Kevin Blake
12.00 BALLYMORE GAA CHRISTMAS FAIR & FAMILY FUN DAY 3-Y-O HURDLE 2M
This has attracted four previous winners over hurdles and the pick of them looks to be the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lone Star. The son of Sea The Stars made it third time lucky over hurdles when bolting up at Thurles last time and while this softer ground is an unknown for him, he is worth taking a chance on. Of the rest, it is interesting that Ruby Walsh sticks with the Willie Mullins-trained Tarabiyn after his disappointing effort at Down Royal last time and he could be worth another chance.
Selection: LONE STAR
Next best: Tarabiyn
12.30 PUNCHESTOWN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FROM €110 HURDLE 2M 6F
Much of the focus is sure to be on the Willie Mullins-trained Clondaw Court. While he has only had four starts in his career, he is undefeated and looked set to be a high-class novice hurdler last season only for him to suffer a setback. He is very much a chaser in the making but it wouldn’t surprise to see him make a winning return to action in this contest. Of those with the benefit of race fitness, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Plinth is an obvious danger to the selection.
Selection: CLONDAW COURT
Next best: Plinth
1.00 GAIN SUPPORTING LAOIS GAA BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 4F
A serious race in prospect and while the Willie Mullins-trained Abbey Lane has plenty of useful form in the book over fences, the eye is immediately drawn to the chasing newcomers. The highest-rated hurdler amongst them is the Willie Mullins-trained Valseur Lido and he obviously warrants the utmost respect, as does the Ted Walsh-trained Champagne James. However, the selection is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Codelco, with the son of Flemensfirth having earned a rating of 131 over hurdles last season and looking to be a chaser in the making.
Selection: SIZING CODELCO
Next best: Valseur Lido
1.35 FESTIVAL 3 FOR 2 TICKET OFFER HANDICAP CHASE (0-130) 2M 6F
Competitive fare and a chance is taken on the Frank McGuinness-trained Blazing Beacon. The 12-year-old has been absent for over a year, but the handicapper has given him a real chance, dropping him to a mark that is 5lb lower than he gained his last win off in March 2013. He gained that win on his return from over 16 months off the track, so the long absence may not be a barrier to him. The main danger to him could well be the Colin Bowe-trained Kashline, as he may not have stayed the longer trip in the Cork National last time and could bounce back to form at this shorter trip.
Selection: BLAZING BEACON
Next best: Kashline
2.10 FOLLOW PUNCHESTOWN ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER NOVICE HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M
Preference is given to the Francis Flood-trained Balkinstown. The four-year-old hinted at promise in maiden hurdles and showed notable improvement when entering handicap company at Galway last time, finishing second to Ronava. This softer surface shouldn’t inconvenience him and he could well improve enough to win this. Another one to consider is the Charles O’Brien-trained Hurricane Sky now that he returns to a softer surface.
Selection: BALKINSTOWN
Next best: Hurricane Sky
2.45 RISK OF THUNDER CHASE 3M
No shortage of familiar names here and it may pay to side with the Peter Maher-trained Big Shu. The nine-year-old has his share of experience around this unique course having won the La Touche in 2013 and with conditions suiting him, he is likely to go very close on his seasonal reappearance. Of the newcomers to this discipline, the Noel Meade-trained Ipsos Du Berlais would be a danger to all if taking to it considering the useful form he has shown over both hurdles and fences in recent seasons.
Selection: BIG SHU
Next best: Ipsos Du Berlais
3.20 VISIT WWW.PUNCHESTOWN.COM FOR ALL OFFERS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F
An interesting maiden hurdle and the Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux makes the most appeal. He won a point-to-point at Tinahely in March and despite Mouse Morris not being known for having his horses wound up for their racecourse debut, he was heavily backed for that debut in a maiden hurdle at Cork last month. He just found Vote Of Confidence too good for him on that occasion, but he can be expected to improve notably from that and take all the beating in this. The Noel Meade-trained Champoleon is a solid alternative to the selection.
Selection: ALPHA DES OBEAUX
Next best: Champoleon
3.55 RACING AT PUNCHESTOWN TOMORROW (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M
The one that immediately catches the eye is the Willie Mullins-trained Master Of Verse. The son of Milan easily beat the subsequent bumper/maiden hurdle winner Drumacoo in a point-to-point at Dromahane in December before being sold to his current connections for £150,000. Market support for him on his racecourse debut will be very encouraging. An interesting alternative is the Jim Bolger-trained No Print Nor Plan, with the five-year-old having run well on his latest start at Listowel.
Selection: MASTER OF VERSE
Next best: No Print Nor Plan