Punchestown Day Two Preview: Kemboy can be king

Plenty of memorable hat-tricks have been completed in horse racing over the years, perhaps none more so than Arkle’s three wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the last of which came in 1966, less than five months before Sir Geoff Hurst propelled England to World Cup glory with probably the most famous hat-trick of all time against West Germany.

Day two of the 2018 Punchestown Festival is another occasion that witnessed one such feat, and while it is not likely to be remembered as keenly as those previously mentioned, it is certainly one that will have carried added significance for jockey Paul Townend. Admittedly, none of the races he won were as prestigious as the Gold Cup – he had to wait a bit longer to tick that box – but they will have felt no less important at the time, given what had taken place in the previous day’s Champion Novices’ Chase. The Timeform report on the race takes up the story:

“A cracking renewal of this Grade 1 staying novice on paper but a most unsatisfactory one in event, featuring one of the most bizarre outcomes you'll ever see in a top race – suffice it to say, The Storyteller would probably have finished only fifth but for events at the final two fences, the most notable incident coming when the leader Al Boum Photo took the wrong course at the last, carrying out Finian's Oscar in the process, following an inexplicable moment of brain fade from the usually-dependable Paul Townend, who deservedly picked up a 21-day ban for his calamitous error.”

Fast forward the clock 12 months and Townend returns to Punchestown as Ireland’s champion jockey-elect, with the undoubted highlight of his season coming courtesy of none other than Al Boum Photo; the pair were reunited for the first time since this meeting last year in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and ultimately ran out decisive winners by two and a half lengths from Anibale Fly. It would be fitting should the pair also come out on top in Wednesday’s feature Punchestown Gold Cup – in the process exorcising the ghosts of last year once and for all – and it would take a brave man to bet against that eventuality, especially as Al Boum Photo arrives here fresher than most after only two starts this season, and with the prospect of more to come (still relatively lightly raced as a staying chaser).

Al Boum Photo wins the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup at @CheltenhamRaces!

The winning-most trainer at the #CheltenhamFestival @WillieMullinsNH wins the Gold Cup for the first time ever! pic.twitter.com/E1QgQuhCDD

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2019

The main opposition to Al Boum Photo appears to come from his own stable, with Willie Mullins also set to be represented by two horses who failed to complete at Cheltenham, namely Bellshill (pulled up) and Kemboy (unseated rider at the first). The former was badly let down by his jumping on that occasion, but few horses can boast a better record at this meeting, with his three wins including a comfortable success in this race 12 months ago, and he would appear to hold sound claims of making the frame once again if bouncing back to his top-class best.

The one who makes most appeal at the current prices, however, is the recent Betway Bowl winner Kemboy. Admittedly, the Gold Cup was not the first time his jumping has let him down over fences, but he was much better in that department at Aintree, sprinting away on the flat in a style rarely seen in the staying chase ranks, undeniably impressive for all that he'd had the run of things in front. Indeed, that performance was right up there on ratings with what it had taken Al Boum Photo to land the blue riband, and, the choice of Ruby Walsh here, it would be no surprise if he had even more to offer, having continually stepped up his form to win each of his last five completed starts.

Kemboy dominates to win the Betway Bowl Chase at @AintreeRaces

A mistake at the last by Balko Des Flos opened the door for @Ruby_Walsh and he took full advantage of the opportunity! pic.twitter.com/OMvrJa6rTk

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 4, 2019

Of the remainder, Monalee didn’t appear to have any excuses when only fourth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham – a race in which Sub Lieutenant and The Storyteller were both pulled up – and probably falls just a bit shy of the level needed to win a Grade 1 in open company, with seven and a half lengths to find if he to reverse the form from his meeting with Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Sub Lieutenant and The Storyteller both ran better races last-time-out, but even their best form leaves them with plenty to find.

Similar comments apply to the admirable Definitly Red, a four-time Grade 2 winner over fences who is yet to trouble the judge at the highest level, and Snow Falcon, who shaped as if better for the run after six months off when fourth in the Devenish Chase at Fairyhouse nine days ago. He is clearly better than that, as he showed when winning a Grade 2 at Down Royal (by a length and a half from Shattered Love, Monalee third and The Storyteller fifth) in November, but it is still hard to see him getting involved if the Mullins trio arrive here in anything like top form.

The first of the two other Grade 1s on Wednesday’s card is the Irish Daily Mirror Novices’ Hurdle at 5.30pm. This race formed the middle leg of Townend’s treble 12 months ago, and there is every chance that he could have landed on the right one again here, with Carefully Selected not one to discount on what will be only his second start over hurdles. Admittedly, the bare form of his debut victory at Limerick is a long way shy of what the first three from the Albert Bartlett – Minella Indo, Commander of Fleet and Allaho (choice of Ruby Walsh) – have achieved, but that trio all had hard races at Cheltenham, and Carefully Selected’s freshness could prove key here, with the potential there for much better judged on his smart bumper form.

One of his better efforts in that sphere came when third behind Tornado Flyer in the Champion I.N.H. Flat Race, and it is that race that rounds out the Grade 1 action on Wednesday at 6.40pm. Mullins holds a typically strong hand at this stage – he is responsible for three of the 10 runners, including recent Fairyhouse winner Golden Spread – but the one who appeals as the likeliest winner at this stage is Beacon Edge. He was picked up by Gigginstown after a really impressive debut for Nicky Richards and could be worth another chance here, having shaped better than the bare result when fourth behind subsequent Champion Bumper winner Envoi Allen in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown last time (never nearer after meeting trouble on the home turn).