TODAYS TIPS (WEDNESDAY)

Dean Kilbryde previews the best of the action from Punchestown this Wednesday as he pinpoints his top tips. 15:35 PUNCHESTOWN

This looks to be a match between the two at the head of the market, Birdie Or Bust and King Of Kingsfield. The former kept on well for victory at Listowel when last seen in September but had to step down in class to rediscover her winning form and as such preference is for the latter who won his first two over fences before finding himself outpaced when dropped back in trip, finishing third of six in a Grade 3 at Roscommon last month. The step back up in trip looks sure to suit and as the clear top-rated in the field he should be able to successfully give weight away and return to the winners’ enclosure here today.

KING OF KINGSFIELD (WIN)

16:05 PUNCHESTOWN

Western Fold arrives here bidding for his fifth victory in a row, with wins including the Grade 3 Galway Plate in July and another comfortable success in the Grade 2 Champion Chase at Gowran Park when last seen earlier in the month. He’s clearly at the top of his game yet has also gone up 23lbs in the process and may struggle to give 8lbs to Heart Wood. A winner on reappearance last season, Henry De Bromhead’s runner got to within a neck of Croke Park off level weights in the Grade 1 Drinmore next time out and also finished a clear second behind Fact To File in the Ryanair at Cheltenham in March so has solid back form and is actually rated 3lbs higher than Western Fold yet gets the weight advantage today. The aforementioned Croke Park is already a dual Grade 1 winner who runs well fresh, however is rated 6lbs lower than Heart Wood yet has to give that rival 12lbs so may have to settle for minor honours.

HEART WOOD (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde