Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Punchestown Festival Day Two selections

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan is back to preview the second day of the Punchestown Festival, including the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Punchestown, Wednesday

The Adare Manor Final handicap hurdle (2:30pm) is a tricky one – it looks very difficult for punters. I like Fairyland Opera for Lorna Fowler, who won dominantly at Tramore. He has some good placed form and has a great rider on board in John Shinnick, who is just two shy of the top spot in the conditionals’ leaderboard. I hope Fairyland Opera can help him get one back!

The Red Mills Series Final handicap hurdle (3:05pm) is a fascinating race. Keith Donoghue would’ve had the chance to ride Champagne Jury, a close second to Honesty Policy last time out. However, he has stayed loyal to Millforce, who showed a good turn of foot at Thurles in January on good ground. I think he will relish the drying conditions, and he has the edge in experience over many of these. He’s the one for me.

The two-mile-and-three-furlong hurdle race (3:40pm) looks a trappy affair. Kaid D’Authie has disappointed on two occasions in Grade One company since winning at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was poor behind Kopek Des Bordes at the Dublin Racing Festival and showed even less at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m not surprised they’ve opted for headgear here, and it’s surprising to me that he has only won once. I’m willing to give him one more chance. His connections have always regarded him as a Grade One horse – surely, he’s up to winning here if that’s the case.

In the Grade One novice hurdle over three miles (4:15pm), I think Honesty Policy will really appreciate the extra half a mile in trip. He won despite needing every yard of the two-and-a-half-mile trip at Aintree. He’s an improving horse, having won his last three, and I believe he has the measure of Jasmin De Vaux.

I was lucky enough to win the Champion Bumper (4:50pm) over 10 years ago. This time around, it’s a much smaller field. Bambino Fever will be a warm order here – she’s unbeaten and looked dominant at Cheltenham – however, I believe one can go against her and run a big race. Colcannon will appreciate the drying ground. He will have to be held up as he’s a keen goer, but I can see Derek O’Connor playing his cards late. The form from the Dublin Racing Festival is working out particularly well with Sortudo winning since. I think he could spring a shock and beat the mare.

The Punchestown Gold Cup (5:30pm) is the showpiece event on the second day, and whilst we don’t have quantity, we certainly have quality. Galopin Des Champs was dethroned as the king of Cheltenham, but he has never been the king of Punchestown. From his five visits over fences, he has only won once and has still never claimed the Punchestown Gold Cup. Banbridge ran well in the King George but disappointed in the Gold Cup, and we haven’t seen Spillane’s Tower since his below-par performance in the King George. However, his form at Punchestown speaks for itself – three wins from four starts over fences, including a Grade One course-and-distance victory here last year. My parents couldn’t be happier with him; they cannot wait to get him back on track. Maybe it’s my heart ruling my head, but I’m siding with Spillane’s Tower to win the Gold Cup!

The two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase (6:05pm) is a tough contest, and I’m opting for an each-way selection. A mare who hasn’t managed to get her head in front since January 2023 is Must Be Obeyed. They’ve gone for cheekpieces as she has been a touch temperamental in recent runs, but when she channels her energy in the right way, she’s quite talented. Darragh O’Keeffe is a positive booking, riding at 10 stone 1 pound – she might take a bit of catching here.

The mares’ bumper (6:35pm) is an interesting race to close proceedings, but I think we can all agree that Paddy Twomey’s Seo Linn has been the find of the season in this division. She had a Grade One entry but has swerved taking on the geldings and Bambino Fever in favour of a far more winnable affair. She won at Cheltenham in November, followed up at Aintree, and I think she can complete the treble at the Punchestown Festival.