Punchestown 2010 - Wednesday

The Guinness Gold Cup is tomorrow's highlight and it's difficult to get away from Denman - on official ratings he has some 18 pounds in hand over his two closest rivals, Joncol and J'y Vole. Those looking for reasons to oppose will be aware the drying ground won't suit and he had a hard enough race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month when finishing seven lengths behind Imperial Commander (with Cooldine who re-opposes tomorrow another 24 lengths adrift in fifth). Given the odds on offer, I'm not tempted to play.

In the Paddy Power Champion I.n.h. Flat Race Cheltenham bumper form is represented by Tavern Times (fourth), Bubbly Bruce (tenth), Up Ou That (thirteenth) and Shot From The Hip (twentieth). There were some lumpy bets for the last-named that day; he was sent off 3/1 favourite but ruined his chance early on by pulling far too hard. Megastar, fifth at Cheltenham, took the Aintree bumper a couple of weeks later, confirming Cheltenham form with Dare Me - the third there, Whispering Hills, takes his chance tomorrow. All of which, of course, pays a huge compliment to Colin Tizzard's Cue Card.

In the three mile novice hurdle (4.55) Magnanimity looks set to go off favourite; he carries a penalty for his win at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. On official ratings Arabella Boy has two pounds in hand but he tries this distance for the first time. That being the case, I'll take a small interest in Ad Idem; the good ground should suit this son of Kayf Tara.

Looking ahead

This is my favourite time of year - the leaves on the trees are changing colour, there's a nip in the early morning air and ever so slowly the National Hunt season is beginning to take shape. If anticipation is (more than) half the excitement of racing, then this is a time of excitement and anticipation. There was no jump racing last week but Perth holds its two-day meeting on Wedensday and Thursday (a meeting the Twiston-Davies stable regularly targets), Worcester race on Friday and then Market Rasen holds its two-day meeting over the forthcoming weekend. Of course, the big meeting on Saturday takes place at Ascot where the feature race will be the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes; a work colleague is going and has asked me for a few pointers - he really should know better. Last year I did promise myself I'd get to Ludlow's first jumps meeting (Thursday October 15th) but events have overtaken me and I don't think it's going to happen. As they say - the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Overheard comment from Mrs Tips while watching Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff during last night's Strictly Come Dancing: 'It looks as though she is trying to dance with a wardrobe.' In my time I've turned a few heads on the disco dancefloors of the country for the completely wrong reasons, but even I could see what Mrs T. meant. Before Joe had set foot on the dancefloor, he was the bookmakers favourite for this year's title; Betfred are currently offering 33/1.

Finally Guinness celebrates its 250th birthday on Thursday 24th September; I shall partake of the odd pint (or two) - it would be downright rude not to!