Punchestown: final day

Today is the fifth and final day of the Punchestown Festival and once again the veryx heavy ground mrans that there are small fields in the top races. Willie Mullins saddles two of the 5 runners in the Grade One mares hurdle at 17.25 CET and can take the first two places with Tarla (Ruby Walsh) and Glens Melody (Paul Townend). Mullins should also win the Grade One 4yo hurdle at 18.00, where he has 4 of the 6 runners. Ruby rides Triumph Hurdle fourth Diakali and he looks the likeliest winner.

The other races look more competitive, especially the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.45. On His Own (Mullins/ Walsh) was our fancy for the Grand National, but ran no sort of race; he had top weight here and we are sceptical. Liberty Counsel (Dot Love/ PD Kennedy) won the Irish version, but we doubt that he can follow up here with an extra 11 lbs weight, and 7th-placed Magnanimity (Dessie Hughes/ Davy Russell) may reverse the form this time. Wyck Hill (David Bridgwater/ Mark Walsh) will love the ground, but also has a huge weight. We shall go for one of the bottom weights - Miss Pepperpot (Francis Flood/ PT Enright), who was runner-up here last year; she has shown little since, but is now very well handicapped as a result.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Shakervilz - Outlaw Pete - Uncle Junior
2. Race: Aupcharlie - Mikael D`Haguenet - Dylan Ross
3. Race: On His Own - Sword Fish - Liberty Counsel
4. Race: Glens Melody - Swincombe Flame - Oilily
5. Race: Diakali - Blood Cotil - Stocktons Wing
6. Race: Il Fenomeno - Fahamore - Byerley Babe
7. Race: Sukiyaki - High Handel - Martello Tower
8. Race: Rockyaboya - Director`s Forum - Newmill