Punchestown | Tuesday’s Mark The Card

The Punchestown Festival gets underway this afternoon, with eight races on offer for jumps fans to sink their teeth into.

The team have marked up the card on offer at the Irish track, picking out their best selections for each race.

3:40 – Howden Insurance Brokers Mares’ Novice Hurdle (Listed Race)

An interesting race to kick off the Punchestown Festival.

PARTY CENTRAL looks to be of interest, with the Gordon Elliott recruit showing promise over the smaller obstacles.

The mare is 3-5 over hurdle and the return to better ground here can put a line through her latest outing at Cheltenham.

INSTIT could prove to be the best of Willie Mullins’ entries in this contest, with the four-year-old making only her third start under rules.

The filly is fairly unexposed and she could well have more in the locker after producing two fairly respectable performances to date.

LUNAR DISPLAY could push for a place at a big price, if she can get the better of some progressive rivals.

4:15 – Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

The first Grade 1 contest of the week sees five runners declared in the two-mile novice hurdle.

SIR GERHARD is very clearly the one to beat on ratings and form and it will take something special to beat him here once again.

MIGHTY POTTER could show improvement and take home some place money for his connections.

4:50 – Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

FAROUT hampered himself when running too freely at Fairyhouse last time out, but the five-year-old could put in a better shift at a similar mark in this contest.

He is partnered back up with Paul Townend, who has a strong record at Punchestown.

STILL STANDING was a six-time winner on the flat for Jessica Harrington and the gelding looks dangerously unexposed over hurdles heading into this contest.

Bill Durkan’s recruit struck on his last start over the smaller obstacles before finishing midfield in the October Handicap at Leopardstown. He could likely prove to be a handful at his current mark.

5:25 – William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

ENERGUMENE is very much the one to beat here after landing the Champion Chase in miserable conditions last month, with the eight-year-old aiming to round off a respectable campaign with another Grade 1 success.

The only worry for Willie Mullins’ recruit is his running style, which could hinder him on this course.

ENVOI ALLEN looks a remarkable price ere and while it will take a big effort to win this contest, he could well push into second for the each-way punters.

His front-running style should suit this course and he could well make all if the race fell his way.

6:00 – Goffs Land Rover Bumper

The first of two bumpers on offer at Punchestown today, it could well be worth chancing with CALDWELL POTTER of Gordon Elliott’s yard.

The four-year-old carries some eye-catching pedigree as he holds relations to Graded winners Mighty Potter and French Dynamite, as well as having Jamie Codd in the saddle who holds a superb record in bumpers at Punchestown.

MISS AGUSTA is another interesting newcomer, with her dam being related to two hurdle winners over the minimum trip.

Margaret Mullins’ filly gets the sex allowance as well as having top amateur Derek O’Conner in the saddle. She could push for the places alongside Simon Crawford’s ARTISTE D’AINAY.

6:35 – Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

While plenty of punters will be siding with the consistent Bob Olinger, there seems to be better value dotted among the field here.

MILLERS BANK is given a tougher assignment here in comparison to his Aintree win, but his pressing style should suit him at this course and he could well be worth siding with at a better price.

FURY ROAD ran a cracker at Aintree to finish ahead of Bravesmangame and L’Homme Presse and he could well continue that good form here.

7:10 – Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase for the Ladies’ Perpetual Cup

A tough race with plenty of big prices scattered across the field at Punchestown.

DE NORDENER looks the best bet here, with his stable claiming victory in this contest 11 times in the last 25 years. He has the benefit of Derek O’Connor in the saddle and trainer Enda Bolger knows what is needed to win this race.

LOGGAN LADY holds lots of experience and shouldn’t be fazed by the undulating track, with her jockey also landing this race last year. She has some each-way value about her here.

KOYOTE could put up a big effort at a nice price for Terence Leonard as well.

7:45 – Mick The Tent INH Flat Race

A big field bumper concludes the card at Punchestown.

FIRM FOOTINGS holds some value on his first start for Gordon Elliott, with the gelding’s pedigree suggesting he will be a top-class contender in time to come. He also benefits from the booking of Jamie Codd.

HOPEFORARUN looks nicely-bred and could well put up an interesting performance on her first run under rules, while SUMMER GALE could take a liking to the better conditions on offer today and run a cracker.