Lucky 15 Tips: Warrior can spring to victory at Punchestown

The picture in Britain this weekend appears a little unsettled due to the weather, but Ireland’s meeting at Punchestown looks a lot more promising, with no issues expected.  We have a couple of graded races on the schedule: the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and the Novice Chase. 

Winners might be hard to find, but we’re here to give you a helping hand. It’s shaping up to be a competitive seven-race card, so I've picked out four strong fancies to consider putting into a Lucky 15. Check out my Lucky 15 Tips for Sunday, January 11, below.

Horse Racing Odds

13:20 Punchestown – Hakensack @ 3/1

James Hannon’s HAKENSACK only had eight starts over hurdles, and his last couple of efforts were extremely encouraging. He remains a maiden but appears to be going in the right direction, and perhaps the switch to fences can encourage further improvement.

The penny finally dropped at Cork on his penultimate start when the gelding was denied by less than a length when finishing third on the day. He then found only one too good at Limerick over Christmas; he was clear of the third and should become a winner sooner rather than later.

More will be needed, having been put up 2lb by the handicapper since, but the best is surely yet to come from this thoroughly unexposed sort.

13:50 Punchestown – Gringo d’Aubrelle @ 4/1

Fences didn’t bring out the best in GRINGO D’AUBRELLE last season, but you can probably forgive his performances, as he was returning after almost three years off the track. He looked in need of the run at Navan on seasonal debut, and that proved to be the case.

Connections would have been delighted with his impressive victory in a Listed handicap hurdle last time out, and the signs suggest that the old Gringo d’Aubrelle is back. Pulling seven lengths clear that day, his chase mark of 113 now looks very tempting.

He wasn’t disgraced when fourth behind Nine Graces in this race last year, and we could see a very different horse this time around.

14:50 Punchestown – Springhill Warrior @ 11/4

This maiden hurdle looks fairly open, and it could go the way of the Gordon Elliott-trained SPRINGHILL WARRIOR. The five-year-old is related to plenty of winners, and there was lots to like about his performance on debut at Navan back in March.

Finishing second by a length-and-a-half that day, he stