Friday at Punchestown is typically a good betting day with two Grade 1 races and two good handicaps to get stuck into. However the markets for the Grade 1 races look fairly sewn up. Apple’s Jade was as big as 5/1 for the feature Betdaq Punchestown Champion Hurdle when declarations came out, but she is well and truly found in the market now, at best price 2/1.

She deserves that sort of billing because she looked back to some of her good, not best, form at Aintree. The return to right-handed Punchestown could be a big factor and I’d expect her to run a big race, in what has been an amazing season. At 2/1, I’m happy to watch though.

City Island is similarly well recognised in the market for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle and I’d expect him to back that the performance up.

The two handicap chases present better betting opportunities. A few British trainers have been rewarded for the opportunity this week and Henry Oliver could be another one. He sends over Louis’ Vac Pouch for the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (4:20). A novice with just four runs to his name, he comes here with a progressive profile and off a career best Grade 2 second in the Future Champions Novices’ Chase at Ayr where he was closing in on the winner Secret Investor at the line. The extra furlong and extra test of stamina Punchestown provides will be right up his street and he can go well at a price of 8/1.

All the money has been for Ask Susan in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares’ Handicap Chase at 4:55 and it’s easy to see why. She ran an eyecatching sixth behind Ivanovich Gorbatov in the Rybo Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse and has obvious scope now back up in trip on just her second start for Willie Mullins.

However Peter Fahey’s Timeforwest is a player here , especially after her defeat of the 159-rated Killultagh Vic on her previous run in a Grade 3 at Cork. That rating probably can’t be taken literally but the Willie Mullins-trained gelding did run well here in the Stayers Hurdle yesterday and Timeforwest beat him fair and square, receiving just 7lbs, so could be well treated here off 134. Whatever way you cut it, she is an improving mare, having run with real credit on each of her five runs since joining Fahey. She stays well, handles good ground, has early form with the classy Camelia De Cotte and could now prosper back against her own sex. At 7/1, she looks worth playing against the favourite.

SELECTIONS

Louis’ Vac Pouch, 8/1 general, 4:20

Timeforwest, 13/2 general, 4:55