Day 3 of the Punchestown Festival is set to provide another riveting eight races for us to enjoy. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle over just shy of three miles. Four of the first five home in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham face off again and it should be a cracking race. Here are the key runners, odds, key trends and a verdict for the big event. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
9. Teahupoo
Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old has finally arrived as the dominant horse in the staying division, having won the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and he should go close once again.
4. Home By The Lee
This horse finished third behind Teahupoo at Cheltenham and he seems likely to be in the mix once again. It might be hard for Joseph O’Brien’s gelding to reverse the form however.
2. Buddy One
Paul Gilligan’s stable star ran a screamer to finish fourth at the Cheltenham Festival and he followed that up with a solid second behind Strong Leader in the Liverpool Hurdle next time. He’s probably vulnerable from a win point of view.
7. Sire Du Berlais
The veteran hurdler comes alive in the Spring and he was narrowly beaten by three-time winner Klassical Dream in last year’s renewal. Ground conditions should suit and he can run his once again.
1. Asterion Forlonge
You never really know what you’re going to get from Willie Mullins’ gelding but he returned to winning ways in good style in a Grade 3 over fences at Cork in March. Clearly very capable, his inconsistency unfortunately makes him hard to back.
Willie Mullins has won four of the last five renewals of this race and is obviously one to look out for once again.
Only two of the last 10 winners have been favourites, meaning there could be some value on offer. It’s worth noting however that the winning favourites have come in the last two renewals.
All bar two of the last 10 winners have had a rating in excess of 150 and if that stat holds sway here, five of the 11 runners can be ruled out.
Teahupoo has taken his form to a new level this season and appears to be fulfilling his potential. Gordon Elliott has campaigned him very lightly this season and he should therefore have every chance of following up his Cheltenham Festival success.
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