Reasons to oppose joint favourites at Punchestown
Published:Much of the talk ahead of the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the upcoming Punchestown Festival is the rematch between Sizing Europe and Big Zeb, but both may end up outside of the winners’ enclosure.
Sizing Europe claimed the Champion Chase honours at the Cheltenham Festival when repelling the challenge of Big Zeb and the pair are both 2/1 in the horse racing odds to land victory in Punchestown’s two-mile equivalent.
However, there are reasons that both can be opposed and better value may be found at bigger prices.
Sizing Europe has failed to win on his last three starts at Punchestown, which includes a pair of defeats in two-mile contests.
Meanwhile, after winning four races on the spin, Big Zeb has found one too good on his last two starts and there is the argument that his best days are now behind him.
Therefore, it may be worth opting for Golden Silver or Tataniano to win the Boylesports.com Champion Chase, but which one will largely depend on the ground.
All of Tataniano’s career victories have come on good ground, while he has always struggled on a surface rated softer.
If the rain stays away and good ground is experienced at Punchestown, he looks solid each-way value at 6/1.
Golden Silver is also 6/1 and this is largely because he finished behind Sizing Europe and Big Zeb at Cheltenham.
However, Golden Silver has won on his last two starts at Punchestown, including when beating the aforementioned pair at the course in January.
The good ground at Cheltenham did not appear to suit Willie Mullins’ horse at Cheltenham and he would be much more of a threat if conditions were rated as soft or even heavy.
A £30 stake on Golden Silver winning the Boylesports.com Champion Chase would return £180. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
