Horse Racing Tips: Kawaboomga can blast past the competition at Punchestown

There is more top class action over jumps in Ireland on Thursday as we enter the third day of the Punchestown Festival, with five flat meetings to enjoy in Britain across the afternoon and evening. 

First off is Yarmouth before they go at Redcar, Lingfield and Punchestown. Evening All-Weather meetings follow at Kempton and Southwell. Among our horse racing tips for Thursday is one for in-form trainer James Fanshawe, who caught the eye when narrowly denied on her handicap debut last time.

15:50 Yarmouth - Alice De Clare @ 11/10

James Fanshawe's lightly-raced filly ALICE DE CLARE was a big eye-catcher on her handicap debut at Beverley last week and could take some stopping at Yarmouth.

She made up plenty of ground and pulled six lengths clear of the remainder of the field when only beaten a neck by the well-supported and better-placed favourite Barbury Boy.

On that evidence, this well-bred filly can rate a good bit higher, yet she remains on a mark of 59, which is already due to go up 7lb and can take advantage here.

Fanshawe's yard continues in fine form with a 28 % strike rate over the past two weeks at the time of writing.

16:30 Redcar - James McHenry @ 5/1

The feature race at Redcar on Thursday is a competitive class 3 handicap over 1m2f, with a bold bid expected from the top weight JAMES MCHENRY.

The son of Starspangledbanner has only raced four times since finishing runner-up in the 2024 Cambridgeshire from a mark of 92, but there has been plenty of promise in his last two starts.

He wasn't beaten far in a fourth at Kempton in February, in a race that has worked out really well, before not getting the clearest of runs at Musselburgh last time out on April 12.

He has been dropped 2lb to a mark of 90 and is entitled to progress for that first outing in two months.  James McHenry could find some improvement over this extra furlong with cheek-pieces on for the first time.

Edward Bethell's stable continues to be among the winners and the yard looks to have a strong chance of winning this race for the second year in a row.

18:05 Punchestown - Kawaboomga @ 7/2

Teahupoo has strong claims to emulate Klassical Dream and win this race for the third year in a row. However, he comes here after a disappointing effort at Cheltenham and will have to reverse that form with his old rival Bob Olinger.

While they set the standard, there are some promising young stayers in opposition, including the JP McManus pair, Honesty Policy and KAWABOOMGA, with preference for the latter.

The son of Tunis has only been seen four times since joining Willie Mullins in 2024, but has progressed with each outing.

He chased home Kopek Des Bordes on debut before winning his maiden hurdle with high-class rivals William Munny and Koktail Divin in behind.

The step up to 2m4f suited when second in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time. That was a clear personal best and he looked as if this further progression in trip may unlock some extra progress from this lightly-raced six-year-old.

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