Punchestown festival: five dark horses to follow at the meeting

Quick Grabim
4.20 Punchestown, Tuesday

We have very short memories, haven't we? Yes, a lot has happened since the second day of December, but it might be worth jogging your memory.

The Royal Bond is traditionally a decent trial for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Quick Grabim trounced his three rivals from the front, with slick and accurate jumping a feature of the decisive success.

A stress fracture suffered in that race ruled him out of a trip to the Cotswolds, but he arrives at Punchestown a fresh horse and should not be underestimated despite the presence of stablemate Klassical Dream.

Ruby Walsh is all smiles after Quick Grabim's Royal Bond winCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Carefully Selected
5.30 Punchestown, Wednesday

Willie Mullins said before Cheltenham that the owner of Carefully Selected was keen to wait for Punchestown rather than rush to get to the festival. Take the hint when the seven-year-old runs in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle on Wednesday.

Carefully Selected could be a star over three miles. He was denied only narrowly in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2018 and his 2m6f maiden hurdle success at Limerick last month was a shade more snug than the winning margin suggests.

Carefully Selected (left) jumps the last with Lord Schnitzel on his way to victory in a maiden hurdle at LimerickCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Beacon Edge
6.40 Punchestown, Wednesday

There is no Envoi Allen, Blue Sari or Malone Road in the Racing Post Champion Bumper and perhaps Beacon Edge could be the one to pick up the pieces.

An impressive winner of an Ayr bumper last October when in the care of Nicky Richards, the five-year-old then produced a highly encouraging display on his first start for Noel Meade in the Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival.

The ground he made up in the home straight that day was impressive and there should be lots more to come. This looks a wide-open renewal and he could be the one with most scope for improvement.

Snugsborough Hall
4.15 Punchestown, Thursday

Denis O'Regan must have been cursing his luck when Snugsborough Hall was carried out at the second-last by Mind's Eye in the 2m½f novice handicap chase at Fairyhouse.

Having won his last two starts, a hat-trick looked on the cards as he crept effortlessly into contention rounding the final bend. He was already trading odds-on in running when the wayward Mind's Eye took him out. My guess is he would have won and won comfortably.

It was rotten luck for all concerned, but compensation could await in the valuable 2m handicap chase on Thursday.

Snugsborough Hall: travelling well when taken out by Mind's Eye at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sams Profile
6.05 Punchestown, Friday

Sent off a single-figure price for the Ballymore at Cheltenham and, while the bare result might suggest he was a shade disappointing, finishing 15 lengths behind City Island in fifth, it does not tell the whole story.

Sams Profile travelled through the race like a very good horse and looked sure to play a big part in the finish only for him to leave his hind legs in the second-last hurdle and lose valuable momentum. The mistake came at a crucial stage of the race and cost him dearly.

It might be asking a bit much for him to reverse form with City Island, but expect him to get much, much closer. He looks great each-way value.

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