Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Punchestown 2010 - Wednesday

The Guinness Gold Cup is tomorrow's highlight and it's difficult to get away from Denman - on official ratings he has some 18 pounds in hand over his two closest rivals, Joncol and J'y Vole. Those looking for reasons to oppose will be aware the drying ground won't suit and he had a hard enough race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month when finishing seven lengths behind Imperial Commander (with Cooldine who re-opposes tomorrow another 24 lengths adrift in fifth). Given the odds on offer, I'm not tempted to play.

In the Paddy Power Champion I.n.h. Flat Race Cheltenham bumper form is represented by Tavern Times (fourth), Bubbly Bruce (tenth), Up Ou That (thirteenth) and Shot From The Hip (twentieth). There were some lumpy bets for the last-named that day; he was sent off 3/1 favourite but ruined his chance early on by pulling far too hard. Megastar, fifth at Cheltenham, took the Aintree bumper a couple of weeks later, confirming Cheltenham form with Dare Me - the third there, Whispering Hills, takes his chance tomorrow. All of which, of course, pays a huge compliment to Colin Tizzard's Cue Card.

In the three mile novice hurdle (4.55) Magnanimity looks set to go off favourite; he carries a penalty for his win at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. On official ratings Arabella Boy has two pounds in hand but he tries this distance for the first time. That being the case, I'll take a small interest in Ad Idem; the good ground should suit this son of Kayf Tara.

2 comments:

GeeDee said...

Denman (11/8f) disappointed in no uncertain terms, jumping out to his left and running in snatches - he finished fourth behind Philip Hobbs' Planet Of Sound (14/1) who has always been considered a good horse by his handler but hasn't always jumped the obstacles that well - this was his first try at the trip. He had three and a half lengths in hand of War Of Attrition (20/1) who signed off his career with an excellent display. Cooldine (9/2) was two lengths further away in third, a performance that clearly pleased connections who will think they still have something to go to war with next term.
Dermot Weld's Hidden Universe (5/1) took the bumper, Bubbly Bruce and Whispering Hills representing the Cheltenham and Aintree form finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Old McDonald, at one stage Kieren Fallon's booked ride for Cheltenham, came in fourth under Nina Carberry.
There was money for selection Ad Idem (3/1f) but he never really showed, finishing sixth behind impressive winner Rigour Back Bob (6/1).

GeeDee said...

Correction - I missed Dermot Weld's Hidden Universe who finished nineteenth of the twenty four runners in the Cheltenham bumper - he went and won here... So, Cheltenham bumper form is advertised by Hidden Universe.