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Punchestown 2024
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Interesting chase debutants at Punchestown
Mr Fiftyone
© Photo Healy Racing
Punchestown plays host to a good quality seven-race jumps card on Wednesday afternoon, with the two beginners chases the most interesting contests on the programme.
The Book New Years Eve Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase goes to post at 2.35 and Mr Fiftyone is one of four chasing debutants in the line-up.
The Jessica Harrington-trained five-year-old competed at a high level over hurdles last season and he is sure to be well prepared for this assignment.
Noel Meade is represented by Festive Felon and Chancol and they both look to have strong claims, while Drumlee is another who can't be ruled out.
Just five have been declared for the Ballymore Christmas Fair & Family Fun November Festival Beginners Chase, with point-to-point winners Shanahan's Turn and Wounded Warrior the stand-out names.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained former performed with great credit in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, before again running well to finish fifth in the Grade One Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Wounded Warrior finished a close fourth in a Grade Two over hurdles at Leopardstown in January and after he won his maiden hurdle at Navan earlier that month his trainer Noel Meade said "he'll really be a chaser in time." Mr Diablo and Wrath Of Titans appear the two to focus on in the opening Follow Us On Facebook & Twitter Maiden Hurdle, while Ruby Walsh is an interesting jockey booking on the Tony Martin-trained Blackwater Bridge Pack The Punch ran well on his hurdling debut over the course earlier this month and he looks the one to beat in the Go Racing In Kildare 2015 Maiden Hurdle with Drumacoo Roi Des Francs and Pan Wandle his main rivals.
The Panoramic Restaurant Package Handicap Hurdle looks an open affair with Vasco Des Bieffes Zigger Zagger Vision Du Coeur Tipped Up Harry and the consistent Stop Road Lad a few for the shortlist.
The Punchestown Annual Membership 2015 Handicap Chase is another competitive heat with Baby Whizz Old Supporter Kilmurry Kid and the first time blinkered Carlanstown sure to feature prominently in the betting. Virtuoso Rouge (first time hood) disappointed on his last start at the Punchestown Festival but he can be expected to show his true colours now in the concluding Thoroughbred County Flat Race.