Punchestown Festival - final day

Today is the fifth and final day of the Punchestown Festival and once again a very strong card with some huge fields. Main feature is the Grade One hurdle for 4yo´s at 17.20 CET, in which Alan King´s Franchoek (Tony McCoy) bids to continue the run of British successes at the meeting. He is the logical winner, following his excellent places at Cheltenham and Aintree, but one has to worry that his had season may catch up on him. Willie Mullins saddles the main danger in Quevega (Davy Condon), a very easy winner of both her starts over hurdles but steppiung up in grade, and possibly better suited by softer going. Won in the Dark (Sabrina Harty/ Davy Russell) has twice finished behind Franchoek this season, but could still spring a surprise here. With Ruby Walsh in England, Willie Mullins, who hasenjoyed a tremendous week, again relies on Davy Condon, who rides the beaten Serpentaria in the Grade Three mares hurdle at 16.10 and she should certainly be thereabouts. The Ballymore Handicap Hurdle over 2 1/2 milesat 17.55 is the richest European handicap hurdle with 150,000 euros to the winner and not surprisingly there is a maximum field of 25 runners. Ex-German Heavenly Blues (Ted Walsh/ Davy Russell) last ran over jumps a year ago, but was recently third onn the flat and looks to have good prospects here. It s not yet clear if top-weight Kalderon, who ran yesterday, will turn out again, or whether Tony Martin´s Leg Spinner, currently second reserve, will get in the race - if he does, he will probably start favourite.