Across the eight races on day three of the Punchestown Festival, numerous handicap support the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle and the La Touche Cup over the cross country fences.
Matty Sutcliffe picks his best bets across a competitive afternoon. Having tipped up La Frimeur (16/1) to glory on Wednesday, our value tipster looks to find some big-priced winners on Thursday 30 April.
Punchestown Racing Tips (Thursday 30 April)
For the third day of the Punchestown Festival, Matty has five top tips, including an overpriced Willie Mullins runner.
2:30 Punchestown – Specialist Group Novice Hurdle (4yo+) – Nadia’s Boy 15/2 1pt
WIN Willie Mullins has won this on five of the last ten occasions including with Sean O’Keeffe, and the unbeaten Nadia’s Boy can extend his winning record despite returning from a long break.
By Getaway out of a smart King’s Theatre mare, he won his point on good ground in 2024 and made a winning debut for Willie Mullins last summer when returning from a 400 day layoff in a Kilbeggan bumper.
Despite the form not amounting to much, it was a commanding performance and he backed that up at Listowel, again on good ground, in September under Paul Townend. He made all again that day, and it was another smart effort having travelled effortlessly in front, with Townend not having to get serious at all. He pulled five lengths clear of Frankie John there who’s won since and hit the frame in an Aintree Grade 1 to be rated 138, which puts Nadia’s Boy high toward the pecking order on ratings in this field.
Given all three of his wins have come fresh on good ground, this return to action is of no concern and if remaining in a similar vein of form he can outrun his market odds.
3:40 Punchestown – Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase (5yo+) – Doran’s Law 33/1 0.5pt EW 4 places + The Bosses Oscar 100/1 0.5pt EW
A small chance is taken on Doran’s Law, who’s jockey and trainer won this with Singing Banjo in 2021 and Walsh backed that up again in 2024.
The Champs Elysees gelding is the youngest in the field despite being exposed after 25 runs and while he did pull up at Downpatrick last time out, that was in a competitive handicap on soft ground returning from a layoff on unfavourable soft ground.
He recorded a career best on good ground at Wexford last July, jumping well throughout and staying on strongly down the outside to beat the in-form Riggs.
He held his form largely well for the most part thereafter and given this best form comes on better ground in the spring, he’s a likely type to outrun his odds.
I’d also like to take a chance with The Bosses Oscar, who, despite his advancing years, has proved he can still be competitive when a 13-length fourth to Tuesday’s hunter chase winner Fountain’s House on his penultimate start with a subsequent winner in second.
While he pulled up in three starts prior to that, he was only beaten 3/4l by Desertmore House in November the time before, who won next time out and is a 10/3 shot in here. The balance of his overall recent form would have to improve to take this, but on those two recent efforts he merits consideration to bely his 100/1 odds and it’ll be interesting to see whether the yard switch can rejuvenate this former classy rules horse (second in 2021 Pertemps).
4:15 Punchestown – Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+) – The Big Clubman 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
The Big Clubman is an interesting contender on this handicap debut, having acquitted himself well in graded company in the winter.
The Affinisea gelding was ahead of the subsequently smart Koktail Bleu in his point to point and made a winning start over hurdles on good ground last October at Wexford, beating the Andrew Slattery trained favourite now rated 125 after placing in Grade 3 company last time out.
He then backed that up when a length second to Kalypso’chance in a Navan Grade 3, faring best of those to race in rear and finishing ahead of the now 138 rated Frankie John. He failed to back that up in stronger company having unsuitably set steady fractions up front throughout, but he got back on track after a layoff at Newbury when second the the Paul Nicholls trained Talk To The Man, who had some smart bumper form behind Graded sorts (including Talk The Talk).
With form figures of 212 on a sounder surface, he rates a worthy threat on this handicap debut after a layoff with first time cheek-pieces applied.
4:50 Punchestown – Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+) – Escapeandevade 14/1 1pt EW 5 places
Harry Derham was successful at this meeting last season and his consistent ten-year-old Escapeandevade can give him further glory.
The son of Westerner has form figures of 2212P2 since joining the yard, with the sole outlier coming when running flat at Sandown.
He began the season bumping into Highlands Legacy giving him 3lbs, who’s now rated 24lbs higher after finishing second in a similar contest at Aintree last time out. He then bumped into the progressive David’s Well next time out, who franked that form healthily when beating last week’s Celebration Chase runner up JPR One at Cheltenham, now rated 13lbs higher.
He got off the mark at Haydock when pulling well clear with a subsequent winner, and another two seconds came thereafter.
There might now be much wiggle room off this career high mark at the age of ten, but he’s a constant performer who’s ran to a career best on three of his last four outings and he looks a good bet for frame possibilities.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets for Punchestown Day 3
2:30 Punchestown – Specialist Group Novice Hurdle (4yo+) – Nadia’s Boy 15/2 1pt
3:40 Punchestown – Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase (5yo+) – Doran’s Law 33/1 0.5pt EW 4 places + The Bosses Oscar 100/1 0.5pt EW
4:15 Punchestown – Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+) – The Big Clubman 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
4:50 Punchestown – Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+) – Escapeandevade 14/1 1pt EW 5 places
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Thursday 30 April
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Punchestown on Thursday 30 April.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 4.02pm on Wednesday 29 April.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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