Who To Follow At Punchestown On Sunday

The big race of the day is the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle, that in the past has been won by the likes of Douvan, Min and Vatour.

This year we think Master McShee will be tough to beat with his form over hurdles stacking up all season long and he looks to be the most progressive in the field.

He made his hurdles debut at Cork on November and he finished a bright second behind the superstar Appreciate It for Willie Mullins, who has since gone on to frank the form by landing a Grade One over two miles.

Master McShee also franked the form of that race two starts ago when heading back over the same course and distance to get off the mark for the season and the second place in that race has since won next time out.

Keeping the good run of form going, the seven year old made it two wins in a row when winning a handicap hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting by five lengths.

Although he is stepping up for his first black type event, he has not done anything wrong this term and looks one of the more likely winners.

Gordon Elliott is one of the most feared trainers in the sport but over the last few weeks has been having a quiet spell with his yard and will be hoping to get back to his usual standard.

On Sunday he has some huge chances to do that starting with Envoi Allen in the first race of the day who is unbeaten in 10 starts for the handler.

The gelding has quickly become the most talked about horse in the sport and although giving away 11lb on Sunday he is a seriously class act and will be looking to make it three from three over fences.

Elliott also has the likes of Magic Tricks in the Moscow Flyer, Don Diablo in the Maiden and Hell On Earth in the Beginners Chase that all have live chances of picking up races for the master trainer and for that reason he is worth following.

Finally, the jockey to follow on Sunday is the lesser known Conor Orr who is a handy 3lb claimer that has been shrewdly chipping away at his claim over the last few months.

On Sunday he has some big chances to notch some more wins to his roster with his best chance looking to come in the Maiden Hurdle with the Lorna Fowler trained Colonel Mustard, who has some strong form behind Grade One winner Ballyadam.

The young rider has a huge chance to break his duck at the track previously having 21 rides their and he will have never headed into the meeting with as good as chance as he has on Colonel Mustard.