Tony Keenan’s preview and the best content from Punchestown Festival

The tracks at many Irish racecourses have changed rapidly over the last week, with Leopardstown already looking good and looking set to firm up in places this morning, but dry as the racecourse hosts three Group 3 races. There are days in the forecast, but none of them are attractive to bet on.

Los Angeles took a step from maiden to G1 winner with a last-back singles start when he touched down at the Critérium de Saint-Cloud in October, and in the 3 minute 35 second Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial S, his opponent It should be difficult to win because it looks weak.

The chances of a big-money winner may increase further in Al Silah Racing’s Mutamakina Stakes at 2:25 p.m. Wanlook looked an exciting prospect last season when she won the Goffs Million on her first start, but while this race will be run under very different conditions, her return to Cork says little.

Paddy Toomey clicks his tongue – the trainer made a 10.16 point profit in the flat stakes on his first time at 8/29 – and Buttons is the clear replacement after doing well off the pace at this track. Looks like a candidate. Month.

However, her head horse was a bit high at the time and her dam Wonder of Wonders had a high temper, so that will need to be monitored. Perhaps Cheeky Wink, who attracted attention at this track last October and subsequently won at Gauran, could beat the odds. Going back to 1 mile is a positive considering the conditions of the previous run.

The Porsche Ireland Amethyst Stakes (3:00) in support of breast cancer is an open race. Last time, favorite Yosemite Valley won on gladness, but it looked like a weak match. The runner-up then suffered a close loss and will have to prove he can stay on the trip as Power Under Me prefers slower tracks.

Again, the interesting stuff is among the expensive ones. Fiscal Rules almost settled on a big gamble with Gowran this week, but a step up in travel should suit him and the trainer is adept at putting horses back quickly, but Qu Shamar is stable It looks like he will be the perfect horse at this pace. Make-up in the field.

Overall, perhaps the more interesting races take place at Killarney, including the 2:45 Lakes of Killarney Handicap Hurdle.

Encanto Bruno seems to be a worthy favorite for the championship, given his recent impressive performance. He has won five of six races since returning from more than two months off, but his only loss came on an unsuitable soft field at the 2023 Champion Bumper.

His trainers seem to be aware of this aspect of his form cycle and have often said that he prefers sound surfaces, with the ground showing in the County Hurdle and last Saturday’s big handicap hurdle at Punchestown. When the odds were stacked against him, he should have been able to run well. .

But that’s reflected in his price, but another thing I liked: five one five, was also shortened this morning. He seems to have the right conditions and his record over two miles on decent ground other than the bumper and first hurdle is 11631, with a sixth time in Galway’s strong handicap hurdles where he has too much to do. It was a record.

Although his recent starts have been in unfavorable conditions, he has often been in good form despite this, and trainer Sian Collins has targeted Killarney during his young career. Apparently, his racetrack record was 3/18 and he finished 8th, making only a small profit in the Rebel Stakes. He won this race last year, scoring 7 points.

Another interesting race at Killarney is the Tote Killarney National which takes place at 4.30pm. west cork wildway Looks a little too expensive.

Despite being 10 years old, he has made just seven chasing starts and is in no danger of going over the fences, and has a number of strong handicap chasers including Pat Taaffe in 2022, Leopardstown Chase and Leinster National last year. He is showing a good run by cutting into the target. The off mark is at least 5 pounds higher than today’s race.

He missed most of this winter but regained his form last time over the Limerick hurdles, his second run of the season, moving through the field on the second circuit and battling for the lead in the straight, but losing momentum at the end. I lost and finished in 4th place. In any case, he maintained his form as if he still needed a run in the disadvantageous heavy field.

The drier track this afternoon is good at the moment and good for giving way here and there, but should be even more favorable to him. Most of his good runs have been on sound surfaces, but this looks to be the weakest handicap chase he has fought in recent times.

Preview posted on 12/05/24 0915 BST

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