Placepot Pointers for Punchestown: Hit the target with Half Shot

Things begin in a big way with the first race at Punchestown on Sunday, with Envoi Allen and Astorian Forlonge doing battle at 12:50.

You’ll need to navigate that race and five others if you’re to land a share of the Tote Placepot in - however throughout January we’re giving you a helping hand.

Not only have we got a whole host of pointers to help you on your way, but with our Placepot Insurance offer, we’ll give you your money back up to £10 if you are eliminated in the first leg.

Soft ground form could be key on Sunday with the conditions set to be testing. It’s Heavy all round at Punchestown, so that extra staying power might be required.

Few, if any, jockeys are riding better than Paul Townend at the moment. Of course, he has the firepower of Willie Mullins to help support him, but he still needs to get them over the line. The Gold Cup winning rider has seen 14 of his last 20 rides finishing in the frame, with eight of those winning. He takes a ride in the first four races of the day and in truth, you’d be disappointed if the majority of them didn’t see you through to the fifth leg.

Leg 1 - Asterion Forlonge

Leg 2 - Ganapathi

Leg 3 - Frere Truck

Leg 4 - Klassy Kay

For many, Envoi Allen is a winning banker chance, let alone a place one, but for our Placepot we’re siding solely with his one key rival, ASTERION FORLONGE (Leg 1 - 12:50). Not only does he have the assistance of the in-form Paul Townend in the saddle, but he is getting 11lb from Gordon Elliott’s superstar. While it still may not be enough to overhaul the short-priced favourite, he looks clear of the rest on ratings and what he has achieved so far. It might seem risky having just one representative in the first leg of the day, but with the Tote’s Placpeot Insurance in place, fail to make it through to the second race, and you’ll get your money back, up to £10.

The fifth race of the day (14:50) is a Beginners Chase where there isn’t a huge amount of reliable form over the larger obstacles on show. Taking a couple against the field is probably the way to go.

ENSEL DU PERCHE won’t be much of a price but looks an interesting contender sent chasing after just three gradually improving hurdling runs for Gavin Cromwell.

But the outsider we’re going with here is HALF SHOT. He put up the best hurdling performance of his career last time out when third at Limerick over 2m3f. Outpaced and staying on well, he suggested that a stiffer test of stamina would suit much better here. He’s related to a couple of chase winners, so there’s a good chance we could see much more from him here.

Three places up for grabs in the Maiden Hurdle, with double that number of horses looking to have a good shout of filling them makes Leg 3 (13:50) a tricky proposition.

Paul Townend rides FRERE TRUCK who was fourth behind Clondaw Secret last time out on his hurdling debut showing enough there to suggest that he should progress into a decent animal over timber. He wears a tongue tie today and another bold show is expected.

Two places in front of him that day was LIFETIME AMBITION, who has finished in the frame on his last three outings over hurdles. This drop in trip is a question mark, but having clocked a Racing Post Rating of 127 on his last trio of runs, he is a decent yardstick and will likely be there or thereabouts.

Leg 1: Asterion Forlonge

Leg 2: Ganapathi

Leg 3: Frere Truck, Lifetime Ambition

Leg 4: Klassy Kay

Leg 5: Ensel Du Perche, Half Shot

Leg 6: Kristian Goingwel

1 x 1 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 2 = 8 lines