Punchestown Festival day three – Jason Heavey’s skilled horse racing suggestions
The Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons Henry De Bromhead’s veteran staying hurdler can score another Grade One success on the third day of the Punchestown Festival in Ireland
Bob Olinger is tipped to add the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (6.05) at Punchestown to his victory in the 2025 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (Image: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
PUNTERS can celebrate by backing BOB OLINGER (6.05, trb) to win the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle on day three of the Punchestown Festival.
Henry De Bromhead’s popular 11-year-old veteran continues to defy his years with a gallant defence of his Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham last month, running on strongly late on to finish third behind Home By The Lee.
He had reopposing Teahupoo behind him that day and while that rival is likely to start favourite today, he arrives a fresh horse and in peak form.
Earlier, VANILLIER (3.40) is hard to oppose in the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase.
Another 11-year-old enjoying a resurgence, the grey unseated in this last term, but bounced back over the same course in February, and ran well to finish third in the Cross Country at the Festival last month.
THE LOVELY MAN (4.15) is a winner in both spheres this term, with a third win in four starts in a handicap chase at Naas last month.
He looks on a handy mark to score again in the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle.
RAFFLES DOLCE VITA (4.50) is on an upward curve and looks well weighted after scoring a debut victory at Leopardstown, beating Come Walk With Me by eight lengths. The runner-up, who he faces again today in the Listed Frontline Security Handicap Chase, romped home by 10 lengths earlier this month.
KOPEK DES BORDES (5.25) can make amends for a costly mistake at the last in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham to win the Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.
At Redcar, Andrew Balding saddles KING OF BERKSHIRE (5.02, nap), who was only headed late on when making his handicap debut at Yarmouth over today’s 1m2f trip.
Jason Heavey’s Thursday tips PUNCHESTOWN 2.30 Nadia’s Boy 3.05 Alliteration 3.40 Vanillier 4.15 The Lovely Man 4.50 Raffles Dolce Vita 5.25 Kopek Des Bordes 6.05 Bob Olinger 6.35 Quiryn
YARMOUTH 2.05 Merapi 2.40 Night Shining 3.15 Euston Hall 3.50 Alice De Clare 4.25 Beach Point 4.57 Moonshine 5.30 Del Costa
REDCAR 2.13 Ephron 2.48 Hungarian 3.23 Confide in Me 3.58 Beerwah (nb) 4.30 Fierce Fortitude 5.02 King Of Berkshire (Nap)
LINGFIELD PARK 2.20 Alpe d’Huez 2.55 Walking On Clouds 3.30 Big Time Rascal 4.05 Wedgewood 4.35 Willow Wood 5.07 Super Hit 5.40 Havana Touch 6.10 Divot
KEMPTON PARK 5.12 O’Gorman 5.45 Station Bar 6.15 Ray Mon Dough 6.45 Royal Fanfare 7.15 Ash Wednesday 7.45 Space Bear 8.15 Cospicua
SOUTHWELL 5.17 Bronte Beach 5.52 Arranmore 6.25 Pure Moon 7.00 King Of Ithaca 7.30 Roberto Caro 8.00 Style King 8.30 Marra Donna
