16:20 – Herald Champion Novice Hurdle
As is expected at the Punchestown Festival Willie Mullins holds all the aces here. Cheltenham hero Klassical Dream heads the market and looks like he’ll be hard to beat. If you don’t want to take the likely odds-on about the favourite. stablemate Quick Grabim, could be the answer in the ‘betting without Klassical Dream’ market.
16:55 – Killashee Handicap Hurdle
A typically competitive handicap here, but we would be keen on the Robbie Power-ridden Pearl Of The West. He was down the field in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time, but had decent form before that, including a win over at Cheltenham in October.
17:30 – Champion Chase
The feature race of Day 1 and Willie Mullins once again looks sure to win, fielding the current front three in the market. Min is a short price to follow up his dominant Aintree victory and land his fourth Grade 1 of the season. If you don’t fancy betting the odds on again, Hell’s Kitchen in the ‘betting without Min’ market, could be the play.
He ran a career best at Cheltenham and paid the price for racing too keenly at Aintree. The return to 2m should be ideal and he can be the one to give Min the most to think about.
18:40 – Champion Novice Chase
This is most competitive of Tuesday’s Grade 1 races and arguably the most intriguing contest of the day.
Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work heads the market but there’s been strong support for Close Bros. winner at Cheltenham, A Plus Tard. He steps up to graded company from that handicap win, but will have more on his plate here.
One that makes a little more appeal at the prices is another Mullins’ inmate, Getabird. He hasn’t been seen since getting chinned by Hardline over Christmas at Limerick where he picked up an injury at the second-last fence. That halted his momentum over the last and he was collared by Hardline on the run-in.
Scoot over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing oddsHe could come into this contest slightly under the radar.