Friday is day four of the Punchestown Festival and we’ve witnessed plenty of drama and some fantastic performances. There should be plenty more to come on Friday with two more Grade 1 races including the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle. When the stakes are high it can pay to choose horses with proven form. As such, here are four horses with excellent records at the track. Check out our free tips page for content across all British and Irish racing.
Alpha Male (5-4, bet365) has a record of one win and two seconds in six starts at the track. The law of averages suggests there’s a good chance he won’t be far away. Punchestown remains the only track at which he has won under rules. That victory came in this race in 2018 and he went on to finish second in the 2019 renewal. He should improve for the run after his reappearance at Down Royal last month which should put him spot on for a fourth crack at this.
Elimay (8-11, Boylesports) is a hugely popular mare who made up for her gut-wrenching defeat in the Mares Chase at Cheltenham in 2021 by winning this year’s renewal. Crucially, at Punchestown she is yet to be out of the first two in two starts here. She looks very difficult to beat as her opposition are seemingly well below her level and a big run should be expected.
Honeysuckle (1-5, William Hill) is a specialist at every course in all fairness. This wonder mare defies all logic with her perfect 15 from 15 record. With Constitution Hill’s connections shirking the challenge, this race seems to be a foregone conclusion and it would be a huge upset if she gets beaten.
6.00 Punchestown
Kilcruit (6-1, Paddy Power) shaped as if going back up in trip would suit when finishing a distant third behind Constitution Hill and Jonbon in the Supreme last time. There is some 2m6f form in his pedigree and decent bumper horses such as him tend to stay well when they go hurdling. He won the Grade 1 bumper last season and hacked up in his maiden hurdle both at this track so the omens suggests a big run is on the cards.
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