Punchestown Day One

16:20
Sharjah should run a nice race at a decent price, but this looks between the front three in the betting to me. Getabird was as disappointing at Cheltenham as he was impressive at Fairyhouse. Thoughts are he doesn't like going left handed so I expect him to continue winning ways. Mengli Khan and Paloma Blue should follow him home.
Getabird 3 pts win 11/10

16:55
Joey Sasa looks like a solid option at around 9/1 with six places available for each way backers. A winner by four lengths in a flat maiden last time out he comes in good form. Western Boy is also a nice price and won this last year, he will like the better ground and has a chance. However it's one of his owners other representatives the one for me in Top Ten, he finished third to Sharjah on debut. He followed that up by winning a 16 runner maiden, the first two finished 18 lengths clear of the third and could have any amount of improvement.
Top Ten 1.5 pts ew 8/1

17:30
What a race in store here. I think the drop to two miles on softish ground won't inconvenience Un De Sceaux and he rates a danger. That would have to bring in Doctor Phoenix who looked threatening to Un De Sceaux last time out before falling when set to lay down his challenge. Min ran a super race to serve it up to Altior at Cheltenham before failing by 7 lengths. I was a little disappointed he didn't go on and win at Aintree, but maybe that Cheltenham race just took a bit out of him. On that evidence Douvan is the bet, having had a frustrating season where he didn't make an appearance until the Champion Chase. He was tanking along in front that day and was jumping well until the fourth last where he didn't and came down. That race would have blown the cobwebs away and expect him to be in A1 shape today. He will be much the freshest and that my also aid him at the end of this season where the others have been slogging through the horrid winter ground.
Douvan 3 pts win Evens

18:40
Monalee is a worthy favourite for this three mile Novice Chase, having followed home the mightily impressive Presenting Percy in the RSA. There is nothing of that calibre in this race so has a favourites chance. However 15/8 seems short as he isn't a guaranteed stayer over three miles. Al Boum Photo was quite impressive last time out winning the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, beating Shattered Love by a length over 2 1/2 miles. I will take Shattered Love to reverse the form over this longer distance, he hasn't been out of the first two this year and has grade one winning form over 3 miles. He is also two points bigger at 7/1 and is excellent each way value. Rathvinden won the National Hunt Chase and will definitely be staying on in this, he will be hoping they don't go to quick and he could run into a place.
Shattered Love 2 pts ew 7/1