Punchestown is a place where the Irish come out in full force for the festival, with an emphasis on quality, with a staggering eleven grade one races, and a who’s who of national hunt racing on display. Kauto Star, Big Zeb, Binocular, Sizing Europe, Hurricane Fly, Menorah, Quito De La Roque, all Grade One winners at the Cheltenham Festival over the last few years, and all will be out to achieve further honours this week.
Tuesday is the day I have personally been looking forward to, with the Boylesports Irish Champion Chase being the highlight of a seven race card, with three of the mentioned eleven grade one races. This race sees Ireland’s three best two mile chasers Sizing Europe, Big Zeb and Golden Silver renew their rivalry. In the last three races that they have competed, each on has a victory to their name. Big Zeb won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, before Golden Silver getting the upper hand at Punchestown, and finally Sizing Europe winning the Champion Chase at Punchestown. Golden Silver won this renewal last year, springing a relative surprise with Sizing Europe the beaten favourite in third. Last year had no BIG ZEB however, and I will retain faith in last years champion two miler. He won the Champion Chase in fine style, on good ground, and is clearly a spring horse, that seemingly thrives at this time of year. Sizing Europe clearly loves Cheltenham and can be described as somewhat of a specialist. Sizing Europe got the run of the race at Cheltenham, and was able to gallop to his own accord, and given his running over longer distances this year, the stamina came to his benefit. This shouldn’t be the case around Punchestown, as these tactics didn’t work here last year. Big Zeb sets the standard and is the class horse in the race and my support remains in tact since Cheltenham.
Wednesday sees a fantastic array of jumping superstars on display, with perhaps the most famous and the one who will go down in the history books is KAUTO STAR, who runs in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. He has had by his standards a rather unsuccessful season by only finishing third in the King George and then Gold Cup, but that by any horses standards is still a tremendous achievement, especially considering his fall at Cheltenham last year, and the fact that age is clearly catching up with him. He opposes a maximum of nine rivals, and most of which he has beaten before in the past. Ruby Walsh will be riding him, and trainer Paul Nicholls insists the horse is mad fresh and raring to go. Good ground is a big bonus, and is the best horse in the field, and can hopefully bring the curtain down on a fantastic horse, and maybe even his career.
The third day of the Punchestown Festival sees my favourite mare look for back to back victories, in the same manner that she achieved at Cheltenham, with QUEVEGA looking to win the three mile Ladbrokes Hurdle. She was the most impressive winner at Cheltenham with the David Pipe trained Junior, winning ten lengths to Sparky May, the mare went on to finish a very game third in the John Smiths Novice Hurdle at Aintree. Quevega won at Cheltenham on the absolute bridle, with Ruby taking it up a furlong from home and unleashing her, to a standing ovation from the Cheltenham faithful. That trip was over 2m 4f and the 3 miles she runs over here should not be a problem, considering she won here last year with the exact campaign (Cheltenham and Punchestown) and still won by 3 lengths. Last year she beat Bensalem and Noble Prince (second and fourth), and both went onto taste Cheltenham success, so the form is absolutely rock solid, and she should delight the crowds here once again.
Selections: (All Punchestown)
Thursday – 5.30 Quevega (NAP)
Tuesday – 5.30 Big Zeb (NB)
Wednesday – 5.30 Kauto Star
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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