ASSEMBLE A WINNER

This week sees "Ireland's Cheltenham", the Punchestown Festival take place. Five days of high class National Hunt action which allows the opportunity to see if those that won at Prestbury Park can frank their form or if the ones that swerved Cheltenham can prove to be the best around.

In the Growise Champion Novice Chase, the horse who has the best form going into the race is MORNING ASSEMBLY. He ran a brilliant race at Cheltenham, finishing a respectable 3rd behing O'Faolains Boy and Smad Place in the RSA Chase. As neither of those horses re-oppose in this, you would have to say that Morning Assembly has the best form going into this race, as the RSA often proves to be the strongest of the Novice Chases at Cheltenham. The ground will be in his favour, the trip should no problems and he has the master Davy Russell on board. The only worry for me is how much the RSA took out for him, as he didn't have the easiest of races that day. However, many of the opposition have had hard races recently too including Ballycasey ( 4th in RSA, fell next time out), Don Cossack ( fell in RSA, second to Holywell at Aintree) and Carlingford Lough (6th RSA). In fact, with the first two mentioned there having another tough race since the RSA, you would have to assume that they may feel the most tired in the race.

The main danger may prove to Djakadam. He fell in a different race at Cheltenham but looked a classy horse up until that race, with many nice wins to his name. He probably hasn't lost any of his ability since that fall, the worry about this horse is that he is only a 5 year old, and he make lack experience against some older types for this, although he is clearly a top racehorse. Also interesting that Ruby Walsh chooses to ride him over Ballycasey.

But if Morning Assembly replicates his RSA run and does not feel any negative effects from the race, he looks to have a massive chance.

Morning Assembly

In the Boylesports.com Champion Chase, SOMERSBY has to be of interest in a wide open race. He's ran some awesome races this year, twice coming second behind horse of the year Sire De Grugy. He's due a big prize like this, given his solid efforts of late. AP McCoy is a positive booking, he seems to have a lot going for him tomorrow. As for his opponents, Hidden Cyclone acts best when there is more give in the ground, Module was beaten by Sire De Grugy at Cheltenham, Ballynagour is hard to call (depends on which Ballynagour turns up), Sizing Europe isn't getting any younger, Baily Green has been winless for 2 years and Twinlight may not be good enough for a race of this grade.

As already mentioned, the race is wide open and the Grand Annual winner at Cheltenham SAVELLO could have a chance. Davy Russell in the saddle once again is a major plus; he could surprise at big odds.

My final selection is the concluding race, where FORGOTTEN RULES looks to have a good chance for Dermot Weld, who has been on fire lately and Robbie McNamara, who is one of the best amateur jockeys around. The horse is bred to have a little more speed than his opposition, being by flat sire Nayef out of a horse who came 4th in an Irish 1000 Guineas. In truth, he could be anything, but being trained by Weld gives him an edge for me. The main danger for me is Fine Theatre, who is a half brother to top quality chaser Joncol.

Hope everybody has a good start to Punchestown

Happy Punting!