Punchestown Festival, fourth day

Willie Mullins has dominated the Punchestown meeting so far; he won12 races here last year and is on course to do even better this time. He has won four of the Grade One events so far decided and can add to that total today with Hurricane Fly (Paul Townend) in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at 18.30 CET. Hurricane Föy has had problems since he was last seen, when beaten by Solwhit in November, but if back to his best (which seems hugely likely in view of the stable form and the optimistic noises made by Mullins) is a top class hurdler who will be hard to beat. Solwhit (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) won this race last year by a nose from 2008 winner Punjabi (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and both are in the line-up again. Both of them ran disappointly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing behind Medermit (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), but we expect Punjabi, back on his favourite course, to do best of these now. Dunguib (Philip Fenton/ Barrie O´Connell) was another Ch eltenham flop- although in fact he ran OK, but not well enough to justify odds-on favouritism, in the Supreme Novices. he is undoubtedly a crack novice, but is taking on more experienced runners here. Another interesting runner is Ronaldo des Mottes (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy), a top handicapper moving up in grade, while Mullkins´ second runner Thousand Stars (Katie Walsh) cannot be entirely ignored. However we make Hurricane Fly a confident choice to win from Punjabi, with Ronaldo des Mottes the best outsider.

The other big race at Punchestown today is the Grade One Champion Novices Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 19.05. Mullins has another good chance with Fionnegas (Townend), who was badly hampered last time at Cheltenham. British raider Reve de Sivola (Nick Williams/ Daryl Jacob) is very consistent and has been first or second on all his starts this season. Luska Lad (Shark Hanlon/ Geraghty) could start favourite, having won his lst 3 starts, but he also prefers cut in the ground, which looks very unlikely today. Quantitativeeasing (Henderson/ Tony McCoy) and Duke of Lucca (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) are two other British entries with chances in a very open race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Special Account - Shin A Vee - Glenark
2. Race: Hold The Pin - Rock Diplomat - A New Story
3. Race: Copper Bleu - Shakervilz - Quiscover Fontaine
4. Race: Dunguib - Hurricane Fly - Solwhit
5. Race: Luska Lad - Reve De Sivola - Fionnegas
6. Race: Arvika Ligeonniere - Mr Cracker - Cass Bligh
7. Race: High Benefit - Another Cliche - Lonesome Dove
8. Race: Allee Garde - Spill The Beans - Frisco Depot