Punchestown Thursday

scojones

I'll be very luck if I can keep up the good form with Wednesday's selections both at Punchestown and elsewhere.

2.40 This is a tough race. Native Jack was my first winner at Cheltenham when beating Spot The Difference by 2 lenghts. But Native Jack is nearly 2 stone heavier than it was then, and that is a huge hike in the weights. This trip is also 3f longer than it's Cheltenham win. Bolger has two horses out of the three top weights, one which is already mentioned and the other is Good Step, who finished sixth in that Cheltenham race when being ridden by Paul Carberry. Nina takes over on Thursday. As the racing post says, Bolger has dominated this event in the past and you can be sure he's planning on doing the same on Thursday. It would be no surprise if these three horses were the top three finishers. My heart says follow Native Jack but my head says Spot The Difference will be able to take advantage of it's mark. For a laugh I might go with a tricast of 1st Spot The Difference, 2nd Native Jack, and 3rd Good Step.

3.15 This is a cracking race. I think it's between Mister Hight, Artist's Muse and Quatre Heures. Mister Hight failed to impress at Cheltenham and I got burnt badly as a result. You have to take into account that Mullins is dominating the festival this year. Artist's Muse did well over the pond and did well last time out in Fairyhouse when winning by a convincing 2 lenghts. Ruby was on board then, but he's chosen to ride Mister Hight in this event, another positive for Mullins selection. I'm going to give Mister Hight another chance to give me back the money it owes me.

3.50 How difficult is this to call? I'm no longer convinced of Accordion Etoile's jumping ability. It's jumping let it down at Cheltenham when it fell, and it badly hampered it when going well at Aintree. So this leaves me with In Compliance and Justified. Justified beat In Complicance by 3 lenghts very comfortably last time out on similar ground when both were carrying the same weight. Both of them are up 3lbs today, so I expect a repeat performance from Justified who should justifiably be a short priced favourite NB

4.25 Asian Maze can romp home tomorrow. It was a huge mistake to have it running in the Champion Hurdle in Cheltenham. It's win at Aintree really was spectacular to say the least. Ground is not an issue with it winning on both good and soft ground, it has won off of this mark in Aintree last April and can do it again. Sky's the Limit should not be far behind and will more than likely grab second place, but I can't see it making up for the 24lenghts it was beaten by Asian Maze at Aintree. Strangely Brown might be worth a little each way bet. I may also go with an Asian Maze 1st, Sky's the Limit 2nd, and Strangely Brown 3rd tricast. NAP

5.00 Garvivonnian is back racing after a really bad mistake when traveling well over the pond, which looked very sore. I'm going to be a spectator in this race but I'll put a very small e/w bet on Garvivonnian to have some interest in the race. I wouldn't be surprised to see A New Story take this race.

Limerickboyo

Do you think Travino has any chance in the 4.25? He fell in cheltenham but I think he is a very good horse!

ChuckProphet

Mine for the day are:

Mister Hight

Accordion Etoile

Travino e/w

ChuckProphet

Limerickboyo wrote:

Do you think Travino has any chance in the 4.25? He fell in cheltenham but I think he is a very good horse!

I reckon he's worth an e/w just in case Asian Maze doesn't fire.

masterK

ChuckProphet wrote:

I reckon he's worth an e/w just in case Asian Maze doesn't fire.

I wouldn't waste any money betting against Asian Maze, she's a good thing.

Limerickboyo

How is it that travino is entered in todays race & tommorows 4.25. Sureley he is not racing in both!

finnpark

Lay

Lay Native Jack

Do NOT back Mr Height - dodgy horse.

scojones

finnpark wrote:

Do NOT back Mr Height - dodgy horse.

Could you explain?

finnpark

sjones wrote:

Could you explain?

The last time it won it was less than convincing , almost fell twice and I knew after that it would be a flop at Cheltenham. The only thing it has really going for it today is that its trainer is in great form but I would not back it at the current price, I won't lay it either.

If you were to force me for a selection , there seems to be early morning money for Jagoes Mills , still available at a massive 50/1 with sporting odds. May be worth an ew interest bet, certainly cant see it go off at 50/1 so a trading opportunity at very least.

scojones

finnpark wrote:

The last time it won it was less than convincing , almost fell twice and I knew after that it would be a flop at Cheltenham. The only thing it has really going for it today is that its trainer is in great form but I would not back it at the current price, I won't lay it either.

Well that's fair enough. I watched that race ( I presume you're on about when it beat Breathing Fire by 4 1/2 lenghts? ) last night and I can't remember it nearly falling. It did make one mistake about three or four out if I remember correctly, but I thought it won it convincingly. It's worth noting that Ruby was not on board then. Just a difference of opinion. Alot of horses flopped at Cheltenham and it does not mean they are dodgy horses. I've no problem with you opposing anything, just as long as you say why.

finnpark

sjones wrote:

it beat Breathing Fire by 4 1/2 lenghts?

