Punchestown Racing Tips: Slade Steel can come out on top again

• A Punchestown Nap, Next Best and Each Way from Timeform

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Punchestown Nap - 15:40 - Back Slade Steel

Slade Steel looked well above average when winning his first two starts and he enhanced his reputation further in defeat when finding only Ballyburn too good at the Dublin Racing Festival.

He took his form up another notch when resuming winning ways in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time, fluffing the last but still finding plenty on the run-in to fend off the reopposing Mystical Power.

That rival has since gone on to win at Aintree to give the form a boost and there is no real reason why Slade Steel can't uphold the Cheltenham form now.

Punchestown Next Best - 16:15 - Back Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs looked a bright prospect when making a winning start for these connections in a maiden hurdle at Thurles by 13 lengths in November and, though he disappointed in Grade 1s on his next two starts, he got back on track at Ludlow last week.

Admittedly, that wasn't much of a race, but he could hardly have been more impressive, and he remains with potential now having his sights raised again for a powerful trainer who can do little wrong at present. He should be very competitive from a mark of 135.

Punchestown Each Way - 15:05 - Back Montregard

A wide-open, big-field handicap hurdle where the Tom Lacey-trained Montregard ought to go well.

He has won two of his four starts over hurdles, doing well under the circumstances fitted with first-time cheekpieces when resuming winning ways at Wetherby last month, staying on well in the closing stages to overcome a steady gallop.

This should be run to suit and there should be even more to come from this lightly-raced five-year-old.