A really tricky Grade 1 to call, though the weather may have the final say with an inspection due at 8am. Heavy rain has led to heavy going and, despite the two-and-a-half-mile trip, it’ll be a real test of stamina.
That won’t help Shark Hanlon’s Hidden Cyclone, who arrives in good form having won a couple of times over the summer and placed in the Galway Hurdle. He’s won at this trip with similar underfoot conditions, but not at this grade.
Gigginstown have two runners: Valseur Lido for Willie Mullins, and Clarcam for Gordon Elliott – who won this last year with star chaser Don Cossack. Retained jockey Brian Cooper chooses the former – a tip in itself – though his charge will have to defy a 222-day absence, which will be tough.
He was thumped in similar conditions by the re-opposing Gilgamboa at Fairyhouse in the spring, but that was at the end of a long season and both start theirs tomorrow so are hard to back with any confidence at slim prices.
Davey Russell gets the ride on Clarcam, who was disappointing behind a good horse in Ptit Zig last time out and is on his third run this season. He should improve again and makes a lot of appeal on the strength of his Grade 1 win at Aintree last season and defeat of Vautour last Christmas. Unlike a few of these, this is his trip – though the ground may stretch his stamina.
Willie Mullins has chosen this to kick off his Gold Cup second Djakadam’s season. Owned by Rich Ricci, this horse certainly doesn’t get the hype he deserves compared to his superstar stablemates Faugheen and Vautour. His second behind Coneygree at Cheltenham was a brilliant performance for a six-year-old, and he has every right to improve again.
Soft ground must be a plus and we know he stays much further, but he flopped when fresh in the Hennessy at Newbury last season and won’t be at his best tomorrow. Though we got burned by that same logic with Don Poli today, it still stands up and 2/1 can’t be a good price on last year’s evidence.
Flemenstar must be past it now and Foxrock’s best performance to date was in a weak renewal of the Irish Hennessy so I’m passing both.
At 14/1 and with scope to improve given he’s only five, Clarcam just stands out as the value bet despite him being passed by Brian Cooper. He’s taken to notch a third Grade 1 with Djakadam best of the rest.
1pt win Clarcam @14/1 or best morning price, Punchestown 13:50
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