Punchestown: day three

After more rain, the going will be testing on the third day of the big Irish N.H. meeting at Punchestown. Main fatitr today is the Grade One 3 mile hurdle at 18.30 CET, where stamina will definitely be an issue. Likely favourite Fiveforthree (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) has never run over this far before, which could be a disadvantage, though trainer and jockey remain in almost unbeatable form. The same goes for Brave Inca (Colm Murphy/ Tony McCoy), while the 3 British hopes, best of whom are probably Duc de Regnieres (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) are at least proven over the trip.

The Grade One novice chase over 2 miles at 19.50 should go to "Arkle" winner Forpadydeplasterer (Tom Cooper/ Geraghty) if he can run up to his Cheltneham form. Paul Nicholls runs Tatenen, very disappointing lately and now partnered for the first time by McCoy, while Walsh prefers to ride Willie Mullins´ Deutschland. The other big feature is the La Touche Cup at 17.55, a cross country over 4 1/4 miles which has been dominated in recent years by Enda Bolger. he runs 3 now, all in the JP McManus colours, of whom Garde Champetre (Nona Carberry) is clearly the best. However he has a huge weight, and it is not clear that he can give away so much weight to Silver Birch (Gordon Elliott/ Robbie Power), winner of the 2008 Grand National, and A New Story (Michael Hourigan/ Andrew McNamara), third in the Irish version where Garde Champtere was pulled up.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ainama - Jessies Dream - Uimhiraceathair
2. Race: Valain - Reisk Superman - Freds Benefit
3. Race: Garde Champetre - Silver Birch - A New Story
4. Race: Fiveforthree - Powerstation - Fair Along
5. Race: Candy Girl - Aggie`S Lad - Sonnium
6. Race: Forpadydeplasterer - Tatenen - Deutschland
7. Race: Quel Esprit - Katmai - Skorcher