Frank Hickey’s Punchestown Tips:
15:40 – The Model Kingdom (each way)
16:15 – Facile Vega
16:50 – Tax For Max
17:25 – Energumene
18:35 – Classic Getaway
19:45 – Williethebuilder
*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 – The Model Kingdom (each-way)
It’s probably very foolish to oppose Willie Mullins as he has three decent chances with Night And Day, Nikini and Saylavee but I’m with The Model Kingdom, who carries a 3lb penalty. She is two wins from three starts at Punchestown, her defeat coming when second to the top class, Impaire Et Passe. A further eight lengths back in third then was Shecouldbeanything who is among the marlet leaders now.
The Model Kingdom won the mares’ bumper at this meeting last year and was held up in the mares’ novice hurdle at Cheltenham where the steady pace wouldn’t have suited her. She never got into the race that day, is better than she showed and is worth a few bob each-way at the prices.
16:15 – Facile Vega
I was keen to take on Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices Hurdle off the back of the awful run at the Dublin Racing Festival. He ran a huge race all things considered to finish second and I’m pretty sure that the winner Marine Nationale is top class.
Those further back like Inthepocket, Strong Leader and Fennor Cross have already franked that Supreme Novices Hurdle form. Diverge has nearly three lengths to make up with Facile Vega and he could improve again from Cheltenham with that only being his third run over hurdles. I can’t really oppose the favourite though.
16:50 – Tax For Max
You couldn’t call Tax For Max unexposed but he seems to like Punchestown. He was only beaten a length in third in this race last year off a mark of 131 and he won his maiden hurdle afterwards the following month and then was victorious in a conditions hurdle at this venue in November. He’s only 2lb higher than when finishing placed here last year.
17:25 – Energumene
Energumene followed up his Champion Chase win last year by winning nicely at this Festival and he should do similar again. Gentleman De Mee is the only real fly in the ointment after bouncing back to form in the Dublin Racing Festival and comes here fresh after missing Cheltenham.
- WELCOME TO PP NEWS: NEW TO US? CLICK HERE FOR OUR £/€20 SIGN-UP OFFER
18:35 – Classic Getaway
There are a lot of question marks in this 3m Novices Grade 1 Chase. Will Journey With Me see out the trip? I wouldn’t be so sure. Sir Gerhard was much better last time at Fairyhouse but Paul Townend still doesn’t ride him. Appreciate It just looks to have hit a level which just isn’t good enough.
Classic Getaway was very impressive when winning his chase debut back in November at Gowran but he was only beaten a neck at the Festival last year in a novice hurdle over 2m 4f by Crosshill. At Gowran he beat Minella Cocooner and Angels Dawn and Journey With Me would have been third had he not fallen at the second last.
19:45 – Williethebuilder
Williethebuilder was backed at big prices on his bumper debut at Fairyhouse. He got a poor ride and was held up right out the back in a race where nothing really got into it from off the pace. He was very green under pressure but Raymond Barron looked to struggle on him too. He would have been at least second to Brighterdaysahead with a better ride and he has plenty of ability. Hopefully the experience won’t be lost on him.
Frank Hickey’s Punchestown Tips:
15:40 – The Model Kingdom (each way)
16:15 – Facile Vega
16:50 – Tax For Max
17:25 – Energumene
18:35 – Classic Getaway
19:45 – Williethebuilder
*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
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for the best Horse Racing Tips & News
- Punchestown Festival: Day-by-day schedule for the 5 day festival
- Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Punchestown Day 1 best bets for Tuesday
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
