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World Series Hurdle Betting: Meade can be the man at Punchestown

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Johnny Ward looks at the two big grade one races on Thursday's card at Punchestown

I gathered a few divergent betting stories from day one at Punchestown, mainly either very good or very bad. I fell into the latter category, and by Tuesday's end was thankful that there are four days left.

It is ever so frustrating to back a horse at Cheltenham who runs dismally before accordingly opposing him at Punchestown when he wins. Think Twist Magic.

And I was in that truly unsettling predicament of fancying a horse but thinking his price was too short. Think Jered.

It was hard to know what to make of Twist Magic: he certainly appreciates this better ground but the proximity of Natal tempers enthusiasm for the form. Mansony was predictably outpaced before flashing home to edge my place bet Schindlers Hunt for third; I think Mansony would make a better horse on this type of ground over two-and-a-half miles. Perhaps he would be a Ryanair candidate next year - certainly, unless it is very soft he is simply too slow to even come close to winning a Queen Mother.

As ever in gambling, there is always another day, and the two Grade Ones on Thursday are very high-class contests. Again, the likes of Inglis Drever, Kasbah Bliss, Noland and Tidal Bay do not run, but it would be hard to be dissatisfied about the in-depth quality of both the and the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase - or the field sizes.

Kazal ran a very respectable race, given the dramatic rise in class from his previous efforts, in the World Hurdle, but I'm not sure he'll have the raw pace to win the stayers' race. He's avoidable at around [5.0], with Blazing Bailey sure to be popular at [4.2] or thereabouts. Beating Inglis Drever at Aintree and doing the same at Cheltenham are altogether different matters. Nevertheless, this fellow is clearly the proven performer in the race.

Cooldine is a fascinating contender who stays all day, but again he has to step up fairly dramatically from the races he has been contesting. I prefer to look at Aitmatov at around [11.0], who likes good ground and travelled well at Cheltenham - even though the yard's form over the week accorded with its very poor historic record. He has excellent form this season over shorter trips and I expect him to go close.

The novice chase will probably only have seven runners given the envisaged absence of Lenrey. However, there will still be three places on the Betfair market. This is race to savour.

Thyne Again travelled really well at Cheltenham, before just getting outpaced from two out. In all likelihood, he would prefer a bit further and the ground will now be quicker - but that piece of form entitles him to be favourite.

There is a similar question-mark regarding trip about Big Zeb and also Conna Castle, whereas J'y Vole falls into the same category and has ground issues to boot. Perce Rock actually is rated almost Thyne Again's equal, and is not mud-dependent as some have previously thought. Tony McCoy is getting to know this horse very well, and I expect him to take a bit of beating.

It would be very unwise to dismiss Wishwillow Lord at bigger odds, though Maralan is much better going left-handed and specifically at Naas; he should fall well short anyway. That said, even though none of them would likely have a docket with the horse's name on it, there would still be a collective jolt in the stands if he should win as punters attempt to scurry towards the parade ring to see Oliver Brady in his eccentric element.