With two meeting on today we have 9 runners heading to Punchestown for day two of the winter festival.
At Punchestown COKO BEACH is our first runner of the day, in the first race which kicks off at 11.35am. He was running a blinder, till unseating rider at the fourth last in the Velka Pardubice. A previous winner over the banks course last February, he carries a 5lb penalty for that win, but comes here in brilliant form. He sets a fine standard on ratings alone and Jack Kennedy is reunited with him.
In the second race of the day the 2 mile 5 furlong maiden hurdle. We have two runners going to post MASTERBOY DAVIS and SON OF ANARCY. MASTERBOY DAVIS returns to action and makes his debut over hurdles. He takes on this trip for the first time and should come into his own over hurdles. SON OF ANARCY makes his racecourse debut, an impressive point-to-point winner, he is a real imposing type and hopefully he can make a good start to his career on the racetrack. Mark Walsh rides.
In the third race of the day “Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle” we have two runners going to post, RIVIERE D’ETEL and SPECULATRIX. RIVIERE D’ETEL a high class chaser, carries first time cheek pieces today and always seems better going right handed, it would be no surprise if she was to get her head in front, Jack Kennedy rides. SPECULATRIX was a faller when looking like she was going to bolt up in her maiden hurdle in Killarney in early October. She has had some time to recover from that fall and seems in really good form at home. She gets weight off her rivals, as she is yet to win over hurdles and Darragh O’Keeffe takes the mount today.
SLANAGAIBHGOLEIR makes his return to action in the fourth race of the day the 3 mile “Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle”. He won over course and distance when victorious in his maiden hurdle in January. He makes his third start in handicap company and has the benefit of a valuable 7lb claimer Finn Brickley on board.
In the “BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase (Grade 2)” we have two going to post, FARREN GLORY and TOUCH ME NOT. FARREN GLORY was a grade 1 winner as a novice over hurdles and comes here off the back of a win at Naas, 2 weeks ago, on his second start over fences. He loves this trip and hopefully can make it back to back wins, Jack Kennedy rides. TOUCH ME NOT makes his second start over fences, he faces a stiff task against previous winners but he went down fighting on his chasing debut over course and distance. Keith Donoghue rides.
KALYPSO’CHANCE makes his racecourse debut, a previous point-to-point winner in England, he has been doing things nicely at home and hopefully he can make his presence felt today. He runs in the Gigginstown House Stud colours and has Harry Swan on board who takes 3lbs off.
