THE IRISH INSIDER

A weekend of summer jumping at Punchestown, and as ever, Willie Mullins arrives with a strong team of fancied runners.

14:35 PUNCHESTOWN

That said, Mullins won’t be troubling the judge in my opening selection, he doesn’t field a runner in this race. The action begins with a competitive 15-runner handicap hurdle, and I’m siding with Warm In Gorey, who carries a light weight near the foot of the handicap. He relishes quicker ground and has a like for this venue, having won this very race two years ago. A hurdles winner as recently as November, he had a prep run over fences last month, perhaps with this assignment firmly in mind.

Queenofthelodge is likely to head the market after overcoming her runner-up streak last time out. She’s clearly in fine form, but steps back up in trip, a move that didn’t suit her previously.

Rose Boum is also worth a mention. Still a maiden, she finished 25 lengths clear of the third when narrowly denied by a previous winner on her latest start. That performance hints that her breakthrough may not be far away.

WARM IN GOREY (E/W)

16:20 PUNCHESTOWN

My next selection is a little more straightforward. Stay Gold has caught the eye on his last two starts when staying on over shorter trips, and now gets the step up in distance that should suit. Proven on this course and seemingly versatile regarding ground conditions, he should be firmly in the mix.

Among the market leaders is Howdoyalikeherhome, a model of consistency who always runs his race. However, this will be his sixth outing in just 73 days, which isn’t ideal. There’s every chance the handicapper may have caught up with him, but he remains a danger.

At a bigger price, Rut Daniels makes his handicap debut. An easy winner of a maiden hurdle last year, he now steps up in trip for the first time, and his opening mark looks workable.

STAY GOLD (WIN)

written by Toby Darby