Farcical scenario in Saturday’s Grade Two as all three runners owned by Michael O’Leary and trained by Gordon Elliott
Vintage Durkan clash in prospect at star studded ‘Premiere Weekend’ in PunchestownWillie Mullinsinterrupted the remarkable hot streak with Abracdabras in 2020. Once again he will hope to disrupt the Mullins party with Brighterdaysahead.
JJ Slevin on Fastorslow clearing the last on his way to winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in May 2023. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho A lot of factors are likely to have persuaded some owners and trainers that discretion would be the better part of valour. But neither the prospect of €36,500 in prize money nor black type seems to have exerted much influence on such decisions.
Paul Townend opting for State Man is no surprise and the sport’s most high-profile “forgotten” horse has an edge on official ratings over Lossiemouth. Such figures hardly correspond to the mare’s potential, however, as evidenced by her new status as Cheltenham favourite with some firms. The arrival of rain, with up to 25ml forecast overnight alone, sees the all-powerful Mullins team step up several gears including with five of the nine Durkan runners. They are topped by Galopin Des Champs who is level 3-3 with Fastorslow overall but who has come off worst around Punchestown.
With so much uncertainty about who the most tuned up will be, on this occasion it could be value to look outside the big guns and examine Grangeclare West’s chances of establishing himself as a big shot too.
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