Gm, Equinauts

The world famous Guineas meeting starts tomorrow AND WE CAN’T WAIT.

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Now, Punchestown day 3…Let’s dive in.

PUNCHESTOWN DAY 3

17.25 2M GRADE 1 NOVICE CHASE

One of the biggest names in jumps racing heads the market here, KOPEK DES BORDES. A bumper winner, a maiden winner and then straight into Grade 1’s, he was unbeaten going into last years renewal of the Supreme and got the job done for his backers to kick start another great Festival for Mullins. But guess where his unbeaten run came to and end!?

Yep, that’s right… here at Punchestown.

Like last year, he should be miles clear of the opposition and as such, is priced accordingly at 4/11 where many punters will be adding him to perms. But surely his performance (or lack of) provides doubt over whether that could happen again today after such a hard race at Cheltenham?

If he does bomb, who might beat him?

Well, IRISH PANTHER was running an okay race in the Champion Chase before smashing into the last which then saw him crawl home.

He might have finished third then an although the form isn’t good enough to see him win this race outright, he should be either be following KOPEK DES BORDES home or potentially even capitalising if there is a big underperformance.

Verdict: If you’re playing in this race then the ew against the fave would be IRISH PANTHER at 8/1.

18.05 2M 7F GRADE 1 STAYERS HURDLE

TEAHUPOO has been class in this division for a long time and goes for an incredible three-timer in this race for Gordon Elliott. That said, he does have a tendency to wobble on the big day. He ran a stinker at Cheltenham last time out and was beaten at short odds in the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle. We wonder if punters will have faith in him today at 2’s or, with a straight eight in the field, look to take him on in…

KAWABOOMGA turns up. He was touted as a Cheltenham winner in the making by Tony Mullins in last years Cheltenham previews roadshow but suffered a set back. He made his return Feb this year and then finished second behind Grade 1 winner SLADE STEEL in a Grade 2, his most recent assignment. That’s good form and he was staying on well only to run out of track… the step up in trip will be fine!

BOB OLINGER is won last years Stayers’ and finished in front of TEAHUPPO again this year. He’s on old boy now but de Bromhead said he doesn’t know it and was in the form of his life coming into March. That’s good enough to bag this.

Of the reast, JIMMY DU SEUIL reverts back to hurdling after disappointing over fences, HONESTY POLICY doesn’t look good enough and the rest can’t win.

Verdict: On the basis TEAHUPOO can flop on occasions, we’re going to take him on. BOB O would be the safest choice but we’re going to side with the completely unexposed KAWABOOMGA to hopefully bring the BOOOM’s.

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