Day two at Punchestown and the Gold Cup is the feature race at 5.55pm. Galopin Des Champs is very short to confirm form with his Cheltenham victim Bravemansgame and Ryanair Chase winner Envoi Allen also in the line-up.
IMAGINE catches the eye in the 4.45 at Punchestown this afternoon. He has been bumping heads with talented novices this season, finishing behind Hercule De Seuil and Hunters Yarn on two separate occasions, and they filled the first two spots in a grade 2 at Fairyhouse over Easter.
He was then an encouraging fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, not quite seeing it out up the hill. Back to a flatter track here should suit while he has the services of an excellent claimer aboard. Young Danny Gilligan has won on four of his last eight rides, including a Kilbeggan double at the weekend so is full of confidence. He is top rated in the field and should get back to winning ways at the scene of his bumper success.
5.20 PUNCHESTOWN – SALVADOR ZIGGY
Gaelic Warrior makes the market for the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle on account of his second to stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. That was his first attempt over further than two miles and despite being keen again, he seemed to stay ok, but did hang in the closing stages. He goes up another three furlongs here and he must be taken on at short odds as a doubtful stayer.
Affordable Fury was a 150/1 second in the Albert Bartlett with a couple of those around him running below par at Aintree and others running earlier on the card today.
The one that appeals is SALVADOR ZIGGY for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh. He had all bar the well prepared and well handicapped Good Time Jonny beaten off in the Pertemps Final under young Aidan Kelly. That followed up his good fourth there in October and as a previous three mile winner and a winner here at Punchestown, he offers a decent alternative to the favourite.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
