DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MAY 2
3.05 PUNCHESTOWN
The first of two brutally difficult handicap chases but there is a decent chance BRUCEJACK can make his presence felt if running up to the level he produced at Down Royal last time out.
Amazingly, it took Peter Fahy’s gelding 19 attempts to finally break his duck over fences but considering the data he posted in the north, it makes you wonder why he kept connections in the lurch for so long.
Not only was his overall speed figure good, his final circuit time was 2.1 second quicker than the beginners chase won by the useful Sandor Clegane and his subsequent rise in the ratings to 114 doesn’t appear to penal based on those findings.
Moreover, the nine-year-old was third in this very same race two years ago and with the blloking of crack conditional, Michael Kenneally a further sign of intent, he makes plenty of appeal at his morning odds.
BRUCEJACK – ½ point each-way@12-1 (five places)
3.35 NEWMARKET
Even withstanding the Guineas is without Publish and the ill-fated Gewan, the first classic of the season still has a wide-open feel but if the Dewhurst form is worth its salt, GSTAAD is very much the one to beat.
Although beaten on the day by Andrew Balding’s grey, the son of Starspangledbanner left the impression he might have won had things gone a little smoother through the race and hopefully that valuable experience of the track won’t be lost on him when he returns to the scene of that effort following his winter break.
Heading off into the sunset last term courtesy of a brilliant display in the Breeder’s Cup Turf, his performance can be marked up on account he was forced to race wide throughout the mile journey due to his draw (14 of 14) and having proved conclusively he stayed the trip out in the States, he has the confirmed class, stamina and track form to get Aidan O’Brien back on the map in a race he last won in 2019.
Of those at bigger odds, NEEDLE MATCH has much to recommend and William Haggas’ colt may prove to be the joker in the pack hailing from a stable in flying form.
The least experienced heading into the Greenham on his seasonal bow, the Night Of Thunder colt ended up being poorly positioned as the race developed ahead of him but it was encouraging to see how well he finished off the race late on and he left the distinct impression he was the chief one to take out of the contest.
Likely to be better suited to an all-out gallop over a stiff mile, whether he has the sufficient class to win a Group 1 over the trip is the only nagging doubt but how ever he runs, he has the potentail to keep progressing better than most as the season develops.
GSTAAD – 1-point win@3-1
NEEDLE MATCH – ½ point each-way@18-1
4.10 NEWMARKET
The six-furlong three-year-old handicap at the Craven meeting won by Sovereign Spirit, furlong-per-furlong, produced one of the fastest speed figure of the entire three days and having shaped well to finish a creditable runner-up, ADVERTISE is fancied to exact his revenge with that all-important run under his belt.
Unlike his old rival, who had the benefit of a recent outing on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, Grant Tuer’s inmate arrived at HQ without a run since last October and in the final analysis, his ring rustiness just proved his undoing.
Likely to be a good sharper in all departments on his return to the same C&D, this strong-travelling colt can provide his small stable with a notable success.
ADVERTISE – 1-point win@7-2
4.55 PUNCHESTOWN
Apolon De Charnie was the second shock winner of the Triumph Hurdle produced by Willie Mullins in recent times and it would come as little surprise if he were to prove that victory no fluke.
That said, having been a 50-1 chance at the festival, it is hard for value seekers to contemplate playing at odds 20 times shorter and the best policy is to look towards stable mate CHARME DE FAUST as an each-way alternative.
The daughter of Goliath Du Berlais has proved her worth in top-quality graded company on her last two starts and considering both performances were against older, more established mares, her stock is much higher than it was earlier in the season.
Having posted a big number over two miles at Thurles when breaking her duck back in January, today’s drop back to the minimum trip should prove no issue and her overall body of work suggests she is seriously underestimated.
CHARME DE FAUST – ½ point each-way@16-1
5.30 PUNCHESTOWN
The form of the Turners at the Cheltenham festival has stood the test in the last few weeks and LAURETS D’ESTRUVAL could be another one worth supporting to continue the general theme.
Victories for King Rasko Grey, Zeus Power, Bossman Jack, No Drame This End and Hurricane Pat plus honourable mentions for Soldier Reeves and Saint Baco have all pointed towards the Grade 1 on day two of the festival being one of the stronger renewals in recent times, so even though Willie Mullins’ inmate could only manage a mid-division finish, his effort reads a good deal better than it did on the day.
Although he didn’t flash home by any means a month ago, he kept on up the hill to only get beaten 10 lengths and with connections prepared to roll the dice in handicap company on his final start of the campaign, they must feel as though this potential chasing star with have the necessary attributes to cope with the general hustle and bustle that goes hand in hand with a race of this nature.
One who is already well versed to running in such races is THISISTHEWAY and Yvonne Yatta’s mare shouldn’t be underestimated because on account of being housed in a small stable.
The daughter of Doyen has already proven her worth on the big stage when landing a valuable prize at this meeting last season and her effort in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas was a smart one against many tough, hardy campaigners.
Given a spin over seven-furlongs on the Flat at The Curragh recently just to blow away any cobwebs, she hails from a yard who had one run well at 150-1 earlier in the week and a much better run than her morning odds awaits.
LAURETS D’ESTRUVAL – ½ point each-way@11-1 (five places)
THISISTHEWAY – ½ point each-way@22-1 (five places)