Latest news with #MajesticForce
Irish Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
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 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. Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dont Tell Jack can thrive for step up in trip at Fairyhouse
Saturday's Fairyhouse meeting, which was lost to the weather, takes place on Tuesday afternoon and the nap goes to Dont Tell Jack, who can get off the mark over timber by taking the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final. Touched off on his only outing in a point-to-point, he finished fourth in a Navan maiden hurdle on his first inside the rails, and had very little go his way when seventh behind subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes at the Christmas meeting in Leopardstown. Third behind Ethical Diamond next time, he made his handicap debut last out at Naas and ran well enough to finish sixth behind Jump Allen. With that experience under his belt, and the step up to almost three miles sure to suit, the five-year-old can land the spoils for Joseph O'Brien and Mark Walsh and continue the fine Easter weekend for owner JP McManus. Recent Tramore winner Fairyland Opera is worthy of respect, and with Willie Mullins taking all before him, Fishery Lane must be considered, even though he was pulled up in the Albert Bartlett when last seen. Although the ground may be more testing than ideal for Kalix Delabarriere, he can continue his slow ascent up the grading ladder by taking the listed RYBO Handicap Hurdle. Impressive when winning a Ballinrobe bumper on his only start of last season, Willie Mullins' horse was disappointing on his hurdling debut, in a Leopardstown maiden won by Kaid d'Authie, and was no match for Ballybow on his second outing over obstacles. Third time up, however, he made a successful step forward, taking a Naas maiden from which there have already been three subsequent maiden hurdle winners. While he didn't do much in a hurry that day, this five-year-old work-in-progress remains full of potential and his initial mark of 125 makes him extremely appealing despite the competitive nature of this race. The top of the market should dominate the listed Boylesports Mares' Handicap Chase, and Zenta is just preferred to Majestic Force. While the mares' beginners' chase she won at Fairyhouse didn't look the strongest of contests, she posted an impressive performance and looks just the type to progress. Her mark of 140 looks manageable and she can prove that little bit too good for Majestic Force.
