Something a little different today with BetVictor sponsoring four races on the card and launching our BetVictor graduation bonus initiative at Punchestown, I am going to take a snapshot look at the entire card. Before I get to the tips, a quick explainer on the bonus. We are offering €50,000 to the first horse who can land a win in one of our sponsored novice hurdles, maiden hurdles or bumpers and go onto score in a grade one race at the festival. You can see the full details right here-https://punchestown.com/the-e50000-betvictor-graduation-bonus-series/
The first race that qualifies for the bonus is the opener which is a maiden hurdle and it arguably lacks a little depth. Cappucino arrives off the back of a bumper win, having reverted to that discipline after a couple of efforts over timber. Gordon Elliott runs The Mediator who has been knocking on the door in maiden hurdles this summer. The one that could offer some each-way value is Colonel Nelson, who was second in his only point to point run and had a decent run on his bumper debut at the track in May. This as a hurdles starting point looks a good entry point and I suspect could outrun his price.
The 2.20 is a mares handicap hurdle which looks trappy enough. First Dare should enjoy the ground and if handling the eight pound rise after his Tramore win, could go close. Saddle Her Up is interesting for me on handicap debut and is perhaps an each-way play for a new yard. On paper I would think any easing of the ground would aid her chances.
The third race on the card could go the way of Bellewstown scorer Barry Lyndon. Ground is key for his chances but he’s a previous course winner and looks the value in another competitive affair. Using the BetVictor app I did spy a nice smart stat around Call The Tune, if you were to back Barry Connell trained runners off a break blind you would be in profit to the tune of £18.87 for a £1 stake. His ten-year-old is worth monitoring in the betting.
The first of our graded races on the card offers limited each-way interest with just seven runners going to post in the novice chase. Plenty in here are still learning their trade and need to see improvements in their jumping. Monbeg Park looks to have been well placed here as a second season novice, my only concern is the drift in his price out to 9/2 now having been our initial favourite for the race.
The race of the day comes next and looks a hard puzzle to solve. Minella Indo is getting no younger but took this contest 12 months ago and I expected him to be more popular with punters. Hewick, the King George winner, isn’t helped by the conditions of this contest and his trainer has been very clear this race is a starting point for what they hope will be another successful season. Gordon Elliott’s duo both warrant respect but I can’t help but feel Conflated and Minella Crooner will need softer conditions to be seen at their best. Despite the drift I would be a backer of Minella Indo here at around 7/2.
Next up is a chase over just shy of three miles and the front pair in the market of Ready To Return and Decimation are bound to have plenty of fans. The booking of Derek O’Connor is always a plus and whilst the team behind Ready To Return lost the big race at Newmarket yesterday, due to the whip rules, it would be surprising if they didn’t get a big run out of this seven-year-old. Decimation was a well beaten second at Listowel last time out but remains of interest. A chance could be taken with Joyeux Vivo he was never really going the last day at Listowel when eventually falling but the form of his best chase effort at Killbeggan would bring him into my thinking as an each-way play.
A beginner’s chase is our penultimate contest which on paper should be an interesting affair, Facile Mode won on this card 12 months ago and has been pretty busy since. This will be his first chase start but given what he achieved over hurdles I fancy him to make a good start to life over fences.
Finally, we come to the closing bumper which really should go to the odds-on Jerry From Kerry. His form has been boosted and he arrives here the one to beat, significantly clear on Timeform rating. He sets a very good standard, and I think could just be one to be eyeing up our big bonus for one of the shrewdest trainers about.
