2021 Punchestown Day 4 Tips by Dave Stevos
2021 Punchestown Day 4 Tips
We had a profitable day on Day 3 but it was close to being so much better. Youngnedofthehill drifted like a barge out to 40s but he still ran a blinder to nick 5th. Kildorrery drifted to the same price but he too landed place money in 4th. Flooring Porter didn’t do Sole Pretender any favours and he just missed out on place money in 5th. Morosini was also narrowly denied 6th by a head. It has been frustrating not having any winners so far but at least a few places at big odds have kept things ticking over. We go again on Friday, check out Dave Stevos’ 2021 Punchestown Day 4 tips and preview below…
4.15 – Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A)
A field of 16 novice chasers will go to post for this tricky looking 21f handicap. Joseph O’Brien’s horses are running much better now than earlier in the season and on the nice ground, Duc D’allier could go well for him here at a price. This lightly raced 8yo son of Lauro won his maiden hurdle on good ground at Clonmel back in 2018 for Henry De Bromhead. He must have had some injury issues because he wasn’t sighted again for almost 3 years.
His comeback run and chase debut came at Fairyhouse and he hosed up by 8L (16f hvy). He ran a nice enough race on his next outing at this track in a Novice chase, coming home 4th behind Farmix (20f sft). Last time out he lost his action in a novice handicap at Fairyhouse (16f yld). However, Joseph’s horses were bang out of form then and he is better than he showed that day.
Duc D’allier is rated 131 and on his novice chase run here over 16f, that mark looks workable. He was only a length or so behind Sempo here in his novice chase (conceding 4lb). That fella went on to finish 5th in the Irish National off 139. He stayed on well in a course maiden hurdle over 16f (gd) and on pedigree there is every chance this trip will suit. With a lovely racing weight of just 10st 3lbs, Duc D’allier could go well for each way players at odds of 11/1.
2021 Punchestown Day 4 Tips: Duc D’allier e/w @ 11/1 (5 places)
4.50 – Mares’ Handicap Chase (Grade B)
Another 21f handicap chase, this time for mares only, and 13 will go to post. Ciaran Murphy’s horses are flying this week and I think Bridge Native could go well for him here. This mare is in off a career high mark of 135 but she seems to be getting better with age. The 10yo daughter of Stowaway hacked up in her last handicap start off 125 at Down Royal (16f yld). The ground was far too heavy for her next time in a Listed heat at Clonmel. She was then given a nice break after that run.
Bridge Native returned to action on the level at Dundalk a week ago. She ran a grand race behind Amhran Na Bhfiann and that run should have left her spot on for this. The good to yielding ground is exactly what she wants and with Conor Orr’s claim she is carrying just 10st 4lbs. This mare has yet to win over further than 18f but she has placed at today’s trip on a couple of occasions. I think 25s looks a more than fair price and at those odds, Bridge Native is worth chancing each way.
2021 Punchestown Day 4 Tips: Bridge Native e/w @ 25/1 NAP (4 places)
5.25 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
This race revolves around one horse – Honeysuckle. This magnificent mare is unbeaten in eleven starts under rules and she is odds on to make it a perfect twelve on Friday. Can she be beaten? Well, it is hard to see how after her commanding win at Cheltenham. She has won her last two starts by a combined distance of 16.5L, both in Grade 1 races. The only two slight concerns are the ground and the fact she has yet to run at Punchestown. However, she has taken everything in her stride so far and it would be a big shock if she failed to win.
Epatante renews rivalries with Honeysuckle after finishing 9.5L behind her at Cheltenham. She is a talented mare in her own right but it is hard to see her turning that form around. The one who represents a bit of each way value on the forecast ground is Sharjah. He was runner up behind Honeysuckle at the festival and he has over 6L to find. However, the soft ground wasn’t ideal that day and on a sounder surface he is capable of getting closer.
Sharjah beat Faugheen in the Morgiana at this track back in 2018, the only time he got his preferred ground at Punchestown. He has been lightly campaigned this season so he shouldn’t be over the top and he looked as good as ever when winning at Leopardstown on his return to action in December. Patrick Mullins gets a good tune out of this fella and at odds of 12/1 he is the each way selection.
2021 Punchestown Day 4 Tips: Sharjah e/w @ 12/1 NB
6.35 – Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Only six will take their chances in the 20f Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle. Bob Olinger and Gaillard Du Mesnil dominated the field in the Ballymore at Cheltenham and they lock horns again today. Both horses are extremely well thought of by connections and to be honest, it is hard to see anything else getting involved. Ashdale Bob won well for us last time out at Fairyhouse but this is big step up in class.
N’golo is a horse I have been watching since his fast finishing 3rd to Ballyadam back in November at Fairyhouse. He has been very disappointing since that eye-catching effort and it is hard to fancy him in this field. I wouldn’t be surprised if he outran his odds back in trip though. However, with just six runners I’ll be sitting this race out. No bet.
