Mick Fitzgerald: It’ll be Boum to bust Kemboy and Monalee in the Gold Cup

Will Al Boum Photo lay waste to the field at 6.05 in Punchestown?

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Punchestown 15:40

The Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final would seem like a good race for the JP McManus colours to excel, and this Musical Slave could still be very well handicapped on what we saw at Ludlow.

You could make a case for a lot in here and I think Ballyhome could run a big race for Fergal O’Brien and Connor Brace.

Punchestown 16:20

Zero Ten has been a model of consistency and, even though he was beaten at Fairyhouse is still the one I like here.

The Big Dog was well beaten by Commander of Fleet in a good race last time but is not one to give up on. I am sticking with Zero Ten.

Punchestown 16:55

The Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle has conditions that limit the runners and for that reason I’m going to side with one we haven’t seen for a while. Crack Tiepy did win very easily when last seen at Wexford and Willie Mullins is always to be feared with a comeback candidate – especially with Ruby booked to ride.

Allaho-Ruby-Walsh

Punchestown 17:30

Allaho was all the rage for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but the stats were against him and his lack of experience told in the end. Minella Indo was impressive winning that race – I was super impressed with him and see no reason to think it was a fluke.

Punchestown 18:05

Al Boum Photo was Willie Mullins’ first Gold Cup winner and was unlucky not to win at Punchestown last year when Paul Townend had a mental block and he ran out the side of a fence with the novice chase seemingly at his mercy. They will get a hell of a cheer were they to win on Wednesday.

Ruby rides Kemboy and he was impressive at Aintree, while Monalee ran a nice race in the Ryanair but got trapped at the wrong time. This trip is more like it for him. I take Al Boum Photo to win.

Punchestown 19:10

Blast of Koeman ran a great race last year to be second at this festival and, fresh from a good win over hurdles, this lad has to go well. Class Conti was so impressive at Tramore and has the scope to be anything.

Punchestown 19:45

Gypsy Island is unbeaten in bumpers having been placed in a maiden hurdle at Navan in November. I like her chances of upsetting the Patrick Mullins-ridden favourite Minella Melody.

Find a full range of odds on day 2 of Punchestown over on paddypower.com