On Wednesday at Punchestown it was a better day for my picks with two winning. Galopin Des Champs destroyed the field in the 5.20 easily coming home by 12 lengths the 13/8 favourite beat Gentleman's Game. In the Punchestown Gold Cup Al Boum Photo was 2nd,the 6/4 favourite made a slight mistake at the last allowing Clan Des Obeaux to get away the 10/3 shot won by 1 1/2 lengths. Finally in the 6.30 Kilcruit won,the 11/8 chance kept on strongly in the final furlong to beat O'Toole by 4 3/4 lengths.
Day 3 of the Punchestown festival on Thursday sees two more group one's, at 5.25 15 begin the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle. Flooring Porter is a high-class hurdler who made further progress when winning the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham by 3 1/4 lengths 42 days ago,that was his hat-trick victory and he is the one to beat here. Beacon Edge was an excellent 4th in the same Cheltenham hurdle in mid March and with more to offer he has to be considered. The other main threat is Ronald Pump,this smart hurdler was a very creditable second to Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grade at Fairyhouse 151 days ago pushing the winner all the way. He returns to 3 miles here and should definitely be respected. The other big race on the card is at 6.35 when just 5 start the Ryanair Novice Chase. Energumene has looked very impressive when winning all 3 of his starts over fences this season and he took the step up to grade one in his stride taking the Irish Arkle by 10 lengths at Leopardstown in February and he will take all the beating here. The only other one with a chance in a thin-looking grade one is Captain Guinness who despite quickly developing into a smart chaser was beaten by Energumene at Naas back in January and was too keen early in the Arkle at Cheltenham eventually finishing 3rd but if he settles better than he did then he might challenge here.
Big race predictions: 5.25: 5: Flooring Porter 6.35: 3: Energumene.
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