Punchestown Day 2 Tips: @RoadCheltenham's Quintet Of Wednesday Fancies
The Punchestown Festival is now in full swing, and with Day 1 in the history books its time to get stuck into Wednesday's offering
Without further ado, let's dive into another big day of racing across the Irish Sea and bring the Nap, win, straight forecast and each-way tips...
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15:40 Punchestown – Mistergif (NAP)
MISTERGIF has always been highly regarded since moving to Closutton and he has been on the premises in some of the biggest races this spring.
I’d say he is one of my strongest fancies of the week and a return to calmer waters here should see him in the winner’s enclosure – he is undoubtedly my NAP of Day 2.
A repeat of his efforts at Cheltenham and Aintree (137 RPR) would put him bang in the mix and I’d say the step up to 2m3f might even eek out some improvement.
16:15 Punchestown – Backmersackme (E/W)
It would be typical of Emmet Mullins to win the Grade 1 3m novice hurdle with a horse making its hurdles debut, wouldn’t it?
BACKMERSACKME won a Cork bumper on April 1st and this son of Getaway should have no trouble at all with either the ground or the step up to three miles.
The trainer won a Grade 1 novice chase with Feronily on his second try over fences but this would be absolutely outrageous if Backmersackme wins on hurdles debut in a Punchestown Festival Grade 1.
16:50 Punchestown – William Munny (WIN)
Barry Connell made no secret of the regard he holds this horse in after his success at Naas, labelling him as “the best bumper horse in the country”.
Since that statement, Ireland had the first seven home in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and four of those line up here. Can WILLIAM MUNNY, kept fresh after bypassing a trip over the water, live up to the hype?
I’m expecting him to give a strong account of himself and he’s currently a decent price to emerge victorious. It’ll be some party in County Kildare if he wins.
17:25 Punchestown – Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow (Straight Forecast)
Fastorslow downed Galopin Des Champs in this race last year but I’m expecting the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to get his revenge on Wednesday evening.
The Willie Mullins horse had a tougher race in last year’s Gold Cup than this year’s race and I’d say he will have more in the tank than at this stage last season.
I’ve a soft spot for Fastorslow and think he’ll be the ‘best of the rest’ in the race but I’m struggling to see past Galopin Des Champs if he brings his A-game.
18:35 Punchestown – Aurora Vega (WIN)
Providing the ground doesn’t go against her, I like AURORA VEGA'S chances of success in the Grade 3 mares bumper on Wednesday.
The daughter of Quevega did well to finish less than five lengths off stablemate Fleur Au Fusil at Leopardstown in February and she is now 3lbs better off at the weights.
It would be some story if she can emulate both her mother and full brother Facile Vega by winning at the Punchestown Festival in the famous Hammer & Trowel Syndicate silks.