Punchestown

Its Day 3 of the festival and we send out 10 runners.

RAYDAMANN has his first start in handicap company in the Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle. A winner of his maiden hurdle last time out in Clonmel, he has been running well in maiden hurdles this season and should improve for getting a win under his belt. Sam Ewing takes the ride.

WHAT’S UP DARLING represents us in the Listed Handicap Chase. He was unlucky to be brought down on his handicap debut at the Cheltenham Festival but was none the worse for that incident and finished 3rd last time out in a beginners chase. Danny Gilligan will be in the saddle today.

THE GOFFER runs in the La Touche Cross Country Chase. 4th in the cross country chase at the Cheltenham Festival and 3rd in the Topham Chase at Aintree last time out, he has taken really well to the unique fences in this sphere and provided he stays the trip, he should show a good account of himself. Danny Gilligan rides.

We send 4 to post in the Listed Handicap Hurdle. BEACON EDGE sits at the top of the weights in this contest. He has been a brilliant horse for connections and has the benefit of Josh Williamson in the saddle who claims a valuable 7lb however it might be a tough ask under so much weight. YEATS STAR revert back to hurdles today. Fresh from a break since the the autumn, he should stay the trip but might just need the run. Finn Brickley rides and takes 7lb off his back. THE FRIDAY MAN is also having his first run back after a break. A winner of his beginners chase on his penultimate start, he has never finished out of the placings on his 6 starts over hurdles with 4 wins under his belt. He should run a nice race today with Danny Gilligan booked to ride. BALLYBOW completes the line up. A dual winner over hurdles this season, he sits at the bottom of the weights here today although the ground may be a concern if it dries out any more. Sam Ewing rides.

TEAHUPOO bids to make it back to back victories in the Champion Stayers Hurdle. He was just pipped in the stayers hurdle at Cheltenham but still ran a huge race and has been a real superstar for the yard. He comes here in excellent form and is sure to run another big race under Sam Ewing.

Our final runners of the day are in the bumper. HE CAN’T DANCE was third in a Grade 2 bumper before finishing 8th in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Holds a strong each way chance here today under Josh Williamson. KOKTAIL BRUT was third in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last time out and is another who can’t be discounted under Harry Swan.