Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s wily Punchestown wagers on Wednesday

Fitzy's fired up ahead of Wednesday's Punchestown Festival action.

Wednesday’s Punchestown tips

14:30 Smooth Scotch
15:05 Blizzard Of Oz
15:40 East India Express (each way)
16:15 Dancing City
17:25 Fastorslow
18:00 Lets Go Champ
18:35 Air Of Entitlement

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.

 

It’s the second day of the Punchestown Festival and we’ve got some UK raiders to contend with. Nicky Henderson is, unfortunately, without Shishkin but I’m sure he’ll get a great reception if he was to have a winner this week.

14:30 Smooth Scotch

I’m going for an outsider here with Smooth Scotch who’s trained by the Crawfords and is ridden by Liam Quinlan. He had some very good novice hurdle form but hasn’t run for a couple of years. This firm know how to get one ready and on handicap debut this horse might be underestimated.

15:05 Blizzard Of Oz

The conditions of this race stipulate that none of the entrants can have been placed in the first three in a Grade One or Two. Blizzard Of Oz finished fourth in a graded race and I think that sets a high standard in here. Giving the weight away shouldn’t be an issue and I’m backing this one to win for the all-conquering Willie Mullins.

 

15:40 East India Express (each way)

East India Express has an each-way chance in this. Nicky Henderson may not have been able to bring over his superstar Shishkin but this horse loves good ground. When he won his bumper he was a big price but the ground made all the difference. This fella has been targeted at this for some time.

16:15 Dancing City

Dancing City is my pick in this one. Paul Townend is keen to hang on to his Champion Jockey title and this mount will help. He was a good winner at Aintree but you could say he was as little disappointing at Cheltenham prior to that.

 

17:25 Fastorslow

I think Galopin Des Champs’ effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup might have left a mark. Fastorslow unseated his rider and obviously didn’t have too hard a race. Even though Fastorslow has been racing at lesser standard than Galopin Des Champs he could be the fresher horse and he loves Punchestown.

18:00 Lets Go Champ

I like Lets Go Champ for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead. This horse was a very expensive point-to-point purchase who’s not been that busy but he is smart on his day. He had a good run in a Limerick handicap last time and is proven on decent ground. This is a good horse who, with only 10st 5lb on his back, has to be respected.

18:35 Air Of Entitlement

I’m on Air Of Entitlement in the lucky last. John Gleeson is no stranger to the winners’ enclosure at Punchestown having won on A Dream To Share last year. This daughter of Westerner looked really good when bolting up at Cork. She’s smart.

Wednesday’s Punchestown tips

14:30 Smooth Scotch
15:05 Blizzard Of Oz
15:40 East Indioa Express (each way)
16:15 Dancing City
17:25 Fastorslow
18:00 Lets Go Champ
18:35 Air Of Entitlement

*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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