Horse Racing Ante-Post Tips: Check out a Punchestown Gold Cup tip and an Oaks selection

Racing fans are spoiled at the moment, with the arrival of the Punchestown Festival and the first Flat Classics of the season soon upon us...

This Wednesday at 17:55 we get to see the The Punchestown Gold Cup, which looks mesmerisingly good, with the race, taking in the absence of A Plus Tard, being a who's who of top class chasers who have been dining at the top table. There is always the question mark about all of the individuals in regards to how much petrol they have left in the tank and if they can reproduce their best at the end of a long season.

Allaho steps back up to three miles and it will be interesting to see whether Paul Townend deploys the usual swashbuckling tactics which have seen him pulverise fields at the highest level over immediate trips. It is possible he could do it, but at much bigger odds I would be prepared to give another chance to GALVIN to get back to winning ways.

The eight-year-old got the better of subsequent Cheltenham Gold Winner A Plus Tard at the Dublin Racing Festival before producing an underwhelming display to finish fourth in the big day at Prestbury Park. However, he was ridden with an unusual amount of restraint on that occasion, I wonder if with hindsight connections may have employed more forceful tactics to make the most of the gelding's stamina (stays 3m6f). He will love the ground, is still relatively unexposed and normally a sound jumper. The market may have overlooked him slightly.

Switching codes, and looking ahead to the Flat, a lot of eyes will be on Newmarket, but looking further ahead, and going to Epsom, I am keen on the chances of the Aidan O'Brien-trained CONCERT HALL for the Oaks. With doubts around a few of the protagonists, O'Brien confirmed that this would be the target for her on the back of her battling success in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan, where she showed a really willing attitude in the hands of Ryan Moore.

She enjoyed the step up to 10f for the first time, and there should be even more to come from her as she pursues middle distances; her Dam, Was, won the Oaks and she has a fairly stamina-laden pedigree. 12f should be perfect for her, and I can see her odds of 12/1 for the Epsom Classic only tumbling.

Advice:

Galvin, Punchestown Gold Cup, Wednesday 26th April 17:55, 1pt win 7/1 (BetVictor)
Concert Hall, Epsom, Friday 3rd June, The Oaks, 1pt win 12/1 (bet365)