World Series Hurdle on Punchestown´s third day

Main feature of Punchestown´s third day is the World Series Hurdle over 3 miles at 18.30 CET, in which Wullie Mullins (two winners yesterday!) has a strong hand with 3 entries. Although Mikael d´Haguenet, with nephew Emmet in the saddle, has been very disappointing all recent starts- mainly over fences- and can probably be ignored, his other two runners Mourad (Katie Walsh) and Quevega (Ruby) could well take the first two places.

Mourad finished third to Big Bucks and Grands Crus, the two best 3 mile hurdlers around, at Cheltenham, which is very strong form, but Quevega is obviously the main hope. The 7yo mare has been very skilfully placed to win 7 of her 9 career starts -including 3 times here- and won this race last year. On her only start since she was a most impressive winner of the mares´ hurdle at Cheltenham and she looks a worthy favourite to continue her winning run.

The main supporting event is the La Touche Cup iver 4 mils 1 furlong at 17.50, Ireland´s most important cross-country race. Enda Bolger has a fantastic record here, having won 8 of the last 9 runnings and has entered Outlaw Pete (JT McNamara), a lucky winner of a similar event here on Tuesday, and Garde Champetre (Nina Carberry), who is clear best on ratings, and although 12 years old, and better known as a Cheltenham specialist, looks very hard to beat here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Prince Of Pirates - Son Amix - Bagber
2. Race: Tawaagg - Un Hinged - Coscorrig
3. Race: Garde Champetre - Outlaw Pete - Heads Onthe Ground
4. Race: Quevega - Mourad - Voler La Vedette
5. Race: Sir Vincent - Kerb Appeal - Alfa Beat
6. Race: Captain Chris - Realt Dubh - Saludos
7. Race: Sizing India - Vesper Bell - Malt Master