18:40
Punchestown
Odds correct as of 9:57am 30th Apr
We’re being treated to some excellent racing on Friday, as the Punchestown Festival continues over in Ireland and Newmarket gets ready for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas. The ITV cameras are back out and will be showing seven races from Newmarket, Ascot and Goodwood.
The race of the day is the Boodles Champion Hurdle, in which Willie Mullins is seeking to earn a fourth consecutive victory. Aidan O’Brien is sending just one runner over to Ascot and we’ve got a couple of overpriced outsiders. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Punchestown’s highlight is the Boodles Champion Hurdle and the headline performer is Champion Hurdle winner Lossiemouth. She has consistently produced a high level of form this season and none of her rivals here can get anywhere near her if she brings her A-game once again.
William Munny is interesting, as he was last seen finishing second to Kopek Des Bordes in last year’s Supreme and hasn’t run since. It would require a monster performance to get the better of Lossiemouth off the back of a 416-day absence however.
Golden Ace will probably run her race once again and Anzadam should be capable of making his presence felt. Lossiemouth is clearly the one to beat and she should be winning this.
Objector (14/1, Boylesports) really could be anything and he was a comfortable winner on debut at Wolverhampton in December. Taking a big step forward over the same course and distance next time, he absolutely destroyed the opposition by 11 lengths and could be better than a mark of 90 suggests.
Ascending (18/1, Betfred) is a strong stayer and he came out on top in the Ascot Stakes over 2m4f at Royal Ascot last summer. Also second to Breeders’ Cup winner Ethical Diamond in the Ebor at York, it would be no surprise if he is competitive in lesser Group races this term.
Aidan O’Brien sends one to Ascot
Brussels was very consistent as a two-year-old, although he only managed to win in maiden company. That being said, narrow defeats in the Middle Park, Cornwallis and at the Breeders’ Cup indicate that he’s entitled to be bang in the mix here.
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