Jessica has her stable in good form too again, a reversal wouldn't surprise me. I would like to see her win it too although the odds here are way too skimpy.:(

iloveireland

my double today is for JUSTIFIED AND ASIAN MAZE. asian maze will romp home no questions asked.

Hobart

Just a couple before I head off to Naas.

2.05 Extended Favour NAP
2.40 Good Step with an e/w on Arctic Copper
3.15 Quatre Heures The ground won't suit Mister Height
3.50 In Compliance
4.25 Asian Maze
5.00 New Alco with an e/w on Harbour Pilot
5.35 Kilty Storm e/w
Bumper War General


Enjoy folks!!

fr wishy washy

finnpark wrote:

If you were to force me for a selection , there seems to be early morning money for Jagoes Mills , still available at a massive 50/1 with sporting odds. May be worth an ew interest bet, certainly cant see it go off at 50/1 so a trading opportunity at very least.

This one could be interesting e/w if going on the ground.Impressive winner of his only Race (Bumper) at Nass and most of the others have had hardish Seasons so far.

fade2black

Two Lucky 15s to have an interest.

Justified
Kalou
Questive
Extended Favour

Joe's Edge
Irish Invader
Spotthedifference
Breathing Fire

RedPeppers

Hobart wrote:

Just a couple before I head off to Naas.

2.05 Extended Favour NAP
2.40 Good Step with an e/w on Arctic Copper
3.15 Quatre Heures The ground won't suit Mister Height
3.50 In Compliance
4.25 Asian Maze
5.00 New Alco with an e/w on Harbour Pilot
5.35 Kilty Storm e/w
Bumper War General


Enjoy folks!!

Pretty much the same here Hobart.

2.40 Spot The Difference is too old in my opinion Good Step 5 years his junior could well be the one.

3.15 Breathing Fire can turn the tables with Mister Hight who looks dodgy today with the ground.

3.50 In Compliance Can see the tables turning here to with more aggressive tactics from BJ Geraghty.

4.25 Asian Maze will hack up here no doubt, Strangely Brown to place.

5.00 Monterey Bay, much better than his last race showed him to be.

finnpark

fr wishy washy wrote:

This one could be interesting e/w if going on the ground.Impressive winner of his only Race (Bumper) at Nass and most of the others have had hardish Seasons so far.

Think Breathing Fire may take it, I smell a plot here;) . Only back other ew for craic if your having a bet in this. Odds are very poor overall.

fade2black

RedPeppers wrote:

2.40 Spot The Difference is too old in my opinion Good Step 5 years his junior could well be the one.

The older they are the further they go. Giving all that weight away, spotthedifference ran an absolute cracker at Cheltenham and on that evidence he has a great chance here. Loves the place too.

finnpark wrote:

Think Breathing Fire may take it, I smell a plot here

Watching that preview on RTE the other night, everyone in the Harrington family seemed very bullish about this one. The yard haven't exactly got a strong hand to play with this week though so Breathing Fire may well just be the best of a weak bunch.

fade2black

Poor spotthedifference was stopped on a couple of occasions. Another win for Enda and another win for Nina though.

bohsman

Hobart wrote:

Just a couple before I head off to Naas.

2.05 Extended Favour NAP
2.40 Good Step with an e/w on Arctic Copper

Enjoy folks!!

Cheers Hobart.

Limerickboyo

RedPeppers wrote:

2.40 Spot The Difference is too old in my opinion Good Step 5 years his junior could well be the one.
In Compliance[/B] Can see the tables turning here to with more aggressive

Excellent call on good step. First winner of punchestown for me...woo hoo

wolfe

I've been told to back New Alco in the 5pm race.

I see Hobart picked it so i hope his selections continue winning!!

abakan

Hobart wrote:

Just a couple before I head off to Naas.

2.05 Extended Favour NAP
2.40 Good Step with an e/w on Arctic Copper
3.15 Quatre Heures The ground won't suit Mister Height
3.50 In Compliance
4.25 Asian Maze
5.00 New Alco with an e/w on Harbour Pilot
5.35 Kilty Storm e/w
Bumper War General


Enjoy folks!!

Quatre Heures - wins

Yor doing well

Pighead

Very well indeed. And a 1 a 2 a 1 2 3 4

Through the card, Through the card , Through the card!
Well Done Hobart.
Think Declan O Donaghue from The Sun has picked the first 3 winners too. He's napped Irish Invader in the last.

bohsman

2.40 Good Step
3.15 Quatre Heures
3.50 In Compliance
4.25 Asian Maze

2euro lucky 15 looking good.

