Britain is very used to being raided by the Irish at Cheltenham and Aintree. In recent years however, British trainers have been reluctant to send horses over for Punchestown. There are two British-trained runners on Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival on Wednesday that could be worth looking out for. One of the two is particularly interesting and certainly isn’t being sent over to make up the numbers. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Bread And Butter (14-1, Paddy Power) is interesting here, as he makes his debut for the Olly Murphy yard. Previously trained by Helen Markham in Ireland, he has won twice and placed nine times in 25 starts over hurdles. He was a little disappointing when well-backed on his final start for his previous yard over fences at Cork last time out. It has to be said that his hurdles form is significantly stronger than his chase form. Third off a 6lb higher mark at the Punchestown Festival last year, he could well be competitive off this mark of 119.
Bravemansgame (9-2, Paddy Power) is the best of the British in the three-mile chase division. Ownership issues meant he had to miss Aintree but that could be a blessing in disguise, as it gave him extra time to get over his hard race in the Gold Cup. He ran a blinder at Cheltenham last month but got outstayed up the hill. The drop down to three miles and the flatter track should be in his favour and he could well get much closer to Galopin Des Champs this time around. Whatever the result, if both horses are at their best, it’ll undoubtedly be the race of the week.
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