The Lucky 15 bets on MFT are normally published for weekend racing, but given we have two good days of racing ahead at Punchestown, we’ve opted to publish them throughout the festival.
Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival looks tricky, but hopefully we can find some value within Wednesday’s card.
Gaelic Warrior 6/5 – Punchestown 6.05
Some people don’t like putting short selections in a Lucky 15 bet, but I personally like to have at least one, and my shorty this time around is probably the punters' banker of the week in Gaelic Warrior.
Nothing is ever a banker in this game, but if the same Gaelic Warrior shows up that won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, then I can’t see him being beaten.
It really was a stunning performance at Cheltenham last time out, and you could probably argue he wasn’t given a hard time as he cruised to victory with the minimum of fuss.
It’s a pity the field of runners is so small, as I’d have liked to have given inothewayurthinkin a chance for a place at the odds. He stayed on well to take third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and he’d have been my selection in this race if we had three places up for grabs.
Nouvotic 15/2 – Punchestown 5:25
I think the Henry De Bromhead-trained Nouvotic is a cracking each-way play in this race.
My selection has done well since switching to the larger obstacles, winning two from four, and I don’t believe he has fully hit his ceiling yet.
His most recent win at Wexford, I thought, was a great effort, and it notably came over today’s forecast distance. He was firmly on top at the line that day, and you could argue an 8lb rise is lenient enough despite going up against tougher opposition.
Darragh O’Keefe, who takes the ride, has enjoyed a fine season, and with his mount this time around in receipt of plenty of weight, I think he can run a big race at attractive odds.
Zanoosh 4/1 – Punchestown 4:15
The forecast better ground has question marks on quite a few in this field, including my selection, Zanoosh.
Zanoosh arrives here as probably the most informed horse in the lineup. This highly progressive mare comes here in search of the six timer, but all her wins have come on soft/heavy.
I do believe she’ll handle the forecast ground, but whether she will be as effective on it or not is another question. Regardless, I’m willing to roll the dice with her. 4/1 looks a fair enough price on paper, and in receipt of some weight from her rivals, she looks a decent bet for trainer Colm Murphy and jockey Brian Hayes.
The Wager 13/2 – Punchestown 4.50
There are plenty in with a chance in this race, with claims being made for most.
I opted to concentrate on the Willie Mullins pair in Dromad and my selection in The Wager. I was initially tempted by Dromad, and the jockey selection of Patrick Mullins would suggest to you that he is the yard's best chance. 7/2 for Dromad is probably a fair enough price on paper, but it was a tad short for me to include in this Lucky 15 bet, and for that reason, I opted to give The Wager a chance.
My selection was last seen finishing seventh in this year's Cheltenham Champion Bumper. I watched the race back, and it was a cracking effort given the circumstances. The Wager was one of Willie’s less fancied runners that day (sent off at 40/1) but managed to run better than his more fancied runners, particularly Love Sign d’Aunou, who was massively disappointing. The Wager stayed on well that day when racing from an unpromising position.
I think there could be more to come from my selection this time around, and with a bit of luck in running, he can run another big race at a reasonable price.
GambleAware