The highlight of day 2 of the Punchestown festival is the Gold Cup at 5.30. Unlucky Cheltenham runner-up On His Own is tackled by stable companion Boston Bob who steps back up to three miles after his Aintree victory.
Willie Mullins has never lost faith in Boston Bob but decided to go for the Ryanair rather than the Gold Cup after a poor preparation. He ran well but found the two and a half miles too sharp. I felt he would struggle to improve on that effort at Aintree but the leaders wilted in the closing stages and he surged through to grab the spoils.
It is interesting that stable jockey Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride him in preference to On His Own on Wednesday. The jury is still out on the Cheltenham Gold Cup form with so many horses involved at the finish. It is difficult to believe that On His Own came within a short head of lifting the Gold Cup if you go back to the start of the campaign where he was well beaten in an Aintree handicap. We’ll side with Ruby Walsh on this occasion and hope that his judgement proves correct.
I also like the look of Beat That for Nicky Henderson in the three-mile novice hurdle. The Albert Bartlett first and third are in opposition but that race also had form students scratching their heads. Very Wood ran out a 33-1 winner but Briar Hill fell and Kings Palace ran a lifeless race.
Henderson was on a roll at Aintree and you could have named Beat That the winner a mile from home. Barry Geraghty always looked to have plenty in hand but did not want to let him go too soon for his first time over three miles. He strode away to win well and I take him to beat the Cheltenham form on Wednesday.
There is also some good quality flat action at Ascot including the Sagaro Stakes. Our old friend Simenon is back on his favourite track having won twice here at the Royal meeting in 2012 and running Estimate to a quarter of a length in the Gold Cup last year. He’s been around the globe since then, finishing fourth in the Melbourne Cup. I’d love to see him bounce back here, although it will be tough against Tac De Boistron and Harris Tweed.
Graphic should confirm Doncaster Mile form with Fencing in the Paradise Stakes at 4.15. The winning margin was only a neck last time but the result was never in doubt and there could be more to come from this consistent performer.
Beat That 4.55 Punchestown at 2-1 Bet365
Boston Bob 5.30 Punchestown at 3-1 Bet365
Graphic 4.15 Ascot at 4-1 Bet365
