Help at Punchestown!

Thanksforthehelp runs at Punchestown Today

We have one runner today at Punchestown, Thanksforthehelp who runs in opening race on the card at 2.30pm, the Adare Manor Opportunities handicap hurdle and Rian Corcoran rides.  He won this race twelve months ago off a three pound lower mark with Gaving Brouder on board and he was also third in the race back in 2022.  Our nine year old has struggled a bit since winning this race last year, having been put up eleven pounds for this victory.  He is back down to a rating of 117 but the Irish handicapper kindly gave us 119 in this though Rian's four pound claim will certainly help.  Our gelding does seem to prefer this time of year and spring ground but it is a very competitive 25 runner field.  We are quite a big price but I hope we have an each way chance.  It is a great opportunity for Rian to ride in these colours at a prestigious meeting and fingers crossed for a good run.

There are three Grade 1 races on today's Punchestown card, the first of these being the three mile novices hurdle at 4.15pm.  There are plenty of winners with good form and I might plump for the mare, Zanoosh who has won her last five races which included a good mares hurdle at Fairyhouse last time.  She has to do it against the boys today but she does look good.  The Champion bumper follows at 4.50pm for which the Cheltenham Festival bumper winner, The Mourne Rambler is favourite and will take all the beating.  The feature race of the day is the Punchestown Gold Cup at 6.05pm and we have the highly anticipated re-match between Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File.  There is only one pound between them on official ratings and there hasn't been much between them when they have met before.  Gaelic Warrior was the impressive winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time whereas Fact To File missed the Festival and arrives here fresh.  Gaelic Warrior just heads the market and would be my choice...just!

Jockey Jack Kennedy is poised to be crowned Champion Irish jumps jockey this weekend with Eoin Staples champion conditional jockey.  Jack has ridden 101 winners this season and is six ahead of Darragh O'Keefe and Paul Townend was a further twelve winners behind before Day One of the Punchestown Festival.  

There are four flat meetings today in Britain at Pontefract, Southwell, Musselburgh and Bath.

Tonight we have the second semi-final of the Champions League and Arsenal are away to Atletico Madrid which will be a tough match for the Gunners.

A woman fainted and fell on the baggage carousel at the airport.

But she's slowly coming around now!

Have a good day!