The 4.50 at Punchestown is an incredibly hard puzzle to pick apart and the market looks to be favouring the unexposed types. However I’m a big supporter of the tried and tested approach and that’s why I’m backing WONDER LAISH to do the business. Robbie Burns has taken over the training from Charles Byrnes and after an encouraging run last time out in a hot event I think he should be cherry ripe for this assignment. The likely fast pace will suit him well and Kevin Brouder seems to have chosen him over Turnpike Trip, although it would be no surprise if he ran well also, so it looks like a bold run is expected. Ground should be fine and plenty of bookmakers are paying extra places so fill your boots each way.
My second tip comes just 10 minutes later at Ayr. Liam Bailey and David Nolan have hit the crossbar a few times when teaming up but their luck has to change at some point and I hope it is today. Bailey saddles MARKAZI who should strip a lot fitter for a recent run at Catterick and could capitalise on a lenient mark if bouncing back to anywhere near his best. I do think course form is important at Ayr and this lad boasts a course win for old connections so at 10/1 he could well be worth a poke in what looks an open race where race fitness is at a premium.
Punchestown 4.50 – Wonder Laish
Ayr 5.00 – Markazi
