7.45pm Punchestown Tips & Betting Preview 27/04/2017

Beaten in a hot looking bumper on debut, CATWALK KING readily left that run behind when winning easily at Cork in March with an impressive effort. He travelled well into the race and stormed right away from his rivals when taking over three furlongs out, showing a good turn of foot and hope for much better in the future. Although not sold for 4,800 euros and not having the most impressive of pedigrees, he’s clearly a useful prospect and sets the standard form wise for Elizabeth Doyle, with the booking of J J Codd an eye catcher. He should go well if taking another step forward and has to be respected.

Robert Tyner does well in the bumpers and Midnight Stroll was far from disgraced on bumper debut last month and is entitled to come on for the run. The five year old by Midnight Legend was kept out the back before coming home strong late on to snatch second, showing some signs of inexperience which may have cost him his winning chance. Related to some useful types and booked to have Derek O’Connor in the saddle, if taking a step forward from that debut he should be in their pitching and couldn’t be discounted by any stretch. The ground is in his favour and he looks one of the main players.

Bought by powerful connections after a run at Pau in January for Emmanual Clayeux, Sir Carno was a £70,000 purchase two months ago and has been transferred to Gordon Elliott. Related to some useful middle distance runners, he will perhaps come into his own at the longer trips but for now this should be a sufficient test. Lisa O’Neill takes 5lb off his back and is well worth her claim so this four year old is one to watch in the betting and should have his part to play on debut.

Neil Mulholland takes his Dead Right over which could be telling and he does have the form in the books to make him interesting in this. Second on bumper debut in a slog at Uttoxeter back in December behind De Dollar Man (with that form having substance), he lost a shoe when eight at Newbury on hurdling debut, so perhaps it isn’t fair to judge him on that effort. He heads back into bumpers 75 days later which is an intriguing move and he may well be a place contender if this better ground isn’t a problem for the five year old. He has seven pounds taken off the back thanks to JJ O’Neill’s claim and the potential is there for a big run, so he deserves a second look.

Off the track for 529 days, a win for Cherokee Bill would be a fantastic training performance by Noel Meade and it certainly couldn’t be discounted for a trainer in brilliant form at present. Half brother to the useful Daisy’s Gift, he was far from disgraced when third on bumper debut at Punchestown in November, keeping on well enough under Nina Carberry. He’ll have the services of D J Benson this time who takes 5lb off his back and the market will be crucial after such a long absence, as it’s hard to know how he is after such a long time on the sidelines.