The Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey fancies Noel Meade’s brilliant bumper to repeat his Cheltenham success on the second day of the Punchestown Festival in Ireland
THE MOURNE RAMBLER (4.50, nb) can reaffirm his position as the best bumper currently in training on day two of the Punchestown Festival.
Willie Mullins’ stranglehold on bumper races was ended at the Cheltenham Festival when this five-year-old, trained by Noel Meade, built on his debut win at Leopardstown by winningn the Champion bumper at Prestbury Park.
On that occasion, the son of Well Chosen quickened clear in good style, and will enjoy similarly speed-favouring conditions in the Grade One Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race today.
The blue riband event – the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup – should see GAELIC WARRIOR (6.05) underline the class shown during his brilliant Cheltenham success.
Fact To File cannot be ignored considering the Willie Mullins stablemate beat Gaelic Warrior by five lengths in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.
However, the manner in which Paul Townend’s mount triumphed last month suggests he can put the record well and truly straight here.
In the opening Group One contest of the day, ZANOOSH (4.15, trb) is a confident pick in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.
This thriving mare, trained by Colm Murphy, took a step up in class in her stride when making it five wins on the bounce in a Grade One – for mares – at Fairyhouse earlier this month, getting to the front courtesy of another swift leap at the last.
Enjoying a 7lb pull in the weights against 13 male rivals, she can show she is just as effective on faster ground.
In the UK at Southwell, the top selection of the day is MAGICIAN OF RIGA (3.30, nap) in the Come Racing For Free 18th June Handicap.
Everything finally seemed to click for the progressive Time Test colt in a seven-runner handicap at Wolverhampton 23 days ago.
Despite a 5lb rise in the weights for that success, the Richard Hannon trainee, named after the nickname of the1960s Latvian chess grandmaster Mikhail Tal, should have the necessary moves to defeat today’s six rivals in Nottinghamshire.
Wednesday tips
PUNCHESTOWN
2.30 Toll Stone
3.05 L’Evangeliste
3.40 Quinta Dio Lago
4.15 Zanoosh (trb)
4.50 The Mourne Rambler (nb)
5.25 Nouvotic
6.05 Gaelic Warrior
6.35 Glens Anthem
PONTEFRACT
1.43 Innichen
2.13 Infraad
2.48 Alpine Girl
3.23 Sir Paul Ramsey
3.58 The Good Biscuit
4.33 Bearwith
5.08 Star Start
SOUTHWELL
2.20 Belelgeuse
2.55 Crimson Blaze
3.30 Magician Of Riga (nap)
4.05 Wondrous Light
4.40 Borderline Madness
5.15 Cezarro
5.45 Wezzeer
6.15 Nevya’s Angel
MUSSELBURGH
1.35 Hickory Lad
2.05 Pivotal Terms
2.40 Gallus Norman
3.15 Woohoo
3.50 Catalyse
4.25 Alpine Sierra
5.00 War Memorial
BATH
4.10 Thecoffeepoddotco
4.45 Lady Blanche
5.20 Connie’s Rose
5.50 Endofastorm
6.20 Darvel
6.55 Atalanta Mist
7.30 Havana Club
8.00 Baynoona
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