The second day of the Punchestown Festival is upon us, with the Gold Cup taking centre stage on an eight-race schedule.
Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup heroin Minella Indo misses today's feature with a bruised foot, leaving Al Boum Photo at the top of the market ahead of English raiser Clan Des Obeaux.
But 2019 winner Kemboy has a huge chance too, especially on the evidence of his Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup runs before he finished down the field at Cheltenham last month.
Paul Townend leads Rachael Blackmore by five winners in the race to be crowned champion jockey and both riders have great chances again today.
Here, SPORTbible previews the second day of the Punchestown Festival with a tip or two along the way.
15.40 Series Final Handicap Hurdle
Mt Leinster Gold brought an impressive strike rate from the point-to-point field.
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The progressive mare remains unbeaten over hurdles, with two wins under her belt - and looks to take all the beating here.
This drop in trip probably isn't optimal, but she's still a strong traveller who hurdles efficiently, and looks a solid chance with talented claimer Jordan Gainsford onboard.
Meanwhile, Takarengo might be getting his act together over hurdles and should be suited to the demands of this big field test.
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Tip: Mt Leinster Gold 13/2
Odds correct at time of publication.
16.15 Hurdle Series Final
Calthor put up a much-improved effort when getting off the mark last time out in Ballinrobe and that alone may have been down to racing on a quicker surface.
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With that said, he should enjoy the spring ground here and probably won't need masses of improvement to prevail.
Stranger Danger should also relish this step up in trip.
Tip: Calthor 7/1
Odds correct at time of publication.
16.50 Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle
This race looks like a tricky puzzle with plenty of unexposed sorts on show.
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Blue Sari is in danger of having a very promising career behind him, but he should bounce back to his original best here.
As a six-year-old with plenty of racing years still ahead, he still has time to reach the heights, despite tipping over at the final flight in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month.
Decimation is a consistent and progressive horse, too - and looks sure to run well.
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Tip: Blue Sari 9/4
Odds correct at time of publication.
17.20 Novice Hurdle
Telmesomethinggirl was mightly impressive in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - she takes a marked step up in trip here.
What's even more interesting is that she had other entries at the meeting, but connections clearly believe stamina is her strong suit.
If they're right, she looks to take plenty of beating here - especially in receipt of the sex allowance.
Vanillier also took his form to a higher level at the Cheltenham Festival and is greatly feared.
Tip: Telmesomethinggirl 6/1
Odds correct at time of publication.
17.55 Punchestown Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Festival can leave a big mark on the runners in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
Al Boum Photo was beaten here by Kemboy after winning his first Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2019.
Clan Des Obeaux missed Cheltenham and has been supplemented for this race after winning last time out at Aintree.
But all eyes will be on previous winner Kemboy who is better on a flatter track and should go well today.
Tip: Kemboy 7/2
Odds correct at time of publication.
18.30 Champion I.N.H. Flat Race
This Grade 1 bumper is for amateur riders only and Patrick Mullins has had to ask himself: Sir Gerhard or Kilcruit?
Just like he did at Cheltenham in the Champion Bumper, he's chosen Sir Gerhard over Kilcruit.
Make of that what you will, but that should tell you all you need to know.
Tip: Sir Gerhard 11/10
Odds correct at time of publication.
19.00 Handicap Steeplechase
Willie Mullins has a couple entered here, but Livelovelaugh should be overlooked - even after his impressive win at Aintree.
The one catching the eye here is Tiger Voice, sneaking in at bottom weight.
He travelled very well at Limerick - looking like a winner all the way down the hill - before fatigue played its part at the second last fence.
Rachael Blackmore rides him for Henry de Bromhead in the deadliest of jockey-trainer combos.
Tip: Tiger Voice 7/1
Odds correct at time of publication.
19.35 Mares Flat Race
Willie Mullins' Grangee ran an absolute blinder when sixth to Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
This is only a Grade 3 and she should make mincemeat of the opposition here.
She was a good winner at Leopardstown and should be hard to beat - she looks a solid bet.
Tip: Grangee 10/11
Odds correct at time of publication.
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