Punchestown Day 1

Ok the last bit of top class racing of the National Hunt season starts today and what a week it promises to be, with no less than 11 Grade One's to sink our teeth into.

Day 1 could really be a day for the punters, as all of the fancied runners appear to have really solid claims.

We've three of them today, but beforehand the action kicks off with the KHC Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase (for the Ladies Perpetual Cup) (Hunter Chase) over the unique banks course. Its not one to really get stuck into as a lot of runners form is mainly in point-to-points, but one that really stands out is Freneys Well, who represents the all-conquering Enda Bolger team and comes here with every chance after running a cracker in second at Fairyhouse last time. This trip is ideal and he could take this on the way to a crack at the more prostigious La Touche Cup. Wedger Pardy won this 12 months ago for Ted Walsh and, while he was out of sorts last time, he represents the danger.

Selection: Freneys Well, win @ Evs

The next is the first big one of the week, the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle and sees the rematch of Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Go Native, and the most hyped horse in training, Willie Mullins' Hurricane Fly.

Noel Meade's two-time C&D winner was impressive winning at Cheltenham, and a reproduction of that effort would normally see him hard to beat, but Hurricane Fly gave him a 10 length beating in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas without being fully extended, and he's taken to confirm superiority again in this. He is extremely highly thought of by the champion trainer, so much so that he's been entered in the English and Irish Champion hurdles already this season, as well as the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Hopefully the fact that he hasnt run since Christmas, and Go Native was so good at Cheltenham will make the price that bit more appealing, and if he's any sort of backable price, we should be lumping on.

Selection: Hurricane Fly, win @ 4/5

The Masterchef Hospitality Handicap Hurdle is a typically tricky affair which I've narrowed down to 3 runners. Only one winners has carried over 11st in the last ten years, which for me rules out original fancy Silverhand (11st4).

The three to focus on are Imperial Hills (Mullins & Walsh), An Cathaoir Mor, and Native Clan. The latter is progressive, and is potentially thrown in with a featherweight, but its reflected in the price, and the Imperial Cup could have worked out better, so I'm willing to pass over the likely favourite.

Imperial Hills ran well after a break to be sixth in the big Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse a couple of weeks ago which should leave him spot on for this, and represents the all-conquering Mullins-Walsh alliance. He's progressive and gets in under the 11stone mark, and he would have finished a lot closer at Fairyhouse but for a couple of errors at the last two flights.

But the one for me here is An Cathaoir Mor, who has won a couple of Handicap hurdles since finishing 6 lengths behind the top-class Cousin Vinny in January. That form alone would be good enough to win here off a light weight, but the fact that he is progreesing quickly, and has won a couple of handicaps makes him the call here. He had a pipe opener at The Curragh (4 lengths behind Ebadiyan) and could potentially different class to these.

Selection: An Cathaoir Mor, each way @ 10/1

Master Minded wins the big one, but he's a 1/3 shot top price, and thats not a betting proposition.

What could be done, would be to double up the Nicholls champion with The RSA Chase winner Cooldine in the Boylesports.com Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) . Willie Mullins' novice couldn't have been more impressive at The Festival when beating Horner Woods by 16 lengths. He has only had 4 runs this season, and only tasted defeat ove an inadequate 2 miles. He represents Ireland's best Gold Cup chance next season, and will should end his season on a high before a shot at the big boys next year. If the heavens open, Paul Nolans Joncol could provide the biggest threat, but he really shouldn't be up to Cooldine's level.

Recommendation : Master Minded/ Cooldine double.

There we have it,
Thats day 1.

I know its not too original, and the prices aren't great, but fingers crossed they can win, and we'll find a few corkers over the rest of the week.
Happy Punting,
Ian