3.20pm Punchestown Tips & Betting Preview 12/10/2016

Our race preview takes a look at an intriguing match-up between two potentially smart Hurdlers at Punchestown. See our betting tips below to see who we feel will come out on top in this most likely close finish.

IN SUMMARY: Fire In His Eyes will most likely be well fancied after not fully disgracing himself pitched into hot company on hurdles debut back in April. However, the well touted son of Dom Alco, BOSCO DI ALCO, stepped up from his bumper debut to hold on grimly to win a Down Royal Bumper back in May. The form of that race is working out nicely and now upped in trip, he may well improve past Gordon Elliot’s new recruit.

1 BOSCO DI ALCO – Wasn’t disgraced on his bumper debut at the Punchestown Festival when finishing 5th of 24 (2m2f, Yielding). Stepped up on the effort to win at Down Royal in game style in May (2m, Good) and the form of that race is working out very nicely. The well touted son of Dom Alco (who’s progeny includes Silviniaco Conti, Neptune Collonges and Al Ferof) will only improve for the step up in trip and may well be able to improve sufficiently to make the perfect start over hurdles.

2 FIRE IN HIS EYES – Won very very easily on his 2nd bumper start when crushing his rivals at Wexford in March (2m4f, Soft), and followed that up when not completely disgraced in a hot novices event at Punchestown in May (2m, Yielding). Switched from AJ Martin to Gordon Elliot since then and should appreciate this step up in distance. Has to be considered a huge danger, but it remains to be seen what that Punchestown run amounts to (was around 16 lengths off of the Top 3).

3 REDROBIN – Has been a quirky sort but for the most part a very consistent hurdler for David Harry Kelly. Has the best hurdle form on offer, but his career best was back in 2014 and didn’t really improve for his 2 year break when 23rd of 30 at Navan (2m, Yielding to Soft). Went better when placing at Fairyhouse latest (2m4f, Good) but very vulnerable to the improvers, so placing is probably his best hope.

4 THEKINGOFROCKNROLL – Quite possible that he needed the run when 7th of 30 on hurdling debut at Navan (2m, Yielding to Soft) and did show some ability in his bumpers. Will probably struggle to place today without some significant improvement.

5 WILLIE THE WARRIOR – Not seen since his fall when weakening at Tramore back in June (2m, Good). Well beaten 4th at Tipperary the time before that and will most likely struggle today.

6 LANDOFHOPENDREAMS – Can only be judged on her tailed off bumper debut at Wexford in July (2m2f, Good), which wasn’t exactly a good start to her rules life. Hard to see her getting involved today.

7 THAT’S MY ROBIN – Point to Point winner in March who was a well beaten 12th when tailing off at Gowran Park at the start of the month (2m4, Yielding). Would be a huge surprise to see her anywhere near the placings.

8 LITTLE MOZZER – Well beaten in both a Point to Point in March and then on rules debut when tailed off at huge odds over hurdles at Clonmel last month (2m, Good). Not considered.

myracing Forecast Prices: 1/1 Fire In His Eyes, 13/8 Bosco Di Alco, 4/1 Redrobin, 12/1 Thekingofrocknroll, 18/1 Willie The Warrior, 50/1 Landofhopendreams, 66/1 That’s My Robin, 100/1 Little Mozzer