Denman will be a warm order for the totesport Bowl Chase (3.05) at Aintree today after his terrific effort in the Gold Cup, but he may well still be feeling the effects of those exertions and Punchestowns is fancied to take his measure.
Punchestowns was a top-class staying hurdler two seasons ago, chasing home Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle, and made a good start over fences when winning his first two starts last season. He then returned lame after being sent off favourite for the RSA Chase at last year’s Festival and did not reappear until a head second to Pride Of Dulcote at Newbury in December.
Although he has shown some good form at Cheltenham, Punchestowns has won just once from six starts there compared to a record of six wins from seven outings elsewhere in Britain, so it looks a shrewd decision by connections to have missed the Festival last month.
A classy performer at his best, Punchestowns rates a good bet at the 11-2 offered by William Hill.
Denman is the form pick and showed that he has lost none of his ability with a cracking second to Long Run at Cheltenham. However, he had a really hard race there and was beaten when falling two out in this race two years ago having chased home Kauto Star in the Gold Cup 20 days earlier.
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Indeed, a greater threat may come from the progressive mare Carole’s Legacy, who finished well clear of the third when beaten half a length by Bensalem at Cheltenham.
Big Buck’s is tough to oppose in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle (2.00). Nothing seems to faze this outstanding stayer, who was recording an eleventh straight success when winning the World Hurdle for the third time at Cheltenham. Despite the slow early pace not playing to his strengths, Big Buck’s was still able to pull out more when challenged by Grands Crus there and it is hard to see him failing to land this for a third successive time, too.
Zarkandar looked a top-class prospect when winning the Triumph Hurdle and, provided this race does not come too soon, should follow up in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.30). He always looked to be holding his rivals having hit the front approaching the final flight and can again prove too good for Grandouet, who finished third there.
Herons Well can spring a surprise in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ (3.40), which is run over the Grand National fences. He has a progressive profile and was travelling exuberantly up with Baby Run when unseating his rider in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. Usually a sound jumper, he is the type to take well to this daunting course.
Mamlook makes plenty of appeal in the matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.15). He has to race from 6lb out of the handicap here, but is still 2lb lower in the ratings than when a good fourth in the totesport Trophy over hurdles last year and is a sound enough jumper.
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Best bet of the day is Megastar in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (5.25). Winner of the bumper at this meeting a year ago, his free-running nature means that a strong pace is always going to suit him best over hurdles and he should get that for the first time here. He could prove in a different class to this field and rates good value at 8-1 with William Hill.