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14:00 Thedevilscoachman
THEDEVILSCOACHMAN looks open to further improvement and can land this listed novice hurdle for Noel Meade and Mark Walsh. The five-year-old is rated 1lb higher than the Willie Mullins trained Power Of Pause but carries 1lb less against his slightly older rival. The JP McManus owned runner was just ahead of Fire Attack when fifth and sixth behind Appreciate It at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Appreciate It, who remains Paddy’s ante-post favourite for the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival next month landed another Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown last weekend. Thedevilscoachman returns quickly after a hands and heels victory under Walsh at Navan 16-days-ago and could produce a better turn of foot to see off Power Of Pause. The Mullins runner finished third to Dreal Deal in the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown, with Fire Attack a late faller having weakened in the closing stages.
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15:00 Jungle Boogie
The second-division of the 2m 4f maiden hurdle looks a much easier affair in my opinion with JUNGLE BOOGIE the obvious selection for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The Malcolm Denmark owned runner can remain unbeaten and follow up his bumper success at Clonmel last November with victory today. Despite his age, Mullins described the now seven-year-old as a slightly immature but a nice big jumping type for the future.
The form of that victory is nothing special but the second, Angels Dawn has been unlucky not to score in several bumpers having raced consistently since for Sam Curling. This race is not going to take much winning and I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul Townend dominates from the front and wins comfortably. Moonshot ran well when third to Keskonrisk at Fairyhouse in November, while Dromahane point-to-point winner Broomfields Kan could reach the frame on his rules debut.
Not a betting race but one that should finish with Paul Townend passing the post first.
15:30 Pictures Of Home
This 3m handicap hurdle is the first of two-races on the Punchestown card this Sunday where Paddy is paying an extra-place with 5-places on offer. This race has only been one once in the past ten-years by a horse carrying over 11-stone and with that in mind, PICTURES OF HOME looks interesting. The five-year-old is still a maiden but catches my attention with Jack Kennedy remaining in the saddle for Ted Walsh, who won this race with Colbert Station in 2013.
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The son of Gentlewave was only beaten a ½ length when second behind Free Thought at Naas in December, before going off favourite when stepping up in trip on his handicap debut at this venue last month. Walsh, who only trains down the road in Kill has decided to continue with this longer trip and he’s worth another chance today. Exciting Oscar should run well again having won here in November with Shar Whats Therush.
16:30 The Big Dog
In similar fashion to our earlier extra-place race on the card, the Punchestown Grand National Trial has only seen one horse carry 11-stone or more to victory in the past decade and Paddy is paying 5-places in the feature. The Gigginstown team are well represented with a total of six declared runners with General Principle also in reserve if needed. Gordon Elliott trains several of those runners for Michael O’Leary and won this race twice in the past three years, with Folsom Blue and Dounikos.
THE BIG DOG is my selection here and perhaps not original with Peter Fahey’s novice looking appealing now stepping up in trip on his handicap debut. The son of Mahler has only raced four-times over fences, coming third to Colreevy, unseating behind Eklat De Rire and finishing third in runs here and at Navan. He showed signs of staying on late when beaten and hopefully he can follow in the footsteps of Coko Beach by becoming another novice to land a big handicap this season.
17:00 Starman
STARMAN can hopefully reach for the sky and develop into a similar type to his half-sister Laurina who won her first six-career starts under the care of Willie Mullins. The five-year-old was purchased for €50,000 at the Arqana sale in Deauville in 2018 and now races in the colours of Michael Ronayne. The Closutton team has a 25% strike-rate in bumpers at Punchestown in the past five-seasons and previously won this race with Shady Willow (2006), Celtic Folklore (2011) and Battleford in 2016.
Gordon Elliott has already managed success for owners Andrew and Gemma Brown this season and Mylestown Upper makes his debut for them today. Minealla Universe for John Nallen along with Fantasy Island and Shake Him Up for Emmet Mullins all require watching in the market. Tucson Train has the best form of those with experience with the former Tinahely point-to-point winner finishing second behind Ramillies at Leopardstown over Christmas.
James’ tips at Punchestown on Sunday
14:00 Thedevilscoachman
15:00 Jungle Boogie
15:30 Pictures Of Home
16:30 The Big Dog
17:00 Starman
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