Punchestown Festival - day three

the Punchestown Festival continues today, its third day, and there are two Grade One races on The card, but the most spectacuar event is certain to be the La Touche Cup over 4 1/4 miles at 16.05CET, Ireland´s most important cross-country race. Trainer Enda Bolger has won this an incredible ten times running, and has a good chance today with top-weight Garde Champetre (Nina Carberry), who won a similar race at the Cheltenham N.H. Festival with several of these behind. However at the weights it would be no surprise if stable-companion Freneys Well (J.T.McNamara) comes out on top today, while others to consider are Wonderkid, beaten favourite at Cheltenham, and A New Story, fourth in the Irish Grand National. The World Series Hurdle over 3 miles at 17.50 is also in part a re-run of Cheltenham, where Kazal finished third and Blazing Bailey fourth. The latter has since narrowly defeated Faasel at Aintree, while a new opponent is the much improved Cooldine, who has won his last 5 races. Also of interest are the two German-breds Aitmatov, 6th at Cheltenham, and Catch Me, 6th in the Champion Hurdle and now trying this distance for the first time. The two mile novice chase at 16.40 should concern mainly Perce Rock (Tommy Stack/ Tony McCoy), who has won his last two and seems to have ironed out his jumping problems, and consistent Thyne Again (Liam Burke/ Davy Russell).