Selections for Tuesday 30th of April 2024
3.05 Punchestown
1 point each way Montregard (6/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 7/1 Bet365/ 888 Sports, 6 places)
Montregard is a half brother to Protektorat. He won his maiden hurdle at Warwick on good ground last April. On his handicap debut he disappointed at Newcastle when sent off the 6/4 favourite but bounced back to form on his last run when winning at Wetherby off a mark of 104. This was on soft ground so he seems to handle most race conditions.He races here off a mark of 106 near the bottom of the handicap. 10-4 is a lovely low racing weight and the addition of cheekpieces have seemed to really help this horse.
1 point each way Clonbury Bridge (20/1 Skybet, 7 places or 20/1 Generally, 5 places)
Clonbury Bridge bounced back to form on his latest start at Cork when winning a handicap hurdle off a mark of 100 at odds of 20/1. He beat the Philip Rothwell trained Cheerful Chap by 2 ½ lengths on that occasion and that horse has since won a handicap at Ballinrobe, beating Kings Hill. Clonbury Bridge won’t mind a bit of better ground and his revised mark of 107 might not be enough to stop this horse following up on that latest effort. He carries 1 lb more than Montregard down near the foot of the weights.
3.40 Punchestown
1 point each way Tullyhill (8/1 888 Sports, 3 places or else 7/1 Generally, 3 places)
Tullyhill was very disappointing at Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He didn’t have a hard race that day as Paul was very easy on him as soon as his chance had gone. He is highly regarded at Clonsutten though and has plenty of course form. He skipped Cheltenham last year but ran a big race here in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper when second to A Dream To Share. He has form on all ground and should be fresher than Mystical Power and Firefox who ran at Aintree. His two runs previous to Cheltenham were impressive when winning at Naas by 7 lengths and he backed that up by winning here at Punchestown in a Novice Hurdle by 9 lengths. This race is much deeper but this horse definitely has the engine and if he can get into a good jumping rhythm he could be a great bet at odds of 8/1.
4.15 Punchestown
1 point each way Smooth Tom (16/1 Paddy power, 6 places or else 14/1 Generally, 6 places)
A tricky handicap where Willie Mullins holds a strong hand at the top of the market. However the Andrew Slattery trained Smooth Tom makes plenty of appeal on route to his main target the Galway Hurdle. He was second in the Irish Lincoln over 1 mile on heavy ground a couple of weeks ago. Earls has franked the form since winning a good handicap at Haydock easily. He won his first two hurdle starts easily earlier in the season before finding the Grade 1 Novice hurdle at Leopardstown too hot. The handicapper has given him a mark of 130 and if the Galway hurdle is his main target he will have to get a few pounds somewhere to be guaranteed a run. He carries 10-13 in this and jockey Cian Quirke claims 5 lbs.
4.50 Punchestown
2 points each way King Rasko Grey (11/4 888 Sports, 4 places or else 5/2 Generally, 4 places)
Willie Mullins had the first and second in this race last season and it would be no surprise if he was to do something similar this year. Patrick has opted to ride King Rasko Grey, a 250k purchase at the Goffs Sales. This son of Galiway is speedily bred, being out of a flat winner over a mile. Reports are that he is plenty sharp on the gallops and that he was the standout candidate for team Mullins. The only worry would be whether he can get a nice position and settle. These are four year olds and some can lose the race before it starts but I am sure Willie would have done plenty of work with him. He bought three Galiways at Goffs so he will be keen to get that stallion off to a flyer.
**Date & Time of next Selections Wednesday 1st of May at 10am..