Paul Ferguson has three selections from Punchestown for us on Wednesday; Musical Slave at 3.40, Al Boum Photo at 6.05 and Gypsey Island at 7.45.
Day two from Punchestown is Gold Cup day and Al Boum Photo (6:05) is fancied to supplement his Cheltenham success by landing the prize for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He travelled like a dream throughout the Cheltenham Festival feature, so the shorter trip shouldn’t pose any problems and I favour him to impressive Aintree winner, stable-mate Kemboy. Any overnight rain would further enhance his prospects of completing the double.
The card gets underway with a 25-runner handicap, in which Philip Hobbs’ Musical Slave (3:40) is of interest, with the in-form Jonjo O’Neill Junior an eye-catching booking for JP McManus. After bolting up at Market Rasen during Cheltenham week, the Getaway six-year-old followed up under a penalty at Ludlow and he appeared to win with a bit in hand. He has much more on his plate here, but he looks on a sharp upward curve and should appreciate the step up in trip. He could still be ahead of the handicapper.
Elsewhere on the card, Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud look to hold sound claims, with Vision d’Honneur, Commander of Fleet and Abacadabaras all of some sort of interest in their respective races, so it could be a decent day for the powerful connections.
The day’s third and final selection, however, goes the way of the exciting Gypsy Island (7:45) in the concluding mares bumper, for Peter Fahey and Derek O’Connor. Three from three in this sphere (her second coming in a maiden hurdle), the daughter of Jeremy looked a seriously exciting prospect when sprinting away to score at Fairyhouse last month.
I don’t think she would want too much rain, given the way she quickened up last time, and despite this looking like a warm contest, she is taken to book-end the day for JP McManus.
Of the opposition, I was keen on Minella Melody ahead of Aintree where she finished second and, in contrast to the selection, she would appreciate any further rain. Yukon Lil has looked smart at times but has 11 lengths to find with Gypsy Island from last time, whilst both Fag an Bealach and Bioverdia are once-raced winners who warrant a market check, having impressed on debut. There should be plenty of future winners among the 16 runners here, so pay close attention to it with the future in mind.
Wednesday’s selections:
3:40 Punchestown Festival – Musical Slave; 5/1 Unibet
6:05 Punchestown Festival – Al Boum Photo; 6/4 Bet365
7:45 Punchestown Festival – Gypsy Island; 13/8 Betfred
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