Punchestown Festival 2025 day 2 tips: Robbie Power's selections for Wednesday
The Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup is a fascinating contest today despite there only being four runners.
However, they are four top quality horses in Galopin Des Champs, Spillane's Tower, Banbridge and Monty's Star.
Galopin Des Champs has never produced around Punchestown what he has done around Leopardstown and Cheltenham so I'd oppose him for that reason.
Banbridge might just be the one here, with the track and ground to suit Joseph O'Brien's nine-year-old.
He was disappointing in the Gold Cup, but back in a small field on nice ground, the King George winner could land another massive pot.
The ground won't be in Spillane's Tower' favour, while Monty's Star ran well when fourth in the Gold Cup.
He didn't have the ideal preparation for it and comes into this in much better form and will like the drying ground.
He has a bit to find with Galopin Des Champs, but is entitled to take his chance and should run his race.
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Today's first Grade 1, the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle, looks like it could be a clash between the Willie Mullins-trained Jasmin De Vaux and Honesty Policy for Gordon Elliott.
Jasmin De Vaux was very good when getting his jumping together to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and see off The Big Westerner.
But Honesty Policy was also good when winning the Grade 1 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.
However, I'm going to go for Jasmin De Vaux. He was the Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner last season and is fancied to follow up his Prestbury Park success here.
Jasmin De Vaux did not add the Punchestown Champion Bumper to his Cheltenham victory last year and Bambino Fever will aim to do so this time around.
The seven-pound mares allowance is huge for her, but I like the look of Colcannon, who comes here fresh having not run since winning at the Dublin Racing Festival and will favour the dry ground.
His form got a good boost on Irish Grand National when Sortudo, who was second behind Colcannon, bolted up at Fairyhouse under Patrick Mullins and he is fancied to run a big race again here under Derek O'Connor for Noel Meade.
The Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle kicks off the action today at 2.30 and it's a very competitive contest.
In For The Night for trainer Desmond McDonogh is up seven pounds for winning at Naas last time out and he is interesting under Charlie O'Dwyer.
Henry de Bromhead runs three in the opener and Nouvotic, who won a maiden hurdle at Wexford when last seen on the track last July, is one I'd be keeping on side.
This six-year-old is open to further progression and should give Ethan O'Sullivan, who claims four pounds, a good spin.
The Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final comes next at 3.05 and Champagne Jury and Downmexicoway look like the two for me here.
Champagne Jury was second in an auction novice hurdle to Honesty Policy at Leopardstown back in March.
That's the best line of form in the race and he looks like the one they all have to beat, but Downmexicoway is the highest rated horse in the race and could be the one to give Champagne Jury plenty to do.
In the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at 3.40, I'd be siding with Kaid d'Authie for Willie Mullins and JP McManus, with Mark Walsh on board.
He was disappointing the last day when pulled up behind The New Lion in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
But he did win a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas when beating Kottail Divin, which is a decent line of form and I'd side with him in another open race.
In the penultimate race at 6.05, Lets Go Champ is fancied to win this contest again following his victory in it 12 months ago.
He comes into it in good form and the better ground will suit this 10-year-old, with Rachael Blackmore onboard.
And Seo Linn will take all the beating in the Weatherbys Mares bumper at 6.35 following her impressive win at Aintree earlier this month.
Bet of the day - Let's Go Champ - 6.05
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