Running a bit late this evening, so here goes...
Earlier today Solwhit and Punjabi fought out a thrilling finish to the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown with Solwhit (2/1 jf) pipping Punjabi (7/2) a short-head on the line. Although I didn't collect on this occasion, the selection and the winner both ran fantastic races. Some you win a short-head and some you lose a short-head - I know it's small consolation, but it's better to win when the price is 22/1 rather than collect when the price is just 7/2. Thirty five minutes later Mikael D'haquenet (8/11f) gave the blog a winner with its 500th post, our fourth at this meeting. I have to say this is the first time I've blogged the Punchestown Festival - I've thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm more determined (than usual) to attend in person next year, but don't tell Mrs Tips...
One final selection at Punchestown - in the feature race, the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at 2.55, there's nothing original in selecting Willie Mullins' Mourad but he's the top-rated horse and the one to beat.
On the Flat, Newmarket becomes the focus of the racing world with the first Classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas, due off at 3.10. I'm sure it's painfully obvious, but I'll make the point nonetheless. If I know relatively little about jump racing, I know even less about the Flat. As those who have studied my Twitter Guide to the 2000 Guineas will know ( I use the term 'studied' advisedly), I'm concerned about the form of the Aidan O'Brien stable which has been sluggish out of the stalls this year. Of their two runners, my marginal preference is for Mastercraftsman but stable jock Johnny Murtagh has opted to ride Rip Van Winkle. At the head of the market, Brian Meehan's Delegator makes most appeal but the quick conditions could be against him. I've been on the lookout for an each-way selection at a price and the two I like are Gan Amhras (who is possibly drawn a little wide) and Lord Shanakill. I've missed the best prices about Jim Bolger's charge - now only a 12/1 shot with William Hill; Lord Shanakill on the other hand is 20/1 with the same layer but not guaranteed to stay the trip. The percentage call is Gan Amhras, so I'll take an each-way interest in that one.
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No winner on the final day of the Punchestown Festival as Mourad (11/10f) was comfortably turned over by the Edward O'Grady trained Jumbo Rio (5/2). Both the market leaders were held up off the early pace but Andrew McNamara made his move first as the race unwound; it proved the correct decision as he was in a better position than Ruby when leader Tharawaat took a tired fall at the last. Jumbo Rio had four lengths over the favourite at the line.
The Morning Line informed us that Gan Amhras was a best-priced 14/1 first thing; if you backed the selection, I hope you managed to get a decent each-way price as he was only 15/2 at the off. The horse ran prominently throughout and just held Rip Van Winkle for third spot - there is surely more to come from that one - without ever threatening to trouble Sea The Stars and Delegator. The front two had a decent tussle from the two furlong marker with the winner staying up the hill the better. This was a decent performance from John Oxx's charge who had a setback mid-March; he has been installed the new favourite for the Epsom Derby - Skybet go 9/2, Ladbrokes 5/2!
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