STAR PREVIEW: Punchestown Day One

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s nice when a project comes together and it did at Dean Court last night when there wasn’t a moments worry (for once) with the recommended HT/FT full time recommendation on Bournemouth.

The profit on the daily preview column now stands at 90.97 points since the World Cup last year !!!

All eyes on Punchestown this afternoon for the start of the 2015 Festival – run on expected good to yielding ground.

Not the easiest punting card today – three odds on favourites – an impossible looking handicap and two bumpers with a high number of debutants making them even more trappy than normal.

The money buyers will no doubt be out in force in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at 4.20 where red hot favourite Douvan probably doesn’t need even to reproduce the same level of form he showed when storming clear to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Certainly it’s hard to see how Sizing John (second favourite in today’s race and third at Cheltenham) can turn around the seven lengths he was beaten by. The others have 20lb and more to find on the formbook.

The meeting starts with a likely odds-on shot in the shape of Wish Ye Didnt – although this one is very much priced on the reputation of connections rather than anything she has shown on the racecourse. Trainer Enda Bolger has won four of the last five runnings of this and although Wish Ye Didnt looks to have the profile of a horse likely to extend the run – at odds on with no wins from seven starts I don’t want to pay to find out.

The Champion Chase at 5.30pm must have given Ruby Walsh some headaches. He’s chosen Champagne Fever over the Mullins stable companions Felix Yonger and Twinlight. I’m not sure though. Champagne Fever looked in need of a break to me when well beaten in the Melling Chase at Aintree last time out.

Don Poli is a highly unoriginal selection for day one – but he was so impressive when winning the RSA Chase at Cheltenham that he has to again carry my money today in the Champion Novice Chase. A 10 point bet to hopefully edge us closer to the 100 point profit level. A better priced pick tomorrow – promise!

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK DON POLI (6.40 Punchestown) for 10 points at SP with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: PROFIT 90.97 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321