Day 2 of the Punchestwon festival and we head over with 10 runners
HOWDOYALIKEHERHOME is a non runner in the first race of the day.
In the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Final we send two down to post. KISH BANK got that all important maiden hurdle win last time out after knocking on the door on two occasions. He should relish the step up in trip and will be the mount of James Smith who claims a valuable 5lb. SCALPNAGOON won his maiden and novice hurdle back to back this season before failing to make an impression in a Grade 2 contest. We’re expecting him to show a much better account of himself today with Danny Gilligan booked to ride.
AMERICAN MIKE makes the switch back to flights today as he lines up in a field of 8 in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle. He’s been running well in handicap chases of late and we are hoping he can go well reverting back to hurdles. Danny Gilligan rides.
In the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle so we are represented by three runners. HONESTY POLICY has rapidly risen through the ranks since joining us from the point to point field. He is 3 from 4 over hurdles and was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree last time out over 2m4f. He looks as though he should appreciate the step up in trip and is certainly one for the shortlist. Mark Walsh rides. CARDCOUNTER made all from the front to win at Navan last time out over 2m6f. He looks and out and out stayer and should show a good account of himself today with Sam Ewing in the plate. FAMILIAR DREAMS ran a great race in Aintree last time out to finish 5th over 3 miles. Being the only mare in the race she carries 7lb less and should go well under Jordan Gainford.
CLASSICAL CREEK is a non runner in the grade 1 Champion Bumper so we just send out KALYPSO’CHANCE. He won his first two bumpers in fine style before finishing 11th in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham. We’ve put a line through that run and hopeful that he’ll show a much better account of himself on home turf. Harry Swan rides.
Our final runners of the day are in the Grade 3 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase. LIGHTKEEPER has been a progressive sort for connections and steps up into Grade 3 company for the first time today. He will be partnered by Jordan Gainford who won on him last time out. MARS HARPER finished down the field in the Topham chase but did put in a great performance for connections in Cheltenham when finishing 4th in the Plate Handicap Chase. He’s not one to be discounted. Sam Ewing rides. RIAAN also outran his odds in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham where he finished a close 6th. He’s been freshened up since and could also be involved at the business end under Danny Gilligan.