Punchestown Festival: Wednesday’s tips
David Metcalf | Updated April 27, 2016
Steamboat Bill handicapped to strike
Steamboat Bill can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to land the 2m 4f Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle, which opens proceedings on day two of the Punchestown Festival (15:40).
The Gordon Elliott trained gelding has imrpoved with each outing in four starts over hurdles, and looked one to keep onside when opening his account over the obstacles at Down Royal when last seen in action.
After being held-up in mid division, Steamboat Bill made good headway two from home before staying on strongly to beat Stowaway Shark by 1/2 a length.
Stowaway Shark has won since and finished runner-up to the well-regarded Coney Island to be rated 121, and the pair pulled 31 lengths clear of the field.
The third home Billy Billy also went on to score next time up by 27 lengths and is now rated 124, and that suggests the assessor has taken a real chance in allotting Steamboat Bill and opening handicap mark of just 119.
Five-year-old Steamboat Bill also looks the type who should have plenty more to offer, and hails from a shrewd yard which love to plunder the big handicaps.
Moon Racer can make class tell in Champion bumper
In the Grade 1 Attheraces.com Champion I.n.h. Flat Race (18:05), Moon Racer can make his class tell to make a winning return to action.
The David Pipe trained gelding is unbeaten in three starts, with the last of those successes coming in the Champion Bumper at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.
Moon Racer stayed on strongly to beat Modus by 1 1/2 lengths in what was a very strong renewal, and had the likes of the classy Yanworth in behind.
That performance marked Moon Racer as something potentially very special, and although he has not been seen since the form sets a high standard in this line-up.
The seven-year-old has also reportedly been working very well in recent weeks, and Pipe is more than adept at getting one ready to roll after after a lengthy absence.
Selections:
15.40: Steamboat Bill (NAP)
16.20: Supasundae
16.55: A Genie In Abottle
17.30: Cue Card
18.05: Moon Racer (NB)
18.40: Irish Cavalier
19.15: Forge Meadow
Related
You’ll find more Punchestown Festival tips and race previews on Coral’s dedicated page.
