Cracking the Puzzle: David Jennings’ Tips for Day Two of Punchestown Festival

The drying ground is a big help and he didn’t half catch the eye at Cork last time. He was beaten by Answer To Kayf at Naas in February, but that turned into a sprint and he was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was nicely on top at the line at Leopardstown last time and this quicker surface is an added bonus. He’s nap material.

That stamina-sapping 3m arrived a little too early in his education, but Jack Kennedy accepted the situation before the last knowing his winning chance had gone. Back against novices and down in trip, he’s the value to take down hot favourite Mistergif, who is not certain to appreciate the longer trip. The Albert Bartlett was a strange race, and nothing got into it, but he caught my eye with how he travelled to the home turn. Punchestown might suit him better than Cheltenham, and he did pass the post first in a bumper here a few years ago before being demoted in the stewards room afterwards.

There are so many unexposed youngsters here that you couldn’t possibly take 6-4. Or could you? Wait a second. He covered more ground that anything in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, probably raced on the worst of the ground too, and still won going away.

He might just be better than these and a rare talent. Galopin Des Champs has been beaten on his last two trips to Punchestown, but don’t expect lightning to strike three times. He’s a more mature, reliable animal these days and 4-5 is a terrific price. Make no mistake about it, Watch House Cross is a well-handicapped horse off 137 and now has his ideal terms and conditions – 2m4½f on a decent surface.

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