Punchestown Festival day 5 tips: Robbie Power's selections for Saturday
After a cracking few days of action at the Punchestown Festival, the curtain comes down on the National Hunt season at the Co Kildare venue today.
The SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at 3.42 is the feature race and looks a good opportunity for Brighterdaysahead to return to winning ways in the absence of Lossiemouth after she was well beaten when finishing fourth in the Champion Hurdle.
She's got to leave that below par run at Cheltenham well behind her. That was definitely well below what she is capable of and that performance wouldn't even be good enough to win this race.
At the price she is, I'd be trying to avoid her and take her on with Jade De Grugy, who was second to Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and I think she has a good chance here against the favourite.
The Oaklodgelandscapes.ie Handicap Chase at 3.05 is wide open.
Gordon Elliott does well with his staying chasers. Fortunedefortunata won a Grand National trial at this venue back in February before finishing fifth in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter a few weeks later.
The ground drying out would be a big concern for him, but one I think has a good each way chance is Tom Gibney's Meyo, who is down towards the bottom of the handicap.
He was third at Down Royal on his last start and looks capable of running into a place again under Mike O'Connor.
JP McManus has three interesting runners in the Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at 4.15.
The target for Canal End had been the Irish Grand National, but he didn't quite make the cut to get in and I'd have huge respect for him with Mark Walsh on his back for Peter Fahey.
But Majestic Force is the one I'm siding with to win for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.
She was a good winner when stepping up to three miles at Wexford in a beginners chase on her last start and in her first start this season in Cork she was second when beaten half a length by Spindleberry.
We've seen what Spindleberry has gone on to do and off a mark of 126 I think she will be very competitive.
The Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at 4.50 is a fantastic renewal.
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Willie Mullins is responsible for nine of the 12 runners and I'm going to take him on with Lulamba, who I thought was robbed by Poniros in Cheltenham.
I think he can get compensation here for that narrow defeat for Nicky Henderson, with James Bowen replacing Nico de Boinville in the saddle.
D Art D Art is one who is probably open to improvement in the Lawlor's Of Naas Handicap Hurdle at 5.25, but dropping back in trip would be a slight concern.
Wellington Arch is the one I like here for Jonjo & A J O'Neill, who won a handicap chase at this venue on Thursday with Petit Tonnerre.
Wellington Arch won a handicap hurdle at Aintree last month when beating Kopeck De Mee. That is strong form and he sneaks in towards the bottom of the handicap with a weight of 10-6 and I think he has a great chance.
The DAR Golf Construction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at 6.00 is a very interesting bumper and all eyes will be on Quantum Boy for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the colours of JP McManus.
He won a point-to-point by 40 lengths when trained by Jonathan Fogarty before changing hands and that was very impressive.
It will be interesting to see what he does on his racecourse debut.
Bet of the day - Lulamba - 4.50
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