Punchestown Festival: Saturday’s tips
Published:
David Metcalf | April 29, 2016
Sort It Out primed for repeat bid
Sort It Out shaped well last time out and looks decent value to land back-to-back successes in the Coral Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (17.35).
The Eddie Harty gelding has won four of his 13 starts over the obstacles, and two of those have come over course and distance.
In the last of those, the seven-year-old stayed on strongly and showed a good attitude to beat Arbre De Vi in this race 12 months ago off a mark of 136.
Eye-catching effort at Fairyhouse
Sort It Out has since had just two starts, and hinted that he was coming to the boil last time out when fourth to Value At Risk in a Grade 2 contest at Fairyhouse.
The JP McManus owned son of Milan kept on nicely without being unduly knocked about to be beaten six lengths and will appreciate the return to handicap company.
Sort It Out has also since been dropped 1lb to a rating of 142, just 6lb higher than when landing last year’s renewal.
It gives him every chance at the weights, and his shrewd handler appears to have laid him out to retain his crown.
Anibale Fly another strong contender for McManus
Anibale Fly, who also carries the famous green and gold hoops of McManus, is feared most in a highly competitive affair.
The Tony Martin trained gelding looked a smart prospect when winning bumpers on his final to starts last season, and confirmed that view when showing a nice turn of pace to make a winning return to action in a maiden hurdle at Navan.
Anibale Fly was then far from disgraced when third to Belshill in a Grade 1 at Naas, and ran far better than the bare result suggests on handicap debut at Leopardstown when fourth of 12 to Solita.
The six-year-old travelled strongly in the latter, but was given far too much to do before staying on strongly under tender handling to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.
Anibale Fly backed that up with a decent staying on sixth of 15 to Clondaw Warrior over 2m at Fairyhouse when last seen in action, and the step back up to 2m 4f looks sure to suit.
Selections
14.35: Quantitativeeasing
15.10: Folsom Blue
15.50: Slowmotion
16.25: Apple’s Jade
17.00: Potters Cross
17.35: Sort It Out (NAP)
18.10: Stretchingthetruth
18.40: Chapter Seven
Related
Check out our horse racing archive, and more specifically our dedicated Punchestown section.
