William Du Berlais should relish longer trip

With Identity Thief the star of the show, and a possible short-priced double on the cards for Noel Meade with Stretchingthetruth in the opening maiden hurdle and Bel Ami De Sivola in the bumper, punters are faced with the challenge of a couple of difficult handicaps in order to find some better value at Punchestown today.

The EndaBolger-trained William Du Berlais fits the bill in a 2m4f handicap hurdle (3.05). There is no shortage of dangers in a maximum field, and it could be argued the five-year-old will struggle to cope with the 5lb rise in the ratings he incurred for winning at Fairyhouse, since the margin was only a head over a rival who has since finished out of the money when favourite for a race at today's venue.

However, the extrahalf mile of today's race should be a big help to the JP McManus runner, who is the least-exposed horse in the race. The Meade-trained Jack Slade, a winner over today's trip on the same Fairyhouse card, is probably the main danger.