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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Preview fairyhouse 1st Apr
Preview fairyhouse 1st Apr
Solstice Knight, left, comes to tackle Sea Master at Fairyhouse
© Photo Healy Racing
A maximum field of 30 goes to post for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and Rich Revival heads the market.
Liz Doyle has placed her lightly raced nine-year-old to great effect, and he has won twice since beating the reopposing Panther Claw at this venue in December.
He takes a massive step up in class, though, with last-start Grade Two scorer Sweeney Tunes leading a five-strong assault from Gigginstown House Stud. He is the choice of Davy Russell.
This is one of the few big prizes missing from Willie Mullins' CV and the champion trainer's duo is headed by Marasonnien with top-weight Junior and Rapidolyte De Ladalka forming the British challenge.
The action gets under way at 2.40 with the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle, in which Zaidpour should be capable of successfully conceding weight all round.
Mullins' dual Grade One winner pulled up in the World Hurdle, but is usually a reliable yardstick and has the edge in class over Noble Prince and improving handicapper Dressedtothenines
The Rathberry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle also carries Grade Two status and County Hurdle runner-up Tennis Cap is joined by stable companion Pique Sous who was a commendable sixth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The Racing Post Champion Point-To-Point Flat Race often throws up a good prospect and there is no shortage of potential this year, with the pick probably Vedettariat representing the Mullins/Rich Ricci combination, and Paul Nolan's Need To Talk who cost & pound;230,000 after winning a point at Ballinaboola last November.< Vics Canvas has run with credit behind Tennis Cap and Dressedtothenines either side of a Gowran Park victory so deserves a place on the Irish Field Handicap Hurdle shortlist, while Klepht cut little ice at the Cheltenham Festival but still tops the list for the Ladbrokes.com Novice Handicap Chase.