Punchestown - Second day

The big Punchestown meeting continues today with the highest profile runner of the week in action- Kauto Star (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) who runs in the Guinness Gold Cup, a steeplechase over 3 miles 1 furlong at 18.30 CET. Kauto Star was last seen in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he finished very tired and weakened into third after holding every chance two out. This looks much easier - the first two from Cheltenham are not running - and the slightly shorter distance will also help. It will be a big suprise if he is beaten here. Front-running grey Nacarat (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) and Kempes (Willie Mullins/ Tony McCoy), who looks by far the best of the local hopes, can follow him home.

The other Grade One race is the Champion INH Flat Race at 19.05. There are 15 runners, but the finish is likely to concern only Steps to Freedom (Gordon Elliott/ Nina Carberry), a very easy winner at Aintree, and Waaheb (Dermot Weld/ Robbie McNamara), unbeaten in 3 starts and particularly impressive last time. He can go right to the top for his new owner JP McManus, who acquired him last week for an undisclosed but undoubtedly huge sum. Like all Irish bumpers, this race is restricted to amateur riders, but the two mentioned here are better than most professionals.
The Grade 2 novice hurdle over 3 miles at 17.55 is another tough race with 16 runners, 4 of them trained by Willie Mullins, of whom the best should be Bishopsfurze (Ruby Walsh); however we are hoping for another British winner here as Battle Group (David Pipe/ Barry Geraghty) won in such good style at Aintree that we expect him to score again in this slightly better race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Laughing Boy - Steele`S Rock - Accordion To Paddy
2. Race: Rigidity - Empire Levant - Street Entertainer
3. Race: Bishopsfurze - Knockfierna - Battle Group
4. Race: Kauto Star - Nacarat - Kempes
5. Race: Waaheb - Steps To Freedom - Lovethehigherlaw
6. Race: Osana - Scotsirish - Carrigmartin
7. Race: Faha - Are Ya Right Chief - Alfred James