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Punchestown on Thursday saw our old friend Unowhatimeanharry 16/1 take out the gruelling race by 3 lengths from Bacardys who was ridden by PW Mullins while Paul Townend switched to the stablemate Bapaume was a head away in third. Aux Ptits Soins finished fifth in a field of 10.

The Ryanair Novice Chase was the other Gr 1 and this was another Mullins winner with Chacun Pour Soi with Robbie Power in the irons.  They beat favourite Defi Du Seuil by 4 ¼ lengths and Duc Des Genievres was 16 lengths adrift.  Our roughie Us And Them had the temerity to tip out jockey Shane Shortall.  Oh well.

Friday’s card has the Punchestown Champion Hurdle with 7 runners and we like most of these however the market has Buveur d’Air on top and is ignoring his fall at Aintree in a race he had won in the past.  That race went to Supersundae who is on 9/2 here.  Apple’s Jade has been disappointing in his last outings but is still 15/8 probably based on class.  However as  we said we like most of them and it may be that if Supersundae stays at 9/2 we could have a bit of the hard-earned on him on an e/w.

The Champion Novice Hurdle Gr 1 has 12 runners headed by City Island on even money after his good win in the Ballymore at Cheltenham.  Reserve Tank 4/1 won at Aintree and Battleoverdoyen is on 11/2.