Irish cracks at Punchestown today

Easily the best race in Britain and Ireland today is the Grade Two Tied Cottage Chase over 2 miles at 14.50 CET at Punchestown. The 5 runners include Ireland´s four best two-milers plus the pacemaker Changing Course. He is in the field to help Sizing Europe (Harry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch), winner of the Arkle at Cheltenham last March, who still has a choice of targets for this year´s Festival as it is still not clear what is his best trip.

We do not believe that he can beat Big Zeb (Colm Murphy/ Barry Geraghty) over this distance, who won this race last year en route to taking the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Willie Mullins´ pair Golden Silver (Paul Townend) and Scotsirish (Davy Condon) are smart two-milers but well held by Big Zeb. Indeed Goldensilver - who will probably finish runner-up today - has won his 6 of his last 10 races and on the other 4 always finished behind Big Zeb. There seems to be no logical reason at all why Big Zeb should not win today.

The Grade Two novice hurdle at 15.50 looks much more open. Willie Mullins again saddles two runners - Gagewell Flyer (Townend) and ex-French Earlson Gray, partnered by his nephew Emmet, who does not look good enough. Gagewell Flyer scored in good style at Naas last time, but is penalised for that success and we are nor sure that he can concede the weight to the promising Big Game Hunter (Mouse Morris/ Geraghty) and Joe Smooth (Noel Meade/ Davy Russell)

As mentioned earlier, the cross-country race, due to open the card at 14.20, has been cancelled because of frozen patches of ground.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Garde Champetre - Sizing Australia - One Cool Cookie
2. Race: Big Zeb - Sizing Europe - Golden Silver
3. Race: Rocco`S Hall - Some Target - Droim Toll
4. Race: Gagewell Flyer - Tornedo Shay - Joe Smooth
5. Race: Jetson - Harpsy Cord - Westmeath
6. Race: Lough Ferrib - Benash - Golden Sunbird
7. Race: Celtic Folklore - Steele`S Rock - Starling Lady