'A return to anywhere near his best gives him a massive chance' - Harry Wilson's tips for every race at Punchestown on Tuesday

Harry Wilson with his advice for all eight races from Punchestown on Tuesday. . .

2.30 Punchestown
Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup, 3m½f

Harry's tip: Cloudy Tuesday

Cloudy Tuesday coped well with the banks course at Knockanard in February, getting the better of the useful Born By The Sea with Knockiel Synge, who won this race last year, nine and a half lengths back in fourth. He was a good third behind the smart Fountain House at Dromahane last time and is taken to defy his penalty.

Cloudy Tuesday14:30 Punchestown

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Jky: Mr T O'Connor (7lb)Tnr: Turlough O'Connor

3.05 Punchestown Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle, 2m3½f

Harry's tip: Bright Legend

Bright Legend caught my eye when coming over to Haydock for the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle in February, when he travelled strongly throughout but looked a non-stayer on his first try at the 3m½f trip, and he backed that up when second quite a strong novice for the time of year at Cork last month (third has won since). He qualified for this with a good third behind Londonofficecallin here in January on soft ground, but he’s shown arguably better form on a sounder surface, so conditions here should be ideal, while the cheekpieces that have been left off recently return, which could elicit more improvement, as he has put in a better performance every time that headgear has been refitted. He has the highest adjusted Racing Post Rating and Topspeed figure in the field and gets the services of Harry Cobden.

Bright Legend15:05 Punchestown

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Denis Gerard Hogan

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3.40 Punchestown
Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, 2m½f 

Harry's tip: Wilful

The one who takes the eye is Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Wilful, who bounced back to form with a cosy success at Ayr 18 days ago after disappointing when well supported for the Morebattle Hurdle previously. That success had been coming as he produced a fine effort to finish fourth at Ascot in January in a competitive handicap hurdle over a longer trip, just getting tired coming to last, and that form has been franked by the first two home winning on their next starts. He’s 7lb higher than when winning at Ayr last time but his Racing Post Rating of 133 recorded that day suggests he should have more to come.

Wilful15:40 Punchestown

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Jky: Jonjo O'Neill Jr Tnr: Jonjo & A J O'Neill

4.15 Punchestown
KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle, 2m½f

Harry's tip: Kopek Des Bordes

Kopek Des Bordes was one of the most impressive winners at the Dublin Racing Festival, travelling with ease before powering clear on the bridle in a time two seconds quicker than State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle later on the card, and he lived up to everything we hoped he'd be when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in a very quick time. He's a seriously smart horse and would have to be given a serious chance if lining up in next year's Champion Hurdle.

Kopek Des Bordes16:15 Punchestown

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

4.50 Punchestown
Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1), 3m1f

Harry's tip: Impaire Et Passe

Impaire Et Passe took well to first-time cheekpieces when winning with a bit to spare in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree, jumping much better than when behind Ballyburn at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. It may be the case that Impaire Et Passe just isn’t suited to Leopardstown, as that defeat was his third from as many starts at the venue, while he has a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 win over hurdles on his two visits to Punchestown. He shouldn’t have a problem staying this new trip and if the retained cheekpieces continue to have a positive impact, he could prove the value play against his two stablemates.

Impaire Et Passe16:50 Punchestown

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Jky: J J Slevin Tnr: W P Mullins

5.25 Punchestown
Goffs Defender Bumper, 2m½f

Harry's tip: Leader Des Bordes

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have dominated this race, and while the former's Santo Sospir has the advantage of experience, I'll side with the latter's Leader Des Bordes, who is a half-brother to seven winners, including the yard's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes.

Leader Des Bordes17:25 Punchestown

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Jky: Mr P W Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

6.00 Punchestown
William Hill Champion Chase, 2m½f

Harry's tip: El Fabiolo

Things haven’t gone right for El Fabiolo since he thumped subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners Dinoblue and Captain Guinness in the Dublin Chase in February last year, with mistakes accounting for most of his failures, but I'm willing to give him another chance. He has five wins from six starts on right-handed tracks, with his sole defeat coming to Jonbon at his beloved Sandown, so he should enjoy going this way round for the first time in a year, while he has won both of his starts at Punchestown, including winning the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase at this meeting without coming off the bridle two years ago on his last visit. A return to anywhere near his best gives him a huge chance, especially if having a clearer round of jumping.

El Fabiolo18:00 Punchestown

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

6.35 Punchestown
Willie Coonan Memorial INH Flat Race , 2m½f

Harry's tip: Starting Fifteen

Starting Fifteen made a promising debut in a Listed contest at Limerick last month, travelling well but showing her inexperience on the run-in, hanging in behind the useful winner who was in receipt of 7lb. A half-brother to 2020 Triumph Hurdle winner Burning Victory, he should show the benefit of that experience here.

Starting Fifteen18:35 Punchestown

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Jky: Mr Finian Maguire Tnr: E McNamara

Read more:

'He is a huge price' - Conor Fennelly with two fancies on day one of Punchestown including a 4pt bet   

Will Fact To File thrive dropping in trip or proven two-milers come to the fore in a Champion Chase cracker? 

Townend keeps faith with Ballyburn as he renews rivalry with Cheltenham conqueror Lecky Watson at Punchestown 

Confirmed runners and riders for day two of the Punchestown festival: who takes on Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup? 

Punchestown festival, Guineas meeting and Royal Ascot trials day makes it a week to savour 

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