Punchestown Festival: second day

the Punchestown Festival continues with another strong card, but the poor weather and very testing ground are a problem. Once again it is a late afternoon meeting, with the first race at 16.40 CET. The Grade One novice hurdle at 17.55 looks quite open, but we expect Willie Mullins to dominate here; he has 3 runners with Ruby Walsh partnering Sous les Cieux, equipped with blinkers for the first time.

He is trying today´s trip of 3 miles for the first time, and was beaten almost 25 lengths at Cheltenham, but is still our selection. Stable companions Marasonnien (Paul Townend) and Vesper Bell (David Casey) could also run well, but Ipsos du Berlais (Noel Meade/ Davy Russell) looks the main danger.

The Punchestown Gold Cup at 18.30 is the best race of the day and we expect Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh to complete a double here with Quel Esprit. After 3 easy wins on heavy ground, he was fancied for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but then missed that race, while most of today´s opponents ran at the meeting. Captain Chris (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) did best there, finishing fourth in the Ryanair with Rubi Light (Robert Hennessy/ Andrew Lynch) fifth and German-bred Noble Prince (Paul Nolan/ Barry Geraghty) pulled up. Noble Prince won´t like today´s going, but the other two should finish in the money.

The bumper at 19.05 is the other Grade One event. This looks extremely tricky. Champagne Fever (Wiliie and Paddy Mullins) made all to win the equivalent race at Cheltenham from New Years Eve (John Ferguson/ Robbie McNamara), but we are not certain that this form will be confirmed. The unbeaten Venture Capital (Philip Fenton/ Alan Berry) and Fickle Fortune (Noel Meade/ Nina Carberry) are just two of several dangers.