A competitive seven races on the card at Punchestown on Monday.
MONDAYS PUNCHESTOWN TIPS
- 12:00 Joe’s Turn
- 12.30 Trasna Na Pairce
- 13:00 Choir Girl
- 13:30 Coexist (NAP)
- 14:03 It’s Only A Game
- 14:38 Allo Al Khawaneej (NB)
- 15:13 Viva Laa Vida
- 15:45 Westin Pimpernel
-View our latest Horse Racing markets
12:00 3m½f (3m70y) Handicap Chase (4yo+ 0-100)
A competitive start to the card at Punchestown on Monday and a chance is taken with JOE’S TURN, who should appreciate the going. He won last time out at Killarney and has been raised five pounds since then. The third Urbs Intacta Manet has franked the form by finishing third since. While the selection was all out close home, he stuck to his task, and the proven stamina can also be a key attribute here.
Selection: Joe’s Turn
12:30 2m½f (2m136y) Novice Chase (4yo+)
Henry De Bromhead has trained the winner of this race in three of the last four years and is represented here by TRASNA NA PAIRCE with Darragh O’Keeffe in the saddle. A two-time winner from sixteen starts, but a recent run over hurdles could have blown away the cobwebs ahead of a return to the larger obstacles. He will need to find a little improvement but should be involved with luck in running.
Selection: Trasna Na Pairce
13:00 2m2½f (2m2f132y) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Academy Hurdle (3yo)
A tricky puzzle to try and solve with very little form on offer, but on pedigree a nice performance could be forthcoming from CHOIR GIRL in the colours of Mrs John Magnier. This filly is a sister to Catchintsavo, who is a two-time winner for trainer Anthony Honeyball. The market will tell us plenty, but she might have enough ability to be involved in the finish.
Selection: Choir Girl
13:30 2m (1m7f187y) 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle (3yo)
Henry De Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe team up with COEXIST, who has shown ability in three starts on the level and could be of interest on hurdles debut. A third-placed finish two starts back behind Dreamkeeper was a solid run, but much better last time behind Almazann at the Curragh. He is related to a hurdle winner, and this discipline could suit him much better.
Selection: Coexist
14:03 2m (1m7f187y) Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
The Champion Bumper form is always a good source of winners over hurdles in the next season and beyond, and while he was beaten twenty lengths, IT’S ONLY A GAME looks a nice sort with the hood applied for the first time. He was the winner of a Punchestown bumper at the end of November last year before finishing fourth at the DRF to Broadway Ted. He was only 18/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham so small confidence behind him. He could be the type to improve over hurdles.
Selection: It’s Only A Game
14:38 2m (1m7f187y) Handicap Hurdle (3yo+)
The handicapper has taken a chance with ALLO AL KHAWANEEJ by dropping it a pound from its last run at Clonmel. He was only beaten 1 ½ lengths behind Tullyveery Lad, and Charles Byrnes will apply the visor to his runner for the first time. The last time he ran off 107 was four starts back when he ran on well close home, and with drying ground in his favour, he looks like one of the main contenders.
Selection: Allo Al Khawaneej
15:13 2m4½f (2m4f164y) Mares Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
Henry De Bromhead is double-handed in the penultimate race on the card, and his supposed second-string VIVA LAA VIDA looks interesting. Jordan Gainford will take the mount, and this mare showed ability on her opening two bumper starts. Her dam, Smart Talk, is a sister to hurdle/chase winner Idle Talk and a half-sister to smart hurdle/chase winner Three Card Brag. There is more than enough to suggest that she will improve for the trip and over a little further in time.
Selection: Viva Laa Vida
15:45 2m4½f (2m4f164y) Handicap Hurdle (3yo+ 0-100)
Gordon Elliott and Josh Williamson team up with WESTIN PIMPERNEL, who is down towards the foot of the weights with 10-4 on her back. She was beaten sixteen lengths last time on her second handicap hurdle run, and that run wasn’t devoid of promise, as she stayed on from two out but was never dangerous. There is a chance that she improves for that run and gets involved in the frame here.
Selection: Westin Pimpernel
MONDAYS PUNCHESTOWN TIPS
- 12:00 Joe’s Turn
- 12.30 Trasna Na Pairce
- 13:00 Choir Girl
- 13:30 Coexist (NAP)
- 14:03 It’s Only A Game
- 14:38 Allo Al Khawaneej (NB)
- 15:13 Viva Laa Vida
- 15:45 Westin Pimpernel
