Punchestown Tips: Tuesday Day 1 Predictions & Latest Odds
Today sees the opening day of the Punchestown Festival and we kick off with some excellent action, including three Grade One contests.
I'll be here all week on Free Bets with my best bets across the action over in Ireland, on what promises to be a fantastic end to the jumps season.
Below, I've got my Punchestown tips for day one, and don't forget to check out the best Punchestown Festival free bets to make the most of today's card.
Punchestown Tips - Tuesday Day One
I've taken a look at the key races on the opening day and with each tip you'll see odds from the best betting sites too, so you can see what prices are currently available on them.
Punchestown 3:40pm - Jet To Monte Carlo (EW)
Winner of a competitive, big field novice handicap last time, Jet To Monte Carlo can go well on what will be just his fifth start over hurdles to kick us off.
He's right at the bottom of the weights, and this is both a step up in class and a step up into open company, so it won't be easy.
But I really liked the way he won last time. This is his trip for now, but he stays it strongly, and I'm hoping they go a real pace here, to bring his stamina into play at the finish.
He's up 9lb for that win, but is still open to plenty of improvement.
- Recommendation: Jet To Monte Carlo (EW)
Punchestown 4:15pm - El Cairos
For whatever reason, Gordon Elliott's horses don't seem to run well at Cheltenham on the whole, and I am certainly happy to give El Cairos another chance coming here.
Fifth in the Supreme, that's not a bad line of form regardless, but with hope that he comes here better, I think it's a solid foundation to build on.
There was a question mark over his jumping going into Cheltenham, but I thought he was much better that day, which is a positive for me.
A few of the real big guns are missing this out, I think it's a great opportunity for El Cairos, he will be better than Cheltenham and I don't think he needs to be that much better.
- Recommendation: El Cairos
Punchestown 4:50pm - Kappa Jy Pyke (EW)
After winning his first two chase starts, Kappa Jy Pyke missed Cheltenham and would go to the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse where he finished second over 2m4f.
The winner that day, Fleur In The Park, reopposes again here, but the additional half a mile is more than enough to turn the tables for me, with Kappa Jy Pyke looking ready for the step up in trip.
I think if Kitzbuhel repeats his Cheltenham run, there's no stopping him, but in terms of best of the rest, I think Kappa Jy Pyke is the pick of the bunch, and looks a solid each way alternative.
- Recommendation: Kappa Jy Pyke (EW)
Punchestown 6:05pm - Marine Nationale (NAP)
There may only be five runners but the Champion Chase promises to be a cracker, and I'm siding with Marine Nationale to show why I believe he's the best two mile horse in training.
A set back made him miss the Cheltenham Festival, but with plenty of time to get over that, he's out to make amends here and from my Tuesday horse racing tips, I make him my NAP of the day.
The ground will suit perfectly, he's unbeaten at this track, and comes here a much fresher horse than his opponents.
I believe he runs his best races in the spring, and expect to see a much better horse than the one that finished second to Solness at Christmas, and second to Majborough at the DRF.
Majborough is a hugely talented horse, he might be the most talented runner in training. But can he put it all in on the track every time he's out there? I don't think he can, he'll get it right on occasions, but I don't trust him enough to back him.
Il Etait Temps has won the Tingle Creek by nine lengths and the Champion Chase by 10 lengths this season, the latter a particularly strong performance.
But neither of those were vintage renewals, I think he's been taking advantage of a lack of opposition, rather than being a dominating force.
You can make a case for all three of the leading contenders, but I'm firmly in the Marine Nationale camp. He was excellent in this last year, and I think he can be excellent again this year.
- Recommendation: Marine Nationale (NAP)
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