captains Speech 

7.20 Where Are You Now 

7.50 Annie Button 

8.20 Oogum Boogum 

Next best 

4.47 Porcupine Bank 

5.20 Salsinha

5.50 Hickeys Hill 

6.20 Tippin And Tappin 

6.50 Quest For Answers 

7.20 Wakey Wakey Man 

7.50 Oogum Boogum 

8.20 Working Class Hero