AP McCoy may have retired at the weekend however the 20-time Champion Jockey is Punchestown bound this afternoon, as spectator rather than a jockey, for the first day of Ireland’s premier National Hunt Festival. Willie Mullins won no less than five Grade 1’s at the Cheltenham Festival and all look primed to follow-up on home solid with Douvan (4.20) fancied to emulate last year’s winner Faugheen in the Champion Novice Hurdle over the minimum trip. The selection, much like his ‘machine-like’ stablemate, was successful in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park and should maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles with little to worry about from his five rivals.
Don Poli (6.40) was a similarly impressive winner for the King of Closutton at the festival and can follow-up under Brian Cooper in the Champion Novice Chase over an extended three miles. The selection chased home Beat That in the 3m Novices’ Hurdle at the meeting last term however was always going to thrive over the larger obstacles; unbeaten in three starts over fences including two successes at G1 level. The Gigginstown House Stud inmate is currently the 5/1 second favourite with BetVictor for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and is a confident selection to succeed at the track this afternoon, enhancing is already strong claims for jump racing’s Blue Riband next spring.
Champagne Fever reverts to the minimum trip after finishing fourth in the Melling Chase at Aintree and is a likely favourite for the Champion Chase with Ruby Walsh opting to ride over stablemates Felix Yonger and Twinlight however Hidden Cyclone (5.30) can finally claim a landmark first G1 success. The 10-y-o has been a runner-up no less than four times in the top level, including chasing home Twinlight in the Dial-a-bet Chase over Christmas. He put in a terrific display when reversing the form over course and distance in February and with the aid of first-time blinkers can put the apple of trainer Shark Hanlon’s eye at jump racing’s top table this evening.
Some Article won a competitive handicap at Fairyhouse nailing Clondaw Warrior earlier this month over an extended two miles and is potentially well-treated from a 6lb higher mark however The Game Changer (4.55) travelled menacingly well last time out at Aintree and is entitled to progress further from an unrevised mark. The selection was well-backed prior to his runs at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and can reward each-way support under former Champion Jockey Davy Russell.
There are no less than five meetings domestically with Newcastle’s twilight card the feature and Harvey’s Hope (7.25) fancied to give weight and a beating to his 13 rivals in the mile and a half handicap. Keith Reveley’s charge has tumbled down the weights and is now at a career-low mark after a lacklustre effort at Pontefract on his return to the flat after a stint hurdling. The selection gets on well with jockey Tom Eaves and can return to the winners’ enclosure with first-time blinkers taken to do the trick.
Michael Dods’ Kommander Kirkup (6.15) boasts a tremendous record fresh and can make his seasonal debut a successful one in the feature 6f Handicap under Connor Beasley. The recently claim-free Beasley gets on well with the scopey 4-y-o, guiding him to success in a maiden at Thirsk and an unlucky loser when second to Scott Dixon’s Pennine Warrior at Ripon. His frame suggests he will improve with age and the gelding has the potential to be much better than his current mark of 79 suggests.
Luca Cumani‘s string tend to need the run and whilst his runner Frenzified is respected for the opening Fillies Maiden at Chelmsford Park, Falcon’s Song (5.55) gets the nod to land the spoils on the all-weather. David Simcock’s well-bred daughter of US Ranger made a pleasing debut when second at the track under Jim Crowley last month over a mile and can go one better now upped in trip.
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