Punchestown have performed miracles to put on a 5 race card on day three of the Festival, and the big race (6.05) of features a mouthwatering clash between Quevega and Voler La Vedette.
The former has won the last two runnings and proved herself as good as ever when landing her fourth consecutive David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
She handles the going, has a great turn of foot and is clearly the one they all have to beat.
However she can put in the occasional sloppy jump at the business end of affairs, and in Voler La Vadette faces a formidable opponent who is arguably the form pick.
Colm Murphy’s mare put in a career-best effort when chasing home Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle where she looked a real threat at the last before getting outstayed in the final 50 yards and being beaten 1 4/4 lengths.
She does have winning form in heavy ground to her name, but I am not convinced that she is at her best in such testing conditions and expect Quevega to have her measure.
However rather than back Quevega at 5/4 in what are going to be atrocious conditions I am going to suggest a small each-way play at 20/1 on her stable companion Mikael D’Haguenet.
The eight-year-old was a top class novice and although he has failed to live up to the huge expectations once held of him showed that he still retains plenty of ability when rattling up a hat-trick over hurdles in December/January.
He was then surprisingly turned over at 4/11 when beaten by Mourad at Navan and ran no race whatsoever behind Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle.
However all his best form has been on bottomless going and with the Mullins’ horses running so well it would be no surprise to see him bounce back and put in a really bold showing.
Elsewhere on the card the two I like at decent odds are Shalimar Fromentero in the 5.30 and Cairdin in the 6.40.
Nick Williams sends over the former who ran well last time out in France and was in the process of running a huge race in the Becher Chase at Aintree back in December when coming to grief at Beccher’s Brook.
The six-year-old was well backed that day and now looks potentially well treated off a mark of 126 on ground which will hold no fears for him. If he can put in a clear round then I think he is the one they all have to beat and at 8/1 he looks solid each-way material.
Cairdin has been running well all season and put in a really solid effort last time out when staying on in determined fashion to finish fourth of 22 to Archie Meade at Fairyhouse.
Margaret Mullins’ gelding has only been put up a 1lb for that effort and is a real tough cookie who has winning form on heavy.
He looks the type who will relish a slog through the mud over 3 miles, and looks overpriced at 10/1.
Daily Sport recommended bets: 1pts each-way Mikael D’Haguenet (20/1 Hills, Paddy Power)
2pts each-way Shalimar Frometero (8/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
2pts each-way Cairdin (10/1 bet365, Boylesports, Hills)