Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Friday at the Punchestown Festival including 40/1 pick

• Katie Midwinter has selections at the Punchestown Festival on Friday

• Classy mare can reverse form

• Likeable grey is overpriced

• More tips to follow this afternoon when prices available...

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16:15 Punchestown Festival - Back Ontheropes E/W @ 22/123.00

10

Ontheropes (Ire)

• J: Mr Charlie Mullins
• T: Thomas Mullins, Ireland
• F:

Eleven-year-old gelding Ontheropes achieved a fifth-place finish in last year's Scottish Grand National when seven-and-a-quarter-lengths behind winner Macdermott, before falling when ahead at the Galway Festival then going on to win a point-to-point since switching from the Willie Mullins yard to Tom Mullins.

In recent starts, Ontheropes, who was once purchased for £240,000, has appeared at Cheltenham and Aintree, respectively, following a second-placed finish to Ryehill at Naas in February.

He finished eighth behind Wonderwall at Prestbury Park, staying on from the rear without being in a position to threaten, before replicating that performance, when again sticking to the task from far back in the field at the Grand National Festival over a shorter trip than required.

The step back up in trip should allow him to fare better, and, under 7lb claimer Charlie Mullins, Ontheropes is no forlorn hope at odds of 22/123.00, capable of making the frame.

16:50 Punchestown Festival - Back Allegorie De Vassy @ 10/34.33

3

Allegorie De Vassy (Fr)

• J: P. Townend
• T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
• F:

Although she has suffered defeat in this race twice previously, Allegorie De Vassy could make it third time lucky for Closutton and regular partner Paul Townend.

A dual Grade Two winner over fences, the eight-year-old mare was in contention when falling at the last at Cheltenham on her latest start. Whilst eventual winner Dinoblue did hold a slight advantage at the time, Allegorie De Vassy still posed a threat. She was narrowly beaten by the same rival, her stablemate, on her penultimate start, too, when the pair competed over two miles in a Listed Naas contest. 

It's likely to be a good battle between the pair once again, with others in the field making it an interesting contest, too, however, Allegorie De Vassy makes the most appeal at the prices as she's a classy mare capable of landing this prize if on a going day.

17:25 Punchestown Festival - Back Sea Music E/W @ 11/112.00

14

Sea Music (Ire)

• J: Donagh Meyler
• T: Emmet Mullins, Ireland
• F:

Emmet Mullins-trained Sea Music appears on a workable mark from a rating of 129 considering some of the chase form he has shown previously.

Making only his fifth start over fences under Rules here, the seven-year-old remains open to further improvement but has already shown promise as a chaser including when beating now 125-rated Dutch Schultz by four-and-three-quarter-lengths on chasing debut over this distance at Kilbeggan.

Sea Music also placed second to now 133-rated Sportinthepark, when finishing ahead of 131-rated Will Do, as well as 125-rated One Last Tango, and now 129-rated Canal End, who franked the form in Listed company at Navan, in a Galway Novice Chase, in which he gave 4lb to each finisher in that contest.

Although he was unable to make an impression at Chepstow in October, pulled up when reported to have slipped, he returned to some form over a shorter trip on his next start. When last seen, the son of Sea Moon unseated early on, and he remains unexposed in handicap company over fences, capable of making his presence felt from a potentially lenient mark.

18:05 Punchestown Festival - Back Belloccio E/W @ 40/141.00

1

Belloccio (Fr)

• J: Rachael Blackmore
• T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
• F:

Belloccio is overpriced at odds of 40/141.00 in the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle, capable of faring better than his price suggests under Rachael Blackmore.

Likely to enjoy the drier conditions at this time of year, the seven-year-old grey enjoyed success at Royal Ascot in the Copper Horse Handicap last summer, and was able to finish third at Grade Two level when two-and-a-quarter-lengths behind Irancy on his latest start.

He had plenty of ground to make up on his previous outing at Fairyhouse, but stuck on well over the two miles suggesting the step up in the trip could suit, and the form of the race has been franked with the winner claiming Grade One honours here on Tuesday.

Fourth-placed Gaucher, half-a-length behind Belloccio that day, also performed well on his next start, when fourth in a Listed handicap here earlier this week, and it could be worth continuing to follow that formline.

At a huge price, it would be no surprise to see the likeable gelding be competitive for Willie Mullins.

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