Punchestown Festival racing tips: Best bets for day 4 on Friday, May 3
Paul Townend with State Man
Into the home straight at the Punchestown Festival on Friday as they reach the penultimate day of the meeting on May 3.
The race between Jack Kennedy and Paul Townend for the jockeys' title is drawing plenty of attention and the latter could be in for a massive evening on the likes of State Man and Ballyburn in the big Grade 1s.
They race at Punchestown on Friday from 15:40 - 19:40, with the Champion Hurdle at 18:00, and once more our resident Irish racing expert Enda McElhinney has selections for the action at the Co. Kildare venue on day four.
Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)
Punchestown Friday selections in full:
15:40 (Punchestown) The Blind Piper
16:15 (Punchestown) Dreal Deal
16:50 (Punchestown) Allegorie De Vassy
17:25 (Punchestown) Famous Clermont
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18:00 (Punchestown) State Man
18:35 (Punchestown) Ballyburn
19:05 (Punchestown) Montecam
19:40 (Punchestown) I Am Mimi
15:40 (Punchestown) The Blind Piper
De Nordener ran well here earlier in the week and could emulate La Touche Cup runner-up Three By Two in coming back out to run a massive race again, but a chance is taken instead on The Blind Piper.
He looked rusty in a point-to-point run here in February but was coming into that after more than a year off.
He's 11-years-old but doesn't have major mileage on the clock and could be set for a big run now.
16:15 (Punchestown) Dreal Deal
Top-weight Mister Policeman is respected for the Willie Mullins and Paul Townend team, while Flanking Maneuver isn't discounted eased in grade under Jack Kennedy for Noel Meade in the Gigginstown silks.
Dreal Deal put away Duffle Coat in good style at Downpatrick in a beginners' contest last month and they meet again now.
John McConnell's charge is relatively unexposed as a chaser/over the trip and could defy a mark of 132 under Simon Torrens.
16:50 (Punchestown) Allegorie De Vassy
This could be the start of a defining three-race sequence for Paul Townend in his quest to retain the jockeys' title.
Allegorie De Vassy can set him up for the Grade 1s by landing this Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase.
She was well held at Cheltenham in March, despite plenty market confidence beforehand, behind the likes of Limerick Lace and Dinoblue, but in all probability there is nothing as good as that in here.
Gavin Cromwell bids for a four-timer with Brides Hill but this will be easily her toughest test thus far.
17:25 (Punchestown) Famous Clermont
The form pick is certainly Its On The Line, a close second at Cheltenham in March and successful since at Aintree in good style.
It has been a busy campaign, however, and last year's winner has a tough task ahead here.
Ferns Lock, Billaway and Vaucelet are dangers but so, too, can be Famous Clermont for UK trainer Chris Barber.
He moved really well in last year's Foxhunters at Cheltenham before tiring late in that 3m2½f test.
He might well have won at Wincanton in February bar a mistake at the last and he's a fresh horse for what might be an optimal test.
18:00 (Punchestown) State Man
Gaelic Warrior was a shock reversal for Townend here on Thursday but it is improbable that State Man will suffer that fate in the Champion Hurdle.
He had only a length-and-a-quarter to spare on the re-opposing Irish Point at Cheltenham in March but that tends to be his style and he looked to have everything in hand.
That was on heavy ground, which would have suited Irish Point and so, in the conditions, the supremely consistent State Man should retain this crown in a crucial Townend vs. Kennedy duel.
18:35 (Punchestown) Ballyburn
He easily beat the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel at the Dublin Racing Festival and Ballyburn was amongst the most visually impressive of Cheltenham Festival scorers in his Gallagher Novices' Hurdle romp in the Cotswolds.
He's priced accordingly but is unopposable in this six-runner field.
19:05 (Punchestown) Montecam
The Mullins camp are strongly represented by Anotherway (Townend) and Billericay Dickie (Danny Mullins).
While the Fred Winter winner Lark In The Mornin could be another four-year-old to thrive amongst older rivals this week.
But Nicky Henderson might get on the board with improving Montecam after an impressive score at Hereford last time over further.
Nico de Boinville was on the scoresheet here on Thursday and can bag another Punchestown winner, this time for his boss.
19:40 (Punchestown) I Am Mimi
Not the strongest bumper we'll have seen this week.
Fishery Lane retains scope for better for Patrick and Willie Mullins and was only beaten six-lengths in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham under a patient ride.
The returning Don'tstopthemusic for Martin Brassil could go well but at double-figure odds I Am Mimi might be worth a chance for Gavin Cromwell.
He was second to a decent Gordon Elliott newcomer here in November, with the winner obliging in Listed company next time, and he's open to significant progress now.
