Through Irish Eyes: I’m following the smart money on Footpad
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Today’s big race at the Punchestown Festival looks epic. Right now, Nichols Canyon leads the betting for the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle.
He got a brilliant ride from Ruby Walsh at Cheltenham, and in doing so dashed the hopes of Unowhatimeanharry, who today seeks his revenge.
Nichols Canyon has a super record at Punchestown but faces extremely strong opposition.
I’d be concerned about Lil Rockerfeller who chased him home at Cheltenham and Footpad, who there’s been some clever money for this morning.
Sutton Place should be noted, his previous form was franked when Supasundae went on to win at Cheltenham. But his jumping is a little sketchy for me.
Having looked back at Footpad’s run in the Champion Hurdle this morning, I think I am going to desert Nichols Canyon and back his stablemate.
Footpad will be tackling three miles for the first time but I have a feeling this may bring out the best in him.
World can prove he’s far from ordinary
The Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase definitely won’t be a slowly run race thanks to the enthusiastic Great Field.
He is a bit of a tearaway, and usually they are the horses I find most intriguing.
However, he made a frightfully bad mistake at the second last at Thurles last time out and did something similar at Leopardstown the time before that which is just too risky for me to chance in better company today.
So, instead I am going to back Henry De Bromhead’s Ordinary World. He has rock solid form and finishing 15 lengths when third to Altior in the Arkle suggests he should be in the mix today.
Cantlow is easy to back in the Cross Country
Tradition says I must have a bet in the Cross Country race for the La Touche Cup, seeing as it’s such a unique contest at this festival.
Enda Bolger is the maestro in these races, and has won this 13 times in 20 years. He has two runners today but I am siding with the favourite Cantlow.
Have a great day and hopefully we see some mighty finishes as we did yesterday!
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
