Punchestown Day 5 Tips: Saturday Selections From @RoadCheltenham

All eyes are on Punchestown for the fifth and final day of the 2025 Festival and I’ve got three selections as I bid to end the week on a high. The very best of luck to you all and thanks for reading throughout the 2024/25 jumps season!

15:42 Punchestown

Brighterdaysahead is a worthy favourite on all known form but she’s been on the go for a while now and reports claim she returned with stomach ulcers after Cheltenham. With that in mind, I’m taking her on with the Willie Mullins-trained Jade De Grugy.

Second to stablemate Lossiemouth in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, Jade De Grugy can cement her status as a top class mare by clinching a second Grade 1 success having won the Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last season.

Lossiemouth has won three Grade 1s this season and finishing second to her is by no means a disgrace. Jade De Grugy could go over fences in the autumn so it’d be great to see her claim a Grade 1 in open company on Saturday afternoon.

16:15 Punchestown

Amirite has danced plenty of dances this season and I’m hoping he has one more big performance in him before he heads off for summer. Henry de Bromhead’s runners have failed to inspire confidence this week but he will relish the quick surface.

An impressive fourth in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree, he runs off an Irish mark of 140 and he could go from bridesmaid to bride if everything goes to plan here. He is 1-13 over fences and 2-17 under rules but he has ran well the last twice.

The presence of top weight Sam Brown means Amirite has a lovely racing weight and he will have Darragh O’Keeffe in the plate. Rachael Blackmore has chosen Majestic Force but I’m wondering if she’s picked the wrong one...

16:50 Punchestown

Murcia relished quicker conditions at Aintree and she bolted up to win the Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Yo Hurdle. She has blown very hot and cold this year though so carries a fair amount of risk but that is factored into her current price.

She doesn’t interest me from an each way perspective as I can see her either winning or completely blowing out. If we get the best version of Murcia, she stands a great chance on ground that may be too quick for many of her rivals.

Poniros won the Triumph Hurdle but Lulamba was almost certainly the best horse in the race and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the form reversed. However, Nicky Henderson’s mount is a big, scopey type and he was pulled at Aintree due to quick ground so that is a worry for him.