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Punchestown Day Three Preview: Bolger bids for a 11th straight success

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Wayne Bailey runs through all the betting on the third day of the Punchestown Festival

Day three sees the renewal of the La Touche Cup, and trainer Enda Bolger looks set to emulate Pat Hogan's record by training 11 consecutive winners in the race. Stone walls, ditches, fences and banks - If you haven't yet seen this incredible spectacle, make sure you tune in at 3:05, even if you're not having a bet.

Fresh from beating Inglis Drever at Aintree, Blazing Bailey returns in the feature race of the day, the World Series Hurdle. Alan King's six-year-old is sure to attract a lot of money Betfair, but hot on his heels will be Kazal, who came third in Cheltenham's World Hurdle.

We're approaching the halfway point of the festival, let's go to battle once again...

2:30 - AON Hurdle

Kalahari King wasn't disgraced when coming fourth, then third at Cheltenham and Aintree respectively. Ferdy Murphy has been aiming fairly high with this horse, but this race is a more realistic level for the five-year-old. Willie Mullins' Captain Conflict will have his supporters, but I'm more interested in the horse his brother Tony has entered, Decoy Daddy. He should go off a decent price, and should be able to land some place money.

3:05 - Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Chase for the La Touche Cup

Five years ago, I agonised as to whether Enda Bolger could win this race six times in a row. Last year, I wondered if he could make it ten. In 2008, I'm making a quick decision to back him and not agonise over the field too much. He has a large course at home, set up solely for training horses for this race, and his domination here simply cannot be ignored. He has a few entered, but looks likely to run just two. Nina Carberry will ride Garde Champetre, and John Thomas gets on board Freneys Well. I'll be dutching both, and hoping he can equal what Pat Hogan did in the 80s.

3:40 - Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Conna Castle is an interesting entry and won a maiden here a couple of years ago. The distance shouldn't be a problem, and he might be thereabouts at a nice price. J'y Vole will have his supporters, but he left a bad taste in the mouth when losing at a Betfair SP of 1.73 last time out at Naas.

4:15 - One 51 Handicap Chase

Another new race, so no past clues as to the likely winner's profile. Torrid Kentavr catches the eye and I'm hoping he makes the final line-up. He's a course and distance winner here, and the handicapper hasn't gone to town on his mark, despite a recent three-length victory at Tramore. He looks set to go off at a nice value double-figure price.

4:50 - Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle (Grade 1)

Blazing Bailey has been a horse that has frustrated me somewhat, as I always seem to back him at the wrong time. Only once in his career has he won twice in a row, so I'm not going overboard with my stakes. He's still only six, and learning all the time, so this slightly less competitive race should be right up his street. Kazal came third at Cheltenham's World Hurdle, and should give him plenty to do. Mullins' Cooldine has built up a nice picket fence beside his name, and is surely one for consideration in the place market.

5:25 - Real Estate Alliance Handicap Hurdle

Not a race that's been particularly kind to backers, and nine of the previous ten winners were priced in double figures. I'm not keen to get too involved in this race, but Ted Walsh's Paramount should have a good chance should he run, and gets a token vote in the place market.

6:00 - Masterchefs Hospitality (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race (Mares & Geldings)

The Pro/Am gives up-and-coming amateur jockeys a chance to take on their professional counterparts, but it's not one to bet heavily in. Willie Mullins has a reasonable record in this, and Cormacstown made an impressive return to the track recently after a two-year break. He won last time out at Tramore, and looks set to put up another good battle.