Jane Mangan’s William Hill Blog: Will Galopin be Fastorslow this time?

It’s so sad that we don’t have Shishkin contesting the Punchestown Gold Cup (5.25pm). His news during the week was tragic, but we move on to what is still a very deep and strong renewal of the race with nine runners declared.

Last year’s champion, Fastorslow, takes on Galopin Des Champs in search of retribution for his early departure in the Cheltenham equivalent and, despite running loose with him to the line, hopefully he can come here a fresher horse. The pace is guaranteed with Hewick now equipped with blinkers and I expect this to be a strongly run affair. Corach Rambler will stay well, but I don’t think he has the class of Fastorslow or Galopin Des Champs, who are the pair I expect to fight out this battle. Going right-handed, Fastorslow could eclipse Galopin Des Champs in a race that he beat him in last year. He confirmed this form in the John Durkan back in November, and I think he’s the one to beat here too.

The Champion bumper (4.50pm) is a very interesting race – 12 have been declared and the reigning Cheltenham winner, Jasmin De Vaux, is in there against the horse that finished second to him; Romeo Coolio. I think that Romeo Coolio could turn it around here, and he’s my idea of the winner, but I’m going to play this race by looking for an each-way price. You Oughta Know is, I think, going to be much better on better ground and, despite being well-beaten at Cheltenham, on his Dublin Racing Festival form back in February, he could run a huge race at big odds.

In the three mile novices’ hurdle (4.15pm), we just about have an each-way price with only eight runners. Dancing City is by away and afar the best horse in the race. For whatever reason, Cheltenham didn’t work out for him, but he’s run to beat Predators Gold at the Dublin Racing Festival and he’s run at Aintree against The Jukebox Man, so I think he’ll be extremely hard to beat. If I’m to play this race from an each-way perspective, I am expecting a much better performance from An Tobar, who could be a big price for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He should appreciate better ground and bounce back to something like the form that saw him run so well in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December and we could see him run a big race.

In the 3.05pm, I find it very difficult to oppose Answer To Kayf. His runs this year have been ultra-consistent to a Grade Two level and his run in the Martin Pipe behind Better Days Ahead is the best piece of form on offer here. I can’t see past him in this race, so for me, it’s up to him to find all the answers here.

There’s a lot of depth in the mares’ bumper (6.35pm) and a lot of really good pedigrees on show. I was really impressed by Mozzies Sister and what she did in the bumper at Cork. She has a high cruising speed and clearly a lot of ability, having won her point-to-point by 12 lengths. For trainer-rider Declan Queally, I think she’s going to be very hard to beat because the filly she beat at Cork – Lep Around – subsequently won and franked the form. She mightn’t be near the top of the market and she didn’t go to any of the spring festivals, so she might give us a bit of value.

I think the 6.00pm could go for export; Jetoile has a good level of form this year for Ryan Potter and five-pound claiming Dylan Johnston. His win at Aintree beating Minella Drama reads well and I think that, being by Jeremy, this better ground with bring about further improvement. He pulled up last time on heavy ground at Newbury and his best form is on good or good to soft, so I think he could be one for the Brits on Wednesday.