Danny Power can build on debut success at Punchestown
POWER PLAY: Danny Power and Darragh O'Keeffe jump the last en route to victory at Listowel last month. Picture: Healy Racing
Danny Power can build on impressive debut success at Listowel last month when he contests the William Hill Challenge Series 3-Y-O Hurdle, the opening contest on Punchestown's eight-race National Hunt card on Tuesday.
The John Queally-trained son of Blue Bresil made quite the impression on his racecourse debut, firstly on jockey Mark Walsh who he kicked out at pre-race causing him to be stood down for the day, and then on his 10 rivals who he comprehensively outclassed in the hands of replacement rider Darragh O'Keeffe.
That he was able to bolt up in such impressive fashion after expending so much pre-race energy suggests he’s a pretty useful prospect and a penalty for that win may not be enough to stop him following up.
Walsh is back on board on Tuesday and the veteran jockey will hope for a better experience this time.
Later on the card, The Rebel Fox gets the vote in the maiden hurdle.
Second in two point-to-points at the start of year, the Ross-O’Sullivan-trained Idaho gelding shaped well on his first start over hurdles when fifth of 14 at Naas in March. He then built on that run when finding only Lemmy Caution too good at Punchestown in May, the front two pulling well clear of their rivals.
In Pat O's Rock, a runaway winner at Kilbeggan last month, and recent Navan fourth Ealu Tapa, The Rebel Fox faces two useful rivals but he may be able to land the spoils if ready to rock on his first start for 153 days.
Facing just four rivals, Buddy One looks to have been found a good opportunity to get back to winning ways in the third race on the card.
The Paul Gilligan-trained nine-year-old is winless in his last nine starts but ran his best race in a while when third to Paul’s Dream and Grann’s Boy at Galway last month.
He may not need to take a big step forward on that effort to claim a sixth career win here.
1.35 Danny Power (Nap)
2.10 Chantilly Wings
2.45 Buddy One
3.20 Warmer Days Ahead
3.55 The Rebel Fox (NB)
4.30 Granlahan
5.07 Leo Messy
5.40 Shuil Solas
1.35 Sea Of Dubka
2.10 Zuzukel
2.45 Sandor Clegane
3.20 Milan Forth
3.55 Pat O's Rock
4.30 Another Challenge
5.07 G N Jefferson
5.40 Junction Road
