Our Irish racing expert Johnny Ward struck with impressive 11-2 winner Capodanno on Thursday and has three fancies on the penultimate day of the Punchestown Festival. Enjoy every moment live on Racing TV and Racing TV Extra. We speak to Joseph O'Brien on On The Wire this weekend and his views on his runners are worth noting, one of whom I tip here, two of whom run at Newmarket.
Have a listen to our latest On The Wire podcast with Joseph O'Brien a special guest
The tricky punting challenge that is Punchestown gets no easier on Friday, but here are three selections.
This horse carries a health warning (fell or unseated three times in his last six runs) but he's brilliant in general at his fences and he's a course winner. I feel being ridden prominently will be a big help here and he has the talent to win off this mark. Interestingly, this Flat-bred horse has rarely run on decent ground.
Honeysuckle makes her Punchestown debut and should win, but she is accordingly priced. If ever Abacadbras is going to beat her this must be the day, with pretty much everything in his favour and having proven he likes this track. He's a really fair each-way price and he looked right at his best at Aintree, when he hit the front too soon. He should be in the first three at worst with plenty of pace in the race.
Joseph O'Brien's jumps strike-rate has not been great this year but hopefully Keskonrisk can improve it. His jumping was still a major issue at Cheltenham and that is a concern but he has a lot of ability, as he showed in Grade One company previously at Leopardstown. He must have a massive chance in a race of this nature.