Wednesday marks Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival and it could be Gordon Elliott’s day. It would appear on paper that the County Meath-based trainer has some excellent chances across the eight races. With this in mind, we’ve combined four of these into a Lucky 15. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Three Card Brag (11-4, Paddy Power) wasn’t beaten far, when finishing fifth in the Albert Bartlett over three miles at Cheltenham last time. He was only narrowly beaten over this trip by Aintree Grade 1-winner Inthepocket in a Grade 2 at Navan in December. Elliott’s charge is probably the best horse in the race on the balance of his form and he can get the job done here.
Imagine (2-1, William Hill) was well-backed for the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last time out and ran a solid enough race, finishing fifth. The conditions of this race are in his favour and he looks like the best horse at the weights. This is a great opportunity to return to winning ways and Danny Gilligan’s 7lb claim is likely to further increase his chances.
Salvador Ziggy (6-1, bet365) ran well in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last time out, under the circumstances. This horse didn’t get the smoothest of passages and he kept on well to finish second. His stamina is guaranteed for the race and he deserves a shot at this Grade 1 prize. That competitive handicap form should match up well with the novice hurdle form lines.
Andy Dufresne (15-2, William Hill) deserves another try at this sort of trip as it has been a while since he last tried it. The handicapper is beginning to relent and he has now dropped to a mark of 150. On the evidence of his third to Captain Guinness in a Grade 2 at Navan in November, he should be well up to running a big race off of this mark.
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