Punchestown Sunday Preview - 16/01/22

The first race of the day is the Grade Two Moscow Flyer over two miles and the stand out selection in the race for us looks to be Dysart Dynamo for Willie Mullins.

The five year old son of Westerner was highlighted by many as a horse to watch stepping over obstacles having been a very smart bumper horse, winning both his events last term by a combined 16 lengths.

In December he headed to Cork for his hurdles debut where he did not disappoint, finishing a whole 19 lengths ahead of the second placed Lucky Tenner.

He is sure to improve for that first experience and with Willie Mullins having won six of the last 13 renewals he is sure to go close again.

Next up is the Maiden Hurdle over two miles and the horse that takes the eye is the €52,000 purchase Killer Mode for Gigginstown House Stud.

The seven year old was seen four times as a bumper horse finishing second behind Kilcruit on debut in December 2020 and then went to Leopardstown stepped up to 2m4f and he struggled.

Back at two miles he was a better second at Navan on seasonal debut this season and then a few weeks later went on to get off the mark at Naas.

Stepped over hurdles for the first time last time out he ran a cracker to finish second behind a nice type for Willie Mullins and off the back of that sets the form standard.

Another big event on the Punchestown card is the Grade Three Kildare Novice Chase over 2m4f and we are siding with the favourite.

Bob Olinger is a horse that is held in very high regard off the back of his career to date and now going over fences this term, the world is his oysters.

Back in November 2019 the five year old won an Irish maiden at Turtulla by 15 lengths and was bought and given to De Bromhead off the back of it.

At Gowran Park in March 2020 he made his rules debut in a bumper and again showed clear talent to take the 2m2f event by 10 lengths, seeing off nice types for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.

He was sent back to Gowran Park for his hurdles debut when him and Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow breezed away from the rest of the pack and he narrowly finished runner up behind the Cheveley Park horse.

He was then stepped up in trip at Navan in a maiden hurdle over 2m4f and he was an emphatic winner of the race beating a minor field by 14 lengths.

Last time out he was sent into the Grade One Lawlor Of Naas Novices' Hurdle and he breezed away from a good field to land the event by close to seven lengths.

He rounded off his season in total style when landing the Grade One Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival, seeing off the likes of Gailliard Du Mesnil and Bravemansgame by close to eight lengths.

Throughout last season he showed speed and stamina and he retained that on his seasonal debut at Gowran Park when jumping a fence for the first time under rules and going on to win by close to seven lengths.

He has not been seen since November, but all is said to be good with the Grade One star

The final event of the afternoon sees the Amateur National Handicap Chase over 2m7f and Glenloe for trainer Gordon Elliott could go close.

The JP McManus owned 11 year old is very unexposed for his age only being seen twice since December 2019 and back in the day he has some extremely smart form.

A past Cheltenham festival second to Delta Work in the Pertemps Network Handicap Final, he has also put up some big performances over fences.

Having his first run after two years off at Fairyhouse in December 2021, he looked to need the run in a beginners chase, when behind Stattler, but last time out was a much better fourth on heavy ground.

Given a handicap mark of 129 he could be well in here and looks an attractive bet.