Horse Racing Tips: Rely on Riann to rule at Punchestown

Punchestown, 16:50 - Back Boycetown each-way @ 11/26.50

There was no doubting the authority in which The Mourne Rambler landed the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Meade's five-year-old lengthened well up the hill under Colin Keane to put substantial daylight between himself and chasing rivals and looks a tough nut to crack on his return to the track in this Grade 1 event.

One of those rivals left trailing in his wake was the likeable Boycetown who was sent off a relatively unconsidered 22/123.00 chance for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The son of Capri settled well and travelled beautifully throughout on the inside rail for Keith Donoghue who then manouvered his mount off the rail in a bid to launch a concerted challenge turning for home.

Boycetown couldn't match the instant acceleration of the winner, but kept on manfully to finish on the heels of the lightly-weighted four-year-old filly Mets Ta Ceinture who claimed the silver medal.

Although he has roughly three lengths to make up on his old adversary, Cromwell's grey has already galloped around Punchestown which might help and Derek O'Connor is a great man to have onside as he bids to turn the tables on his Cheltenham conqueror.  

It is also worth noting that he clocked the fastest furlong and top speed at Cheltenham so has clearly got the gears required to win at this level.

Punchestown, 17:25 - Back Riaan each-way @ 14/115.00

Absent for seven months since scoring well at Sligo last October, Riann could be an interesting contender as he strives to go one better in this year's renewal of this Grade 3 Handicap Chase.

Runner-up 12 months ago in this corresponding event, Gordon Elliott's nine-year-old has a good record fresh and seems to excel over today's trip with his stats at two-and-a-half miles standing at 2210112.

The selection had no answer to the class of James Du Berlais 12 months ago, but that effort came hard on the heels of a fine run behind Jagwar in the Plate at Cheltenham, whereas he is super fresh this time round.

Available at 12/113.00 with four places on offer at the time of writing, Riann was adjudged to have recorded a career best by the ratings gurus in dismissing Jesse Evans by four lengths in October and could well post another bold effort under conditions which suit him well.

Bath, 18:55 - Back Atalanta Mist @ 9/25.50

As luck would have it, I was on track to see Atalanta Mist make her racecourse debut at Salisbury last October where she was sent off at 18/1 to win division two of the Pyledriver Novice Stakes.

The daughter of Ulysses belied the lack of market confidence in her chance with a commendable performance, staying on takingly from the back of the field to take third, just three-and-a-half lengths behind the more experienced Illy's Roo.

Two subsequent outings at huge prices on the all-weather last October served to earn her a mark of 57 for her seasonal reappearance at today's venue earlier this month.

Again sent off at a big price (28/1), Atalanta Mist looked like she floundered a little in the rain softened conditions, before sticking to her task well enough to finish 10 lengths in arrears of winner Silver State.

Her rival that day has subsequently scored well at Doncaster to endorse the form and the defeat saw Marcus Tregoning's filly drop to a mark of just 55.

Although she will arguably need further in time, this race represents a great opportunity to shed her maiden tag at basement level.

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