3.55pm Punchestown Tips & Betting Preview 15/10/2015

Race Time: 3.55pm Meeting: Punchestown Day: Thursday 15th October
Distance: 2m 2f Full Race Name:  Buck House Novice Chase (Grade Three)

Named after the legendary chaser, who took the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham way back in 1986, and was a decent enough horse worth remembering in a race title for trainer Mouse Morris and his connections, this two and a quarter mile novice chase has seen some pretty decent winners over the years possibly headed by Sizing Europe in 2009, who won over £1.3 million in prize money before his retirement earlier this year.

Whether anything of that calibre is in contention this afternoon who knows, but we can say that Henry De Bromhead looks sure to back for another bite of the cherry with Sizing Platinum who is not actually related to Sizing Europe, but is also owned by Ann and Alan Potts. Sizing Platinum (7/2) ought to be in with half a chance with his added experience after three outings over the larger obstacles that include victories at Limerick and Galway as well as a runners up spot behind The Game Changer at Roscommon last time out, but as they think the winner is Cheltenham bound that isn’t as bad as it looks at first glance (see below).

Beaten two and a half lengths that day it looks possible that The Game Changer (6/4) will re oppose here on two pound worse terms, but if he is as good as they think he is, that won’t be enough to turn the form around. A six year old in training with Gordon Elliott he has already raced over fences on seven occasions for five wins and two second places so consistency is his middle name, though be warned, they make it quite clear he likes good or faster ground so if the rains fall between now and Thursday his chances will diminish accordingly.

Shantou Flyer (12/1) is another we need to mention (actually we can cover all five now the final line up is known), and the five year old arrives here with recent winning form over fences for trainer Colin Bowe having scored last time out by half a length at Sligo. That was over two and three quarter miles though and it really does look as if he ought to find they all go a lot too quick for him over this shorter trip this afternoon, though we would expect him to be running on through beaten horses up the home straight if anyone is stupid enough to set off at a suicidal early pace.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has decided to confuse us all by leaving Miss Dinamic (5/1) in the race and with Ruby booked to ride we have to sit up and take notice. She does get weight all round form her older more experienced or male rivals, and she ahs already won a chase at Killarney, but her form doesn’t quite add up to that of the principles though she could yet chase home her stable mate for a decent enough forecast?

Last of the five in our view, barring mistakes or a fall, ought to be Rightdownthemiddle (7/1) unless chasing improves him hand over fist. He has got a 100% record over fences with the one win at Listowel but on all known hurdling form he isn’t in the same league as the others and will be hoping for a place at the very best.