*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules
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The Ryanair Novice Chase, the Allana Homes Champion Novices Hurdle and the Champion 4 Year Old Hurdle take place at Punchestown from Thursday, April 29 to Saturday, May 1.
Paddy Power Trader Frank Hickey and top pundit Ruby Walsh assess the field on the latest edition of Paddy Power’s From the Horses Mouth podcast, ahead of next week’s showcase Festival that brings the curtain down on the Irish jumps season.
- Check out all the latest Horse Racing tips and previews now
Thursday, April 29 – Ryanair Novice Chase
Unless for some reason Shiskin or Envoi Allen run here, it looks a great opportunity for Energumene to extend his unbeaten run over fences. It’s a difficult race to price as you obviously have two top-class horses entered against him but they are very unlikely to run. So in reality his price now will be much shorter if Shihskin and Envoi Allen don’t turn up, as expected.
In terms of finding value, Energumene is probably the only value and I hope he puts in another impressive display. I can’t wait until he turns over Shishkin next season. I really wasn’t taken Shishkin’s win in the Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree.
Friday, April 30 – Champion Novices Hurdle
Bob Olinger was so impressive at Cheltenham and it is difficult to see what beats him if he replicates that level of form again. I honestly couldn’t pick a certain runner, so it would be a race I’d probably avoid at this stage.
However, if Galopin Des Champs was to turn up, he would be a big danger to Bob Olinger. He was a big improver in the Martin Pipe Hurdle, winning very impressively on his first start at 2m 4f. He is now rated 150 and Bob Olinger is rated 159, so he would need to improve again to match the Ballymore Novices Hurdle winner. However, Galopin Des Champs is unexposed at the trip, so he could well improve another 5-7lbs.
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Saturday, May 01 – Champion 4 Year Old Hurdle
Quilixios is currently the antepost favourite, but can he uphold the Triumph form? I’m not sure that the better ground on a sharper track is going to be ideal for him, though he is now five from five over hurdles.
Haut En Couleurs hadn’t run since October, so I thought it was a massive effort from him to be third in the Triumph Hurdle and he has a big chance of reversing the form now. His price looks fair enough at this stage.
Jeff Kidder is improving and won the Grade Two at Fairyhouse in fine style. He needs more here but juveniles can improve plenty when they get on a bit of a roll and I wouldn’t discount him.
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules
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