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Punchestown Day Four Preview

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Our man in Ireland Wayne Bailey studies today's card and picks the horses to have a bet on.

Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace, Macs Joy... They've all won it in the past, and Friday's feature Champion Hurdle looks like a competitive one, despite the fact that Sizing Europe will give it a miss. Sublimity, Harchibald and Punjabi are still in though, so we should have a good fight on our hands.

Friday is also Betfair day, and Willie Mullins will be hoping to follow up on his success last year in the Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase.

There are eight races on the card, so here's a quick look at the horses that can make the frame...

2:30 KFM Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup

I happened to be on hand to witness Turn Up win a point-to-point some time back, and I made a mental note to back him when he runs in a hunter chase. While this is his first race under official rules, he comes with good credentials. Round And Round was out for a run a few days ago, and won a point-to-point in impressive style, so he should put up a decent fight.

3:05 Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase

Tony Martin is known as the handicap king, and knows when and where to enter his horses. Hold The Pin has been entered in two races this week, but if he runs here, he'll have a lot in his favour. His jumping was suspect last time out at Fairyhouse, so he'll need to improve on that. For those looking for value, Sea Diva should go off at a high price. Hughes' mare has been treated fairly in the weights and she's worth some small money in the win and place markets.

3:45 Betfair.com Novice Handicap Chase

Betfair's own race has a notable statistic in that seven-year-olds have won four of the previous six renewals. One of today's seven-year-olds; Notable D´Estruval won the Ulster Bank Handicap Chase on Wednesday, and the handicapper has not yet caught up with him. If Moore allows him to run, he has a great chance of following up that victory off what is a low weight all considered.

4:20 ACCBank Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

This is the big one, and it's disappointing for those of us who backed Sizing Europe at Cheltenham to see him miss this. I eagerly await his next run, as there are loads of questions yet to be answered. Still, someone has to pick up the €220,000 prize and I've a sneaky feeling that it's time for Punjabi to have his big day. He's always been knocking on the door, and certainly wasn't disgraced when coming third at Cheltenham. Sublimity looks set to go off favourite, but he's way too short for me. Although he won the 2007 Champion Hurdle at Prestbury Park, he hasn't done much since and still has a lot to prove.

4:55 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Fiveforthree showed his dislike for the two-mile trip on Tuesday, but Mullins feels that he came out of the race well, and may just take his chance here. If he runs, he's got a fantastic chance at continuing his trainer's great record in this race. McNamara is likely to ride Tranquil Sea, and if I can get a decent price, I'll keep him on my side in the place market.

5:30 Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle

It'll be a significant sign of his confidence, should Nicky Henderson let Stellino run here instead of Sandown. He disappointed last time out at Kempton, but the word from Lambourne is that he's performing well at home, and looks an exciting prospect. For those looking for value, Baltiman is a reliable sort, and can earn some place money if running to form.

6:00 Bewleys Hotels & European Breeders Fund National Hunt Fillies Premier Bumper

Not a great race for betting, so I'm keeping my stakes to a minimum here. According To Noel made all the running here last time out, and she went on to win by a length back in December. Another horse that's showing early promise is Cait Ni Chaonaigh who was outclassed at Aintree, but returning to a realistic level here.

6:30 Yes To Carrotts (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race

Again, I'm not too keen to get involved in the bumpers, but Willie Mullins' Citizen Vic is worth a small bet in the last race of the day. He put up a decent display when coming second at Navan, and should be able to take these on if he can repeat that form.