Racing tips: Klassical Dream goes for the hattrick of wins in the Stayers Hurdle

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Day 2 of Punchestown/Perth wasn't great, with an unseat at the first for Brides Hill and Andy Dufresne Unseating after some late money arrived for him.

The Brides Hill is one of the strangest unseats/jumps I've seen from a horse who has a Class 1 under their belt, it was like she had never seen a fence in her life.

Punchestown 4:15 – Douglas Talking 7/2 (1pt PaddyPower)

I'm a big fan of Lucinda Russell; she sends over Douglas Talking to Punchestown and I think that could be a good bit of placing. This horse has been in great form and put in a career-best at Aintree a couple of weeks ago to finish second in a very good Grade 3 handicap which produced an RPR of 144, where he possibly could've won if he didn't jump the last not as fluent as the winner. The winner was prepped for that race, more than likely being his main aim for the entire season, as he went close the year before, so it's no shame in losing to him. Douglas Talking is racing off a 1lb higher mark today, which is very nice of the Irish handicapper as he would've been running off a 5lb higher mark if racing in the UK. He is a front-running horse who jumps well for the most part and he will enjoy this track.

Punchestown 5:25 – Klassical Dream  10/3 (2pt WHill)

Punchestown tends to bring out the best of Klassical Dream and I think he could show a big level of improvement from his Cheltenham run where Willie Mullins has come out and said that it was a struggle to get him ready for the Festival and that he is in a much better place now. He has won this race the past two years, so it's clearly the time of year which is right for him, but also the track. I don't think he is a supreme stayer over 3m, but this isn't a real test of stamina like Cheltenham is and I think Paul Townend might opt for a front-running performance with Klassical Dream. With no Flooring Porter in the lineup, there seems to be a lack of pace in this and we've seen Klassical Dream run from the front and do well under that style, including when winning the Grade 1 at Leopardstown in 2021.

Punchestown 6:00 – Rebel Ivy 33/1 (0.5pt ew 6 places B365)

My longshots haven't run too well recently, but I still believe they are overlooking Rebel Ivy in this and though it's always tough for Mares to win against the Geldings, I think she is more than capable of running a big race. I think she has been crying out for this kind of trip, so it's a surprise this is the first time she's running over 3m. She won a Listed Mares race earlier in the season when the like of Queens Brook was well behind, that horse did underperform, but you can't take away from what Rebel Ivy did. That was over 2m 6f and she stayed on well that day on soft ground. She has run well in handicaps as well this season when finishing 3rd and then finished 6th on her last start when she came from miles off the pace over 2m 3f, looking like a horse who would relish a step up in trip.

Perth 2:30 – Caboy 9/4 (2pt)

This race looks very weak, and though I'm siding with Caboy who isn't the strongest stayer and has questions to be answered over 3m I think he is the one they all have to beat. He is the horse in the best form in this race, and based on his recent run at Newcastle you'd have to say that this step back to 3m will suit. Patrick Wadge takes the ride and takes off a further 5lbs, and that is daylight robbery as far as claiming riders go as he is mustard and looks like a real top jockey in the making.

Perth 4:05 – Castle Rushen 3/1 (1pt PaddyPower)

Castle Rushen was a previous selection for me when running over fences at Newcastle over 3m when Brian Hughes tried sneaking him into the race late in the day after being off the bridle, he was coming strongly in the straight and looked like he could play a huge part but he fell late on in the race. Based on that run it looked like he was a real stayer, probably comparable to a sloth or a boat for how slow he is, so I believe today's trip of 3m 2f, albeit over hurdles, will play to his strengths. He used to be a decent horse and he finished second in a Listed race at this track a couple of years ago, finishing behind a progressive Nicholls horse at that time. The weight he has to carry is a concern, but he's been racing in decent handicaps and this doesn't look as tough, so I'm hoping for a big run, where hopefully his stamina will be the main factor.

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