Punchestown tips: one key runner from the eight races on Wednesday

3.40 Punchestown
Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle, 2m4f

Jessica Harrington won two of the last four runnings of this big-field handicap hurdle and she saddles Edison Kent and the JP McManus-owned Guiri. A McManus-owned horse trained in Britain took this race in 2019 and David Pipe's Thanksforthehelp could repeat the feat.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Thanksforthehelp

Placed in trio of novice hurdles; pedigree suggests he will relish going up in trip here

4.15 Punchestown
Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final, 2m4f

Peter Fahey won this race last year with subsequent Imperial Cup scorer Suprise Package and he holds another lively chance in the same Paul Leach colours with Martin Pipe fourth Freedom To Dream. Glengouly bids to complete a hat-trick for Willie Mullins.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Choice Of Words

Low-key effort at Cheltenham up in grade but in good form previously; back up in trip

4.45 Punchestown
Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle, 2m4f

Cheveley Park's £570,000 buy Classic Getaway bids to get back on track after a no-show in the Albert Bartlett, returning to the scene of January's course-and-distance win. Aintree runner-up Fils D'Oudairies is an interesting raider for Nicky Henderson.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Fils D'Oudairies

Solid second in a competitive Aintree handicap last time; big chance on that form

5.20 Punchestown
Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), 3m

The first three home in the Albert Bartlett reoppose with The Nice Guy aiming to confirm the form over Minella Cocooner and Bardenstown Lad. Ballymore faller Journey With Me steps up in trip while Minella Crooner, Hollow Games and Ramillies have course form in the book.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: The Nice Guy

Getting better with each run and made it 4-4 latest in Albert Bartlett; strongest form

5.55 Punchestown
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1), 3m

A fascinating clash featuring last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux, two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners in Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo, Savills Chase scorer Galvin and King George star Tornado Flyer. With the classy dual Ryanair winner Allaho also in the mix alongside four-time Grade 1 winner Fakir D'Oudairies, this could be the highlight of the week. The fact that 2019 winner Kemboy is the outsider of the nine-runner field emphasises the depth to the race.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Allaho

A 2m4f specialist and dual Ryanair winner; 3m poses a question but might get away with it

6.30 Punchestown
Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1), 2m½f

Facile Vega has beaten all eight rivals at least once over the course of the season and the five-year-old can emulate his mother Quevega by following up a Cheltenham win at Punchestown. American Mike, Seabank Bistro and Sandor Clegane are among those who have come closest.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Facile Vega

Unbeaten and beat American Mike in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper; win if running to form

7.05 Punchestown
OMC Claims Handicap Chase, 2m5f

Last year's scorer Foxy Jacks takes on Galway Plate winner Royal Rendezvous, Topham third Annamix and handicap chase debutant Ciel De Neige. The trio head the weights for Willie Mullins, who also saddles Egality Mans.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Ciel De Neige

Was second in valuable hurdle race here a year ago; 3-4 over fences and more to come

7.45 Punchestown
Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares Flat Race (Grade 3), 2m½f

Dublin Racing Festival 1-2 Lily Du Berlais and Battling Bessie reoppose while Pink In The Park, the choice of Patrick Mullins from his father's four runners, will aim to reverse the form with Fairyhouse Listed scorer Dorans Weir.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Dorans Weir

Beat Pink In The Park in a Fairyhouse Listed event last time and should be tough to beat

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Read more Wednesday previews:

3.35 Ascot: last year's Gold Cup second Princess Zoe takes on promising stayers in Sagaro

4.10 Ascot: Go Bears Go bids to build on superb juvenile season in Commonwealth Cup

5.20 Punchestown: The Nice Guy puts unbeaten record on the line as Albert Bartlett 1-2-3 clash

5.55 Punchestown: unmissable insight from connections on a 'red-hot' Punchestown Gold Cup

6.30 Punchestown: Cheltenham hero Facile Vega renews rivalry with American Mike

7.05 Punchestown: 'A revelation over fences' - Ciel De Neige in frame to hand Mullins a winner

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