Paul Ferguson has one selection for us on Friday; Un Atout in the Punchestown 3.55. Compare odds and bet.
Thursday proved to be yet another Punchestown Festival red-letter day for Willie Mullins and the County Carlow handler looks to have both of today’s Grade 1s at his mercy.
Dual Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly is going to be very tough to beat in his bid for a fourth successive Rabobank Champion Hurdle and Neptune third Pont Alexandre is bound to be sent off pretty short (odds on overnight, as low as 8-13 in places) for the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle.
The highly-regarded five-year-old will relish the testing conditions and, as he looks a thorough stayer at this trip, Ruby Walsh will surely make this a stamin test, but he is taken on with stable-mate Un Atout (6:05) who was available at 3/1 with Coral overnight.
Another highly-touted five-year-old with a huge future ahead of him, the son of Robin Des Champs also lost his unbeaten record at the Festival, when only fourth in the Supreme. That contest must have been a culture shock to the selection, who had not come off the bridle to win a bumper by 24 lengths (last season) and two hurdle races either side of the New Year.
All three successes were gained on heavy ground, so conditions shouldn’t inconvenience him, and the step up in trip is expected to bring about plenty of improvement in a horse who created a deep impression in the first half of the season.
Friday’s selection:
6:05 Punchestown Festival: Un Atout (3/1 Coral)
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Last Year’s Book Results – Leading Prospects:
- SPRINTER SACRE – Unbeaten – winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- SIMONSIG – Winner at Aintree & Cheltenham
- CINDERS AND ASHES – 10/1 winner of Supreme Novices Hurdle
- BOBS WORTH – 9/2 winner of the RSA Chase
- MENORAH & SILVINIACO CONTI – Both Aintree Winners
- SIR DES CHAMPS – Unbeaten inc 3/1 Jewson Cheltenham Winner
- FINGAL BAY – Won 4 times inc Challow Hurdle
- RAYA STAR – 10/3 winner at Wetherby, 12/1 Ladbroke Hurdle winner, 15/2 Scottish Champion Hurdle winner
- AMBION WOOD – 14/1 EBF Final Sandown winner
- CHAMPION COURT – 6/1 G2 Dipper Novices Chase winner
- PALACE JESTER – 14/1 winner at FFos Las
- SWINCOMBE FLAME – Hat-trick winner inc Lanzarote Hurdle at 9/2
- TEAFOR THREE – 5/1 NH Cheltenham Chase winner (Manifesto Novices’ Chase)
