It’s already been a vibrant week of racing action in Punchestown.
And Thursday’s race card will once again deliver success and is packed with action, with the showpiece being the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at 6pm.
Before that, Willie Mullins will see three of his runners, Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps and Hercule Du Seuil, go head-to-head in the Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, which will also be a thriller.
Punchestown always provides a mouth-watering spectacle of racing, and Betfair Ambassador Rachael Blackmore gives the inside scoop on her five rides on Thursday.
Punchestown Thursday
3.40 – Catena Zapata
Catena Zapata was a bit disappointing on the last day in Fairyhouse. That was his first run with a handicap and we hope he can do better now. We hope the nicer terrain can improve it.
He has some nice runs to his name, his run at Punchestown in January was a good run and he is a double winner on the flat. I hope he can join the shake-up.
4.15 – Gua Du Groot
Gua Du Large won nicely in Tramore a week and a half ago and he came out of the race in good form. It was only his fifth run over fences, so we hope he can improve again.
He has a lower rating over fences than hurdles, and he goes into the race in good form, so we’re hoping for a big run from him.
6:00 – Lantry lady
Lantry Lady ran very well last time out to finish fourth behind Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. That was only her third time clearing obstacles, so here’s hoping there’s more to come from her.
The step up in the journey should suit her, and any rain that falls will be a great help to her. This is of course going to be tough, Teahupoo sets the bar high, but she is a sweet mare and we hope she can run well.
6.35 – Easy to get going
Coming Up Easy won his first obstacle excellently on the last day in Limerick. He jumped well and he traveled well.
This is clearly a step up in rank, it’s a competitive handicap, but he goes into the race in good form and he’s got a nice light weight on his back. We hope he can take another step forward.
7.05 – Theater Native
Theater Native is quite difficult to understand. She loved Fairyhouse when she won her first obstacle. She did well to win, given her enthusiasm.
We put a hood on her at Easter for the Grade 1 Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, and she never actually picked up the bridle. So the hood is off now. We’re traveling again and in nicer terrain, so hopefully that all helps. We think she is a filly with a lot of capabilities and that she can do well here if she can put everything in order.