11:55 Punchestown Tips

Has won all four of his races since moving to his new yard. Can make it a five-timer here, still running 7 lbs below his hurdles mark.

Western Model rates high after finishing runner-up at Fairyhouse last month in a somewhat hard contest, just three seconds over the fences. Small Town Hero is the competitive one in this race to Western Model.

These look really good each way odds as James' the Brave was a winner last time out, and this race is wide open.

The going is likely to be very testing at Punchestown, and that should be ideal for Fox Le Bei on his return from a long absence. He is still a maiden after 30 starts but has been placed on 13 occasions, including 3 times on heavy ground. He has been absent since finishing 2nd at Tipperary in April 2024, but dropped 2 lbs, he could go close again and looks like a good EW bet with 5 places on offer.

A speculative chance is taken on Plain Or Battered, who has made only two runs this year. He now makes a return over the fences, having had only two tries so far. He placed third on his chasing debut but fell on his second attempt. Could potentially surprise at large odds.

The first run over fences last time out was clearly over too short a trip (as evidenced by her best hurdles runs), and she could be a different proposition now that she gets a major step up in trip. One of her best hurdles efforts was when placed on heavy off an 11lb higher mark than she races off here, and she certainly has a better chance than her 28/1 quote would suggest.

Not a great race but it will be a severe test on the heavy going. Eddies Pride needs to recover his form from last year when he landed an average Clonmel handicap chase on soft/heavy and did it comfortably despite being out of the handicap. The horse has been a winner in the month of November when he scored over three miles at Punchestown on soft ground. Eddies Pride is now eleven pounds lower in the weights compared to last year's success. His wins have come when he carried 10-0 and 9-9. Today Calum Hogan takes over in the saddle and his allowance will reduce the weight carried to 9-10. Eddies Pride can't be ruled out of making one of the five places on offer at massive odds.