3.10pm Punchestown Tips & Betting Preview 29/04/2017

The British raider COURTOWN OSCAR has been posted two good efforts over fences the last twice for Philip Kirby and should be capable of a big effort under Danny Mullins. He was a good second at Ayr in March over the three mile trip in heavy conditions, keeping on well but never able to challenge and he built on that run to finish a game second at Haydock when last seen two weeks ago. There he showed his stamina as despite coming off the bridle for a good while, he kept on dourly to only be beaten around four lengths. He has been dropped 2lb despite posting a good effort and the extra distance with conditions to suit should only help improve this eight year old. He looks booked to go very close and has to be respected.

Robbie Power is a turning into a machine of late and seems unstoppable, which only enhances the chances of Call It Magic, who looks well weighted for a big run under the hottest jockey in National Hunt racing right now. A lightly raced seven year old who remains unexposed over fences, he also remains with huge amounts of potential upped to this trip after multiple runs at around 2m 5f where he has been running on late. On his latest start at Fairyhouse over the 2m 4f trip, he again came home well late on to finish second, seemingly screaming out for a longer trip and he only has been raised 4lb in the handicap. He proved over hurdles he stays well at the three mile trip so his stamina seems unlikely to be an issue and this potentially well handicapped Ross O’Sullivan inmate can go close in this.

He’s been gallant in defeat this season and it would certainly be fitting if Bless The Wings gained a much deserved victory in this for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. He ran a blinder on his penultimate start in the Glenfarclas Cross Country when second to the Grand National second Cause Of Causes, losing nothing in defeat. Again he only found one to good in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse two weeks ago, with Our Duke clearly a smart prospect so again, he lost nothing in defeat. This twelve year old is use to long and hard campaigns so the gap between races isn’t of much concern and if running to he level he’s run at the last twice with conditions to suit, he’d be entitled to go very close under the brilliant Davy Russell.

Although he’s not the most consistent of eight year old’s, Tulsa Jack has been running well off comparable marks over fences and should give this a very good go under Sean Flanagan for Noel Meade. A very easy winner of a 3m 1f chase at Kilbeggan back in July, he’s been very mixed since over both fences and timber, but he did get back to form on his latest start at Downpatrick when narrowly denied by a head, running on strongly but just unable to force himself in front. He has been raised 3lb as a result but this step up in trip should help to eek out a few pounds of improvement and the ground is in his favour for this. Noel Meade’s string are going well at present and he looks sure to be involved, so needs a second look.

It’s not been an easy season for Sambremont who has form figures of BP2PP this season, but he is feasibly treated at his best and cannot be overlooked as a Mullins and Walsh combination. His jumping fell to bits in the Irish Grand National on his latest start when he weakened out of things before five out, which was disappointing considering he was only 2lb higher than his mark when second behind Baie Des Iles in the Grand National Trial here over slightly shorter in February. He remains on that same mark and conditions today will be no problem and he doesn’t seemingly have any excuses today, though that being said, he’s very risky to back as you never know which version of him you’re getting. If on form he’s entitled to be involved, but that isn’t guaranteed and he remains a risk to back.

From inconsistency to the exact opposite, He Rock’s has been doing little wrong this year for S J Mahon and could be in with a place shout off today’s mark under Paul Townend. He placed on all three of his runs in 2017 and his latest second at Fairyhouse in April was another good effort, keeping on well. He has only been raised a pound for that effort and in a race where many of these have question marks, this eight year old has looked very much straight forward this season and with conditions to suit, it’d be no surprise to see him running into a place if things drop right for him.