Sunday Ireland Racing Tips: Punchestown and Cork Preview

Keep on reading to discover Dave Stevos’ Sunday Ireland racing tips, focusing on the superb cards at Punchestown and Cork. However, first things first, to say it was a frustrating day for us on Saturday would be an understatement. Minellacelebration ran a blinder, fading late on despite jumping very well. If he returns for the Topham in the Spring on better ground he will be worth backing. Galice Macalo was in the process of running a huge race for us at 14/1 before falling at the last. She pulled hard early, just like on her debut, but if she had survived the final flight she probably would have won.

Man Of Plenty spat the dummy out after his jockey continually put him in the wrong place at the wrong time at a crucial stage of the race. Maybe his best days are behind him as a 10yo but I still think he has a race or two in him. Native River enjoyed a leisurely schooling session and those who took short odds never had a moment’s worry. As for Waiting Patiently (advised e/w @ 14/1), I think he was the one to take out of the Tingle Creek.

He took lengths out of his rivals at more than one of the fences and I think if he rode the race again, Brian Hughes would have had him closer to the first two jumping the last. Federici blew up, while Dark Flame ran a blinder but the race was voided. However, the tragic loss of Houblon Des Obeaux put a real downer on the day. He was an absolute legend who clearly loved racing and he went out on his shield at one of his favourite tracks. Thoughts are with connections, he was a brilliant horse.

Sunday Tips: 1.20 Punchestown – Handicap Hurdle

On a day when there is Grade 1, 2 and 3 action, this 19.5f handicap hurdle probably won’t live long in the memory. Bilbo Bagins looks extremely well handicapped on his chase form and he is a previous Punchestown winner. That win came off 108 and he runs off 102 today. He should be fitter after an outing at Galway in October and with Sean Flanagan booked he could be hard to beat.

At a much bigger price, World Premier could go well off a mark of just 109. This son of Montmartre shaped as though a step up in trip might suit last time at Navan (16f sft). A dual good ground winner for Ben Pauling in the UK, Slippers Madden now trains this 6yo grey. On pedigree this trip should be ideal and on his UK form he is weighted to be competitive. 33/1 looks a big price and at those odds World Premier is worth backing each way.

SUNDAY IRELAND RACING TIPS: WORLD PREMIER E/W @ 33/1 (4 PLACES)

Sunday Ireland Racing Tips: 1.35 Cork – Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

The first of a quartet of Graded races in Ireland is this 24f Novice Hurdle at Cork. Only 6 will go to post but unusually, a case can be made for all of them. Regular readers of the TXMarkets blog will remember me tipping up Shanwalla at Cheltenham 2 weeks ago. He ran a massive race off 130 (21f sft) to finish 3rd when ridden to get the trip.  

I think he proved he stayed 21f on soft ground at Cheltenham and if ridden patiently, 24f at Cork should be well within his capabilities. Alpine Cobra was well backed and won well over 22f last time but this trip might be too far for him. The Meade, Mullins and Elliott horses all merit respect, but at odds of 14/1 Shanwalla looks the value bet. 

SUNDAY IRELAND RACING TIPS: SHANWALLA E/W @ 14/1

Irish Sunday Racing Tips: 1.50 Punchestown – John Durkan Chase (Grade 1)

The main event on a super Sunday of racing in Ireland is the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown. A field of 8 will line up at the start and Min is back to try and repeat his 2018 win. His form figures of 1211 over 20f during his career suggest this is his optimum trip. Presenting Percy and Anibale Fly are not rated much lower, but they are both best at 24f or further.

Shattered Love is a brilliant mare and she looks overpriced at 11/1. She was 1.5L behind Min in this last season and she looked as good as ever when winning last time out. However, at the prices, Snow Falcon could go well for each way players. He beat Shattered Love over just short of this trip at Down Royal in November 2018. Noel Meade’s inmate also proved far too good for Shattered Love on his last run at 20f at Gowran Park.

He conceded 12lb to Shattered Love in that Grade 2 and finished over 10L in front of her. He is 5lb better off now. Snow Falcon also beat the likes of Peregrine Run, Us And Them and Yorkhill by a distance that day so it is pretty good form. 3 miles was too far last time and a line can be put through that run. On that Gowran Park effort Snow Falcon looks well overpriced and at his optimum trip, an each way bet is advised at odds of 25/1.

SUNDAY IRELAND RACING TIPS: SNOW FALCON E/W @ 25/1 NB

Sunday Racing Tips: 2.35 Cork – Hilly Way Chase (Grade 3)

Willie Mullins has won 4 of the last 5 renewals of this race and he has 2 of the 3 runners here. Us And Them ran at Navan on Saturday so we are left with a 3 horse race. Cilaos Emery is the market leader at 6/5. Ballyoisin, the sole non Willie Mullins runner, is next best in the betting at 6/4. The mercurial Great Field is the outsider at 9/2 and that could prove to be a big price.

This 8yo son of Great Pretender has loads of ability but his jumping has let him down. He was sent off at 4/7 for this last year but fell at the 2nd. That mishap clearly had an adverse effect on his confidence and the rest of his season was a write off. The small field here could play to his strengths and if he gets into a rhythm in front, he could be hard to peg back. His jumping issues cannot be ignored though and he is not one for maximum faith. At odds of 9/2 a small win bet is the order of the day.

CORK RACING TIPS SUNDAY: GREAT FIELD @ 9/2

Irish Racing Tips: 2.50 Punchestown – Handicap Chase

A field of 13 will go to post for this trappy looking 25f handicap chase. Castafiore Park is the market leader after a bloodless win at Down Royal last time. She is 9lb higher now though and while she was good last time, her overall profile suggests she is worth taking on. The one I like at a monster price is the 2017 runner up in this race, Flynsini.

He went down by a short head that day off a mark of 107 and he is 14lb lower now. Gearoid Brouder, a jockey with a point to prove over jumps, claims 7lbs too. That means that Flynsini is effectively 21lb lower than in 2017 when he was 27L clear of the 3rd. This does look a deeper race but he ran a respectable race on his seasonal return and he should strip fitter now. At odds of 25/1 Flynsini is the each way pick.

SUNDAY IRELAND RACING TIPS: FLYNSINI E/W @ 25/1 nap

Sunday Irish Racing Tips: 3.05 Cork – Mares Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Six mares will go to post for this 16.5f Grade 3 Novice Chase. Sinoria is a short price but she faces some serious competition. Elimay won a Listed heat by 7L last time while Tintangle and Augusta Gold both bring serious form to the table. Moskovite has plenty of ability too, though it remains to be seen if she is up to this level. With just 6 going to post this is a race I’ll be watching with a view to the future. No bet.

CORK RACING TIPS SUNDAY: NO BET