The third day of the Punchestown Festival takes place on Thursday. The Stayers Hurdle is the standout race, but there is plenty for punters to enjoy.
Three of our lucky 15 tips race at the track on Thursday. Our other selection runs at Yarmouth.
Punchestown Racing Tips (Thursday 30 April)
It’s day three of the Punchestown Festival on Thursday. We have three best bets on the card, including a horse who can win over the cross country course again.
3.40 Punchestown – Busselton (1pt win – 3/1)
Winner of the La Touche Cup last year, Busselton can retain his crown. The nine-year-old has a chequered history over Cheltenham’s cross country course. He was very good here last season though, gamely repelling Desertmore House. That was his first run over the banks course at Punchestown, but he also won a novice chase and finished second at the festival in handicap company over regulation fences. His fifth over this track earlier in the campaign was respectable on ground too soft. Back on what should be a sounder surface before the forecast rain seeps in, he has every chance of repeating. Race conditions favour him getting weight from Vanillier and his recent run over hurdles should prove an ideal warm-up.
4.50 Punchestown – Raffles Dolce Vita (1pt win – 8/1)
Come Walk With Me heads the betting after an impressive victory last time. However, Raffles Dolce Vita beat him off level weights two starts back and now gets 3lb. The selection did not just beat the favourite, but trounced him by eight lengths too. The five-year-old has been ambitiously campaigned since joining Tom Gibney’s yard from France. They evidently think highly of him, as he ran in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase on his second start. That trip of 2m4f did not suit then, or on his subsequent start, but he impressed back at 2m last time. An opening rating of 133 could well prove below what he is capable of. Making all will not be easy, but backing his potential and tactical flexibility can prove worthwhile.
6.35 Punchestown – Soul Asylum (1pt win – 11/2)
Harry Swan had the choice of Soul Asylum and Bon Bon Fizz which speaks positively to the former’s chances. The latter is a recent Gigginstown purchase after impressing on his bumper debut. The selection won well first time out too though. After finishing runner-up in his sole point-to-point, he cosily had four-and-a-half lengths in hand at this track in February. The runner-up that day has some useful form in both bumpers and hurdles races already, while the third is seemingly well-regarded by Willie Mullins. Soul Asylum had them comfortably held and saw out his race well. This is a significant step up in class, but he looks likely to be a useful sort for Gordon Elliott.
Yarmouth Racing Tips (Thursday 30 April)
Yarmouth hosts a seven-race flat card on Thursday. Our top tip from the track runs in the penultimate contest.
4.57 Yarmouth – You’ll Think Of Me (1pt win – 5/2)
Kingman filly You’ll Think Of Me looks a likely type to improve as a three-year-old. She was a talented enough juvenile, placing on three of her four runs for Donnacha O’Brien. She was then transferred to Kevin Phillpart De Foy and duly got off the mark at Kempton in December. She was 1/3 in a five-runner novice that day, but she won by nearly five lengths. The runner-up has already run well off handicap marks in the 70s, so an initial rating of 82 for the selection looks kind enough. The 500,000gns purchase can aspire to better things after this contest.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 30 April
3.40 Punchestown – Busselton (1pt win – 3/1)
4.50 Punchestown – Raffles Dolce Vita (1pt win – 8/1)
4.57 Yarmouth – You’ll Think Of Me (1pt win – 5/2)
6.35 Punchestown – Soul Asylum (1pt win – 11/2)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 30 April
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Yarmouth – first race 14:05
- Punchestown – first race 14:30
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Thursday 30 April, which include selections at Punchestown & Yarmouth.
When were Thursday’s Lucky 15 tips for Punchestown & Yarmouth published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Thursday 30 April were published at 3.35pm on Wednesday 29 April.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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