An off the fence panel looks at this week’s Punchestown Festival, including the William Hill Champion Chase, the Punchestown Gold Cup and other feature races.
Gold Cup winner Gallopin des Champs looks to be the favorite for this year’s race, while last year’s winner Fosterslow will be looking to prove he can hold on to the title.
However, the lone British runner, Corach Rambler, arrives to bid for redemption after being disappointed in the Grand National where he fell earlier. Barry Geraghty thinks Lucinda Russell’s 10-year-old can’t be discounted but Tony Keenan isn’t so sure.
Keenan said: “Punchestown has never been a Gallopine des Champs track, beaten by John Durkan last season and in this race.
“The timing of both those races was not ideal but again, the timing of this race on Wednesday was not ideal but he has danced every dance at this stage.
“I think I’d be inclined to take him. I think I’d go with Fosterslow, didn’t really play any cards in the Gold Cup but he was good with a lovely position.
“The way he shaped up at the Dublin Racing Festival suggests JJ Slevin was keen not to face the Gallopin des Champs early.
“Cheltenham was D-Day with him, he never found out but maybe back at Punchestown, he’s got an excellent record and he’s relatively fresh compared to some of these, I think he’ll be able to get that second win in this race.”
Geraghty is unsure about going up against the favourites.
He said: “I’m not entirely convinced in the Gallopin des Champs, beaten last year, but he’s a seven-year-old, I think the extra year is going to count a lot so he’s one to beat.
“Having said that Fasterslow was two-to-two against the Gallopin des Champs at Punchestown, there are a couple of angles to the race, I have full respect for Fasterslow.”
Geraghty added: “He traveled well in the Gold Cup and we didn’t see the best of him but I think it’s going to be a fantastic race but I wouldn’t go against him at Gallopin des Champs that easily.
“I think Corach Rambler represents good value, third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the back of 110 days off, he went to Aintree and then didn’t finish first in the Grand National.
“He’ll be fresh here and the Gold Cup for Aintree has been mentioned as a primary, if he improves on that Gold Cup run and with nine runners he looks like he’ll have a competitive field and get a good gallop.
“He’ll be good and I think he could be good value but I’d be slow to go against the favorite but I think the Korach Rambler every-way play could be good value.”
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