*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
15:40 – Thanksforthehelp (each-way)
David Pipe would love to have a winner for JP McManus in the race the owner’s operation sponsors and top conditional rider Shane Fitzgerald has been booked. Thanksforthehelp ran well at Wincanton in receipt of 7lbs from a 129 rated runner and that puts him in with a sporting chance off a rating of 109 now. He must be much better than his mark and has rock-solid each-way claims.
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16:15 – Freedom to Dream
He finished fourth in the Martin Pipe conditional race at Cheltenham and has also finished fourth in a Grade One hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. This now looks the perfect opportunity for Peter Fahey’s charge to get his head in front.
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16:45 – Fils D’oudairies
I rode quite a few winners at the Punchestown Festival for Nicky Henderson so it’s no surprise to see him bringing over this challenger. His two runs this season have been very good, the latest being when runner-up to the well-handicapped Langer Dan. A win here would be a just reward for Fils D’oudairies consistency.
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17:20 – The Nice Guy
This is an astonishing young horse as he only made his debut under rules when winning a bumper at Fairyhouse last November. He’s now unbeaten in four starts, twice over hurdles, with the Grade 1 Albertt Bartlett Novices Hurdle being the highlight. Minella Indo did the double here a couple of years ago and The Nice Guy can do the same. Minella Cocooner was second at Cheltenham to The Nice Guy but jumps left-handed. That will not help his chances round this tight right-handed track.
17:55 – Allaho
Allaho got beaten over two miles by Chacun Pour Soi last season and that may put a lot of people off. But Chacun Pour Soi is a crack two miler so there was no real shame in it. The 2m 5f distance suits Allaho but so should this easy 3m trip for this dual Ryanair Chase winner.
My only concern will be if he gets rattled early if taken on by a couple for the lead. He could be well within his comfort zone going a 3m pace and it could ruin the others’ chances – if they take him on. Last year’s first and second Al Boum Photo and Clan Des Obeaux have to be respected at a track they have both excelled at in the past.
18:30 – Facile Vega
It’s hard to go against Facile Vega after his impressive win in the Cheltenham Champion bumper last month. The runner-up American Mike has to be respected. Gordon Elliott’s runner is now meeting him on better ground and while that does open up possibilities, I’ll take Facile Vega to win.
19:05 – Foxy Jacks (each-way)
The Mouse Morris-trained runner won at this meeting last year off a 10lbs lower mark. However, his rider Paddy O’Hanlon takes 7lbs off now so it’s really just a 3lb higher weight he has to carry. He still a very light weight and in a wide-open contest, Foxy Jacks is the pick.
19:45 – The Model Kingdom
Noel Meade’s filly has won both her starts at Navan and Galway. She won at Navan on decent ground and quickened up really smartly in the manner of a good horse. The Model Kingdom gets the nod in this contest where lots of the others are very closely matched.
Mick Fitz’s Wednesday Punchestown Tips
- 15:40 – Thanksforthehelp (each-way)
- 16:15 – Freedom to Dream
- 16:45 – Fils D’oudairies
- 17:20 – The Nice Guy
- 17:55 – Allaho
- 18:30 – Facile Vega
- 19:05 – Foxy Jacks (each-way)
- 19:45 – The Model Kingdom
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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