William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan is back to preview Day Four of the Punchestown Festival.
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Punchestown, Friday
The hunters’ chase (4:15pm) sees Its On The Line chasing a hat-trick of wins in the race, but is it that simple? I’m not so sure. I’m going to side with Big Interest. He was very impressive when beating Hollow Games at Fairyhouse, giving him an 18-length beating. He will relish the drying conditions and is still on the improve — I think he can cause an upset here.
The Grade Two mares’ chase (4:50pm) was won last time by Brides Hill, who reopposes this time. However, I can’t see past Dinoblue — she’s been in the form of her life this season. She trounced Allegorie De Vassy and Brides Hill at Cheltenham, and I expect her to confirm the form here. It’s boring, but a winner is a winner!
The novice handicap chase (5:25pm) has a mixture of exposed horses and handicap debutants. Of the unexposed sorts, I find Blizzard Of Oz the most interesting. His form has stacked up well after his third behind Lecky Watson and Slade Steel earlier in the season. He remains a maiden over fences, but I believe a mark of 141 underestimates him — I can see a big run under JJ Slevin this time around.
The Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle (6:05pm) has a strong roll of honour. Won last year by Ballyburn, the year before by Impaire Et Passe and, of course, State Man in 2022 — it takes a really good horse to win it. The Yellow Clay and Final Demand are both in, and it looks a strong renewal. However, I really like Lovely Hurling; he really impressed me in his maiden at Naas in February, winning as he liked. He is well-bred and I think he is a very classy animal — I can see him springing a surprise.
The Grade One Champion Hurdle (6:40pm) has been won ten times by Willie Mullins. State Man chases the hat-trick in the race, with Golden Ace bidding to emulate him and Honeysuckle in winning both the Champion Hurdle and this race. Let’s not forget the small matter of Constitution Hill finally making it over to this side of the Irish Sea! We have finally got the match we always wanted, three years in the making. There is no question in my mind that he is the best horse in the race; I just don’t know if he is still the horse he was two years ago. State Man was a revelation in first-time cheekpieces at the Cheltenham Festival and, considering his reliability and the fact he loves Punchestown, I’m going to say he will make it a hat-trick of wins in this race. However, if Constitution Hill can get his act together, this could be his coronation, but as it stands, he has too many questions to answer, and I think State Man will reign supreme.
The novice hurdle (7:10pm) is a tricky puzzle; many of the horses are without collateral form. Regular readers will know I fancied Naturally Nimble for the Fred Winter; he wasn’t declared. Beaten when falling three out at Aintree, I’m not surprised they have reached for headgear now. He will relish the conditions, he’s got class and if his recent fall hasn’t left a mark, he will take the beating here.
