Punchestown Festival Betting / Kevin Blake / 24 April 2008 /

Kevin Blake runs through the markets including Blazing Bailey's tilt at Irish glory

Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle

Despite the presence of a handful of promising novices in the shape of Cooldine and Venalmar, it may be best to concentrate on the established and in-form Grade 1 staying hurdlers in the field, Kazal and Blazing Bailey. Following an abortive campaign over fences earlier in the season, the former has quickly shown himself to be a high-class staying hurdler, finishing 4½l in front of the latter when third in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. However, the firmer going at Punchestown is unlikely to play to his strengths and Blazing Bailey, following his gritty win in first time blinkers at Aintree, is favoured to prevail. The main worry surrounding his chance is that he was reported to have returned with a cut on his hind leg at Aintree and may have had an interrupted preparation since, but one can trust that Alan King wouldn't be running him unless he was confident of him reproducing his best.

Real Estate Alliance Handicap Hurdle

Despite a hugely competitive field, there is one that very much jumps off the page at me, and it is the Paul Nolan-trained Ardalan. A half-brother to no less than Azamour, he was a fairly useful handicapper on the Flat for John Oxx before changing hands. He began his handicap hurdle career off a lowly mark of 77 and has won three times since. Given a winter break, he made a hugely eye-catching return over a very much inadequate 2m trip at Leopardstown in early-March, suggesting that he remains well handicapped. The return to this 3m trip is significant and with the Nolan team in good form, a big run can be expected to be forthcoming at what should be a double-figure price.

Masterchefs Hospitality INH Flat Race

So often a minefield for punters, the concluding bumper looks to be a typically competitive affair.
However, the one that catches the eye is the Tom Mullins-trained Fosters Cross. The fact that he was beaten 21 lengths by Pineau De Re on his debut will be enough to put most people off, but he shaped much, much better than the bare result suggests. The winner was soon in a clear lead and was effectively ignored by the remainder of the field until it was too late.

Meanwhile, Fosters Cross was being given a very considerate introduction and quickened up nicely under hands and heels riding to beat the remainder comfortably. With improvement very much forthcoming, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him run very well.

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