Bello Conti (5/6) has only had 3 starts since being bought by Gigginstown but has improved with each, only narrowly being beaten over 2 miles 4 furlong at Aintree when finishing 4 lengths behind Yorkhill. He looked one pace there and the drop back in trip here makes plenty of sense. He’s shown by far the best form in the field and with a second favourite who has only had two starts in France and a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle winner as 3rd favourite he’s the obvious class horse who probably just needs to run to his last time out form to win here.
Along with Bello Conti, there are two other Gigginstown representative going for the win in this race. Alamein (11/1) was given a month off by trainer Mouse Morris, after scoring an easy win at Clonmel on his last appearance. He’s gone off at short prices in his last four races, but that Clonmel run was the only race to end in a win. He finished second to the Murray Spelman entrant Haymount in March, after coming in third behind Automated and Stuccodor the previous month.
Fire In Your Eyes (12/1) is a very lightly raced five year old, having only ran twice so far this season. He was a 33/1 shot on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown in December, but finished near the back of the field. In a bid to recapture form and fitness, he returned to flat racing this month and romped to an easy 18 length victory at Wexford. If you had to pick one of the two, you’d have to side with Alamein, but whether he could outrun Bello Conti, who is higher in the ratings by 16 pounds, is extremely doubtful.
Beyond The Obvious (25/1) has won twice over two miles this season, with both victories coming on soft ground at Navan. The fields for both contests were pretty average, but the second of those wins was very impressive, leaving odds-on favourite Tayto Park some 16 lengths behind in second. He’s only ever ran once on good ground and that was in a flat race back in October, where he finished seventh as the 9/4 favourite, so the ground here at Punchestown this week might not be to his liking.