Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Saturday May 17

Timeform
17 May 2014

Racing comes from Punchestown this afternoon

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Timeform's Irish team bring you their three best bets from Punchestown on Saturday...

"Keep On Track, who came second in the La Touche Cup over the banks course here at the start of the month, looks primed for a return to the winners enclosure..."

We kick off proceedings with a staying handicap hurdle (15:20) in which Cool Oscar gets the vote. He won this race last year and although his form has been fairly indifferent in the interim, its likely that this race has been his target once again, and he lines up this afternoon off the same mark from which he was successful last year. He showed signs of a return to form when fitted with blinkers last time and they're reached for again today, and although recent Limerick winner Sarah Battle is also one to consider, the selection has conditions at an optimum to make it back-to-back wins.

It's a handicap chase over the minimum trip up next (15:55) and there shouldn't be much between Mallowney and Art of Logistics, with narrow preference for the latter. Mallowney ran out a two-and-a-half length winner when they met over C&D last month but the selection is far better off at the weights this afternoon with a 3 lb weight pull to aid his cause. He is expected to use that to his advantage, although recent Tipperary winner Followmeuptocarlow also enters calculations given he's been quickly turned out.

Our final bet of the day comes in the handicap chase over three miles (17:05) where Keep On Track, who came second in the La Touche Cup over the banks course here at the start of the month, looks primed for a return to the winners enclosure. He would have gone close again two days later but for an uncharacteristic jumping error and he won here in the Autumn too. He clearly relisihes the track and is in fine form, and if he can put it all together he may have too much in the locker for today's rivals. That said, its an open looking contest and recent Fairyhouse winner Knockanarrigan may give him something to think about.

Timeform Irish SmartPlays
All at Punchestown

Back Cool Oscar @ 18.5 in the 15:20
Back Art of Logistics @ 3.3512/5 in the 15:55
Back Keep On Track @ 7.06/1 in the 17:05