Pighead

After Eventing makes Pighead vomit.
Anyway thats neither here nor there. Just posting to wish bohsman the best of luck with his Lucky 15.

jacko

I got a tip from a friend connected with Ambobo. currently 10/3 for a place or 15/2 W/O Asian Maze with PP.worth a few quid. Ground suits and Brassil fancies her chances.

If Asian Maze is on form then shes not going to be beaten.

timmy79

kerryhead windfarm has done me proud
much better value than asian maize.
got him at 100/1

Spupotter

even better kerryhead was 33/1 place only with PP

Nalced_irl

Spupotter wrote:

even better kerryhead was 33/1 place only with PP

Not bad at all, nice bet and congratz. Was on Asian Maze and with Ballycassidys win it makes for a nice bit of cash. Justified made me die a little inside with every crooked jump he made over the fences. If they can sort that out, he could be a brilliant horse.

RedPeppers

Asian Maze what a horse, different class. Had three other winners, backed Quatres Heures at the last minute after i read the Starform! Super ride from Nina on Good Step great winner at 11/2.

Jak

Well aside from Ballycassidy (in perth!) and Asian Maze, Punchestown has done me no favours ... will need something special tomorrow to make this meeting worthwhile!

scojones

Asian Maze was my only winner of the festival today. Luckily I lumped on and it made today worthwhile. Ballycassidy also got me out of a hole today. Fair play Hobart, some nice selections there I was very disappointed when Mister Hight fell, he's getting no more of my cash, that's for sure.

GavinJCD

sjones wrote:

Asian Maze was my only winner of the festival today. Luckily I lumped on and it made today worthwhile. Ballycassidy also got me out of a hole today.

You must have had some big notes on it!

Gav

finnpark

finnpark wrote:

The last time it won it was less than convincing , almost fell twice and I knew after that it would be a flop at Cheltenham. The only thing it has really going for it today is that its trainer is in great form but I would not back it at the current price, I won't lay it either.

Comment Withdrawn!

Hope you were all on my lays the last few days too;) . Probably will have a few distasters tomorrow after saying that

Hobart

finnpark wrote:

I thought it may fall today. Such a fix of a race. Be wary of any race where a trainer has 3 horses in it with his neighbours having 2 more in it.

I actually don't think comments like that are acceptable. Would you care to expand on what you mean, and also explain your use of the word fix please.

finnpark

Hobart wrote:

I actually don't think comments like that are acceptable. Would you care to expand on what you mean, and also explain your use of the word fix please.

Yes, I meant "plot", NOT fix. I wasn't implying that anything illegal occured, its just that when a trainer throws a few horses into a race then obviously he can very much dictate the way it goes. Its quite acceptable to use these tactics but it makes it very difficult on the average punter.

In relation to the others in the race Im sure hes speaking every day to them so he would have a good idea what form they are in etc. Anyway, perhaps fix is a bad word to use and "plot" is more of an acceptable word.:)

Healio

Hobart wrote:

I actually don't think comments like that are acceptable. Would you care to expand on what you mean, and also explain your use of the word fix please.

I am by no means a jockey but if you look at mister hight jumping the last, ruby drops his hands and doesnt even ask the horse to jump the hurdle. I know enough about racing to know ruby is not into that sort of thing, but the drift pre-race and the ride that was given makes me wonder!!

Hobart

Healio wrote:

I am by no means a jockey but if you look at mister hight jumping the last, ruby drops his hands and doesnt even ask the horse to jump the hurdle. I know enough about racing to know ruby is not into that sort of thing, but the drift pre-race and the ride that was given makes me wonder!!

Healio/Finnpark, I saw the race. Don't miss the point guy's. I'm not naive enough to believe that the sport we all enjoy is a clean as a new born baby's arse.

However, we must remember that we are posting on a public website. A website which actually affords you zero anonymity. This website has owners. Owners who can be sueed for things like libel.

My point is, there are ways or wording things which will allow you to get your message across without running close to the possibility that you might be using terminology that could be deemed libelous in a court of law.

scargill

carnage for me at the town they call punch yesterday...

I backed Native Jack, Mister Hight, Justified, Travino, Monterey Bay.

lost a good few quid trying to win it back.

Most annoying thing was that the girlfriend backed Good Step (cos of Nina being a girl), Accordion Etoile (because 'Etoile' is a diamond setting - apparently!) and Kerryhead Windfarm e/w cos its a funny name !!

time to give up !!

masterK

scargill wrote:

Most annoying thing was that the girlfriend backed Good Step (cos of Nina being a girl), Accordion Etoile (because 'Etoile' is a diamond setting - apparently!) and Kerryhead Windfarm e/w cos its a funny name !!

It's always the way.