Gm, Equinauts

You’ve only got a couple more days to get familiar with the Tote app—if you’re not already—before tapping into World Pool liquidity for Newmarket’s famous Guineas meeting.

Why do we KEEP going on about it?

Not only does the Tote return significantly more to racing—around three times as much per pound as traditional bookmakers—but it can also offer better value. It’s something we’ve looked into closely, and it’s hard to ignore the difference.

On top of that, the Placepot is where small stakes can turn into serious returns, and with the Guineas meeting around the corner, those pools are likely to be especially strong.

Download the Tote and start playing with the here: Tote | Offers

Now, Punchestown day 2…Let’s dive in.

PUNCHESTOWN DAY 1

Yesterday threw up some CLASSIC Punchestown results with Cheltenham heroes bottoming, double digits landing and Willie Mullins even criticising his jockeys riding tactics! The ground looked to be running quicker than the going description so todays focus will be on those NH horses who’d prefer top of the ground.

16.15 3M GRADE 1 NOVICE HURDLE

Willie Mullins has an INCREDIBLE record in this race. He’s landed 7 of the last 10 running and today he’s going for a six timer having won it for the last 5 years in a row… and they were all faves. So do we need to look further down than the Mullins fave DOCTOR STEINBERG?

Let’s work it out.

DOTOR STEINBERG was a pulled up fave at Cheltenham in March (we backed the 25/1 winner in JOHNNYS JURY!). He ran too free that day which is unusual for a Mullins horse and simply emptied early. his pedigree means he’ll like todays ground and if Townend can keep a lid on him then he might show better, but that’s a big ‘if’.

ZANOOSH gets the mare allowance for her six timer bid. She’s been incredible for trainer Murphy and is a sibling to BRAVE EAGLE who was a Listed winner over longer distances meaning this step up in trip could really suit. Good ground a huge plus.

FRUIT DE MER ran a huge race in the Albert Bartlett finishing second:

He has a deep NH pedigree and is relatively unexposed having only run three times over hurdles, twice being in Grade 1’s. Obviously highly thought of, de Bromhead wouldn’t be chucking him in the deep end every time if he knew he couldn’t handle it or indeed, win!

THE PASSING WIFE was right behind FRUIT DE MER but we think he’d prefer slower ground.

LOVE ME TENDER is by the same sire as DOCTOR STEINBERG. Stamina to prove but his relatives out of his second dam suggest he might get it. No Guarantee though!

SPINNINGAYARN was pumped by THE PASSING WIFE and FRUIT DE MER so we’re not sure that form can be reversed.

The others seem to need to find too much but there are two who are fairly unexposed in their own individual ways. ESPRESSO MILAN for Mullins is related to BOB OLINGER and has only raced three times over hurdles and bottom of the market is a rare Kirby runner called DREAM ON MICK whose pedigree is stacked with stayers.

Verdict: DOCTOR STEINBERG went of short fave at Cheltenham but pulled his chances away. There is no guarantee he’ll settle better today so the obvious pick has to be FRUIT DE MER for de Bromhead. He nearly wont the Albert Bartlett and if he’s recovered well from Cheltenham then he can win and land Henry this race which he last won in 2019 with MINELLA INDO.

16.50 GRADE 1 CHAMPION BUMPER

Cheltenham hero THE MOURNE RAMBLER heads the market here, having bolted up in March under the unlikely guidance of Colin Keane.

Keane later revealed he’d sat on him at home before Cheltenham and said he felt more like a Flat horse than a jumper. Trainer Noel Meade echoed that view, noting the horse had been working alongside six-furlong Flat types—such was his speed at home.

If they’ve managed to keep him feeling himself nice and fresh, then he will be exceptionally hard to beat today, especially on this ground.

BOYCETOWN had no excuses with his Cheltenham run and couldn’t get near the fave so we’re going to take him on.

DROMARD’s second dam produced very good flat horses so being trained by Willie Mullins, this lad is a huge danger to the fave. They couldn’t get him ready in time for Cheltenham so has been instead targeted here. The ground is a concern.

The fact Patrick has picked DROMARD, can you simply discount the other Mullins horses? He rarely gets the bumper picks wrong. We think so.

Verdict: A lazy verdict here but we really were so impressed with Cheltenham hero THE MOURNE RAMBLER and we have to stick with him.

18.05 3M 1F GRADE 1 GOLD CUP

This race is HUGE.

Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, this year’s winner, and the Irish Gold Cup hero all go head-to-head here to settle the score.

It’s been a long season for them all but FACT TO FILE comes here a lot fresher than GAELIC WARRIOR and INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN having missed his Cheltenham scheduled appearance owed to the… ground? Weird given the ground is going to be pretty much exactly the same today lol. Punters have a right to call out that explanation which, didn’t convince everyone at the time, given conditions aren’t a million miles away here, but we’ll leave that one there.

Anyway, FACTO TO FILE runs on similar ground today—but he’s got it all to do against GAELIC WARRIOR, whose Gold Cup demolition was something we haven’t seen in years:

If any of the others win this race then you can put Punchestown in the bin.

Verdict: GAELIC WARRIOR wins.

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO ACCESS OUR PREMIUM CONTENT

By becoming a premium reader you get access to all the big race previews and the days best stats and bets!

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.