5:25 Punchestown Tips

King Alexander has done well this season since switching to fences, being in two photo finishes: a close 3rd and a close 2nd before winning at Gowran Park. He then finished 4th at the Cheltenham Festival in a Grade 2 handicap chase. This looks an easier handicap for him to win.

Goes well fresh and comes here with conditions to suit. Likely more improvement to come, and, being one of the least exposed, can go close.

This gelding possesses an exceptional mathematical profile, throwing down peak performance ratings that are vastly superior to his current handicap mark??'suggesting he is carrying a stone or more less than his true ability dictates. Crucially, the tactical setup is a dream. A fierce, contested pace is fully anticipated up front, which perfectly suits his preferred deep hold-up style. He is a horse that travels powerfully through his races, and as the prominent racers begin to tie up late on, the race should fall perfectly into his lap. At 11/1, the market is severely underestimating the alignment of his raw ability and today's race shape.

Won by over 4 lengths here back in November following an eight-month break, over a furlong further. 6 lb higher for this, but no surprises if he can get among the four places on offer.

Karia Des Blaises is only a tentative selection in what looks to be a very hot race. She had been running well enough over today's distance before being tried in the Irish National, where she made too many mistakes.

Riaan looks to have solid claims if returning in good order from his 210-day break. His last run saw him win a 2m5f chase by 3¾L, beating the now 151-rated Jesse Evans off 132, which is a strong piece of form and shows he can be competitive off this sort of mark. Looking back further, his effort at the Cheltenham Festival over 2m4½f stands out. Finishing 6th, beaten 9½L to Jagwar (now rated 155) in a race packed with horses rated 150+ suggests he was operating at a high level in deep company. He then backed that up with an excellent run at Punchestown Racecourse in this corresponding race last year, finishing 2nd to James Du Berlais (now 156), pulling well clear of the rest of the field. That performance in particular shows how well suited he is to this track and race conditions. The main question is fitness after the break, but if he is ready to go, Riaan has the class, course form, and proven handicap level to be a major contender.

This 11-year-old has demonstrated remarkable stamina, consistently finishing in the top ranks of competitive staying handicaps. His reliable form and the expertise of P. J. Rothwell position him as a solid contender for an each-way finish on good-yielding ground.