Punchestown Festival day one – Jason Heavey’s racing suggestions
The Daily Star Chief Tipster fancies a former two-mile champion chaser to show his class as the five-day Punchestown Festival gets underway
Marine Nationale is Jason Heavey’s big fancy on day one of the Punchestown Festival
MARINE NATIONALE (6.05) can steal the show on day one of the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday.
The crack two-miler has endured a frustrating season having missed the chance of retaining his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham.
But he gets the chance to gain handsome compensation in the William Hill Champion Chase.
Today is just his third start since he won this race 12 months ago and he will have to bring his A-game to defeat Il Etait Temps and Majborough.
However, the drying ground will play to the strengths of Barry Connell’s stable star and he can outgun his two big rivals in the William Hill Champion Chase.
It is one of three Grade Ones contests and the speedy EL CAIROS (4.15) can win the first – the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle.
He was fifth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but will be far better suited to the Punchestown track.
Kitzbuhel will be a warm order in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novices’ Chase but at 8-1 stablemate KAPPA JY PYKE is a value alternative.
Elsewhere JET TO MONTE CARLO (3.40) stands out for Emmett Mullins in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle while Nicky Henderson’s LAUGHNG JOHN (3.05) will take some stopping in the other handicap hurdle on the card.
There are four UK cards and at Epsom TRIBAL RHYTHM (4.58, nap) is the day’s strongest fancy.
The five-year-old was a shade unlucky on his seasonal return at Nottingham and looks nicely treated with Oisin Murphy in the plate. He won at this meeting 12 months ago.
SAXON STREET (2.40) is a value alternative to odds-on favourite New Zealand in the Betfred Blue Riband Trial.
At Yarmouth LADY MARIKO (4.28, nb) is a standout in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies Handicap.
She won easily on her Kempton return and looks up to defying a 6lb hike in the weights at a track where she has won before.
DIAMONT KATIE (2.12) hosed up at Pontefract last week and should follow up while TAKECAREOFBIZNESS (5.35) showed plenty of ability 10 days ago at Nottingham and looks a solid bet.
On the sand, RECEIPT (5.42, trb) looks well handicapped and is just the ticket at Southwell while at Lingfield ANCENT STATE (4.43) and NO CLAIMS BONUS (6.20) carry lots of appeal.
JASON HEAVEY’S TUESDAY TIPS
EPSOM
2.05 Runman
2.40 Saxon Street
3.15 Aurel
3.50 Asgard’s Captain
4.23 On Message
4.58 Tribal Rhythm (Nap)
YARMOUTH
2.12 Diamont Katie
2.47 Nevasca Cinza
3.22 Lucky Sevens
3.57 Pershalla
4.28 Lady Mariko (nb)
5.03 No Gain
5.35 Takincareofbizness
SOUTHWELL
2.20 Reenie’s Dream
2.55 Invitorio
3.30 She’s Got a Brother
4.05 Jack Andrea
4.35 Sullivan Bay
5.10 Pinjarra
5.42 Receipt (trb)
LINGFIELD
4.43 Ancient State
5.18 Annahita
5.50 Alasrae
6.20 No Claims Bonus
6.50 Knights Charge
7.20 Voix De Bocelli
7.50 Wild Thoughts
PUNCHESTOWN
2.30 Fountain House
3.05 Laughing John
3.40 Jet To Monte Carlo
4.15 El Cairos
4.50 Kappa Jy Pyke
5.25 Bacharach
6.05 Marine Nationale
6.35 Delamotte
EPSOM
2.05 Runman
2.40 Saxon Street
3.15 Aurel
3.50 Asgard’s Captain
4.23 On Message
4.58 Tribal Rhythm (Nap)
YARMOUTH
2.12 Diamont Katie
2.47 Nevasca Cinza
3.22 Lucky Sevens
3.57 Pershalla
4.28 Lady Mariko (nb)
5.03 No Gain
5.35 Takincareofbizness
SOUTHWELL
2.20 Reenie’s Dream
2.55 Invitorio
3.30 She’s Got a Brother
4.05 Jack Andrea
4.35 Sullivan Bay
5.10 Pinjarra
5.42 Receipt (trb)
LINGFIELD
4.43 Ancient State
5.18 Annahita
5.50 Alasrae
6.20 No Claims Bonus
6.50 Knights Charge
7.20 Voix De Bocelli
7.50 Wild Thoughts
PUNCHESTOWN
2.30 Fountain House
3.05 Laughing John
3.40 Jet To Monte Carlo
4.15 El Cairos
4.50 Kappa Jy Pyke
5.25 Bacharach
6.05 Marine Nationale
6.35 Delamotte
