THE EMERALD EDGE

14:10 PUNCHESTOWN

A very warm novice chase, could even be a graded contest. Release The Beast is coming here off a career best performance when winning by 7 lengths last time and is likely to be very prominent in the betting. Martin Pipe 2nd Waterford Whispers also lines up here and needs this run to qualify for Cheltenham. Can’t see him being too much of a danger. Preference is for SPRINGT DE LA MARE, the Gavin Cromwell trained gelding is likely to be close to favouritism after winning on chase debut at Fairyhouse last month with that form being franked when the 4th won at Clonmel on Thursday.

SPRINGT DE LA MARE (WIN)

16:40 PUNCHESTOWN

This is a great novice handicap hurdle. Duffys Hodey comes here looking to land a hattrick and is likely to go off favourite. Closest in the betting could be the in-form Ross O’Sullivan trained Portnacoo who has been well backed in its last two runs but has ultimately disappointed. However, I am looking right at the bottom of the handicap in MISTY MILAN. This mare made her return after 8 months off to run a respectable race at Clonmel where she faded late. She now steps up in trip and runs off an unchanged mark of 90 which I think will see her in much better light.

MISTY MILAN (E/W)

written by Kurtis Gillespie