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Punchestown Betting: Timeform rate the runners in three of the big ones

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The ratings doyens on the Guinness Gold Cup, Ulster Bank Handicap Chase and Paddy Power Champion Flat Race

Guinness Gold Cup

Following his excellent third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time, it is very difficult to see Neptune Collonges failing to gain his second consecutive win in this race. He improved again this season and is a sound jumping, genuine sort that is all but assured to give his running. He acts on good going or softer so no matter what the weather does in the meantime, he will not be adversely affected. With Champion Jockey elect Ruby Walsh taking the mount, he will take all the beating.

Ulster Bank Handicap Chase

Unsurprisingly, this valuable contest has attracted a hugely competitive field and it is one of the English raiders in the field that makes most appeal, the Nicky Henderson-trained Oedipe. An unexposed French import, he has impressively won two of his three British starts in the last 16 months (reportedly suffered a leg injury after the first of those wins) and his latest win at the Aintree Grand National Festival was given an encouraging boost by the win of the second-placed Three Mirrors in a valuable event at Ayr last weekend. This shorter trip is not a worry and it would be no surprise to see him win this before going on to make his mark at Graded level.

Paddy Power Champion Flat Race

As always this has attracted a field that is full to the brim of promising young horses, none more so than the winner of the Grade 1 Cheltenham Champion Bumper, Cousin Vinny. He has won both his starts to date, with the aforementioned Cheltenham event obviously being the pick of those efforts, where he won authoritatively by 3¼l. It would be no surprise for him to improve again from that run and he is sure to take all the beating.

Of the ones at bigger prices, the Dermot Weld-trained Endless Intrigue is interesting. An unbeaten Flat-bred son of In The Wings, he very much impressed with the manner in which he dismissed the useful Gonebeyondrecall at Fairyhouse last time. He is likely to improve again and with a four-year-old allowance in his favour, he is likely to run very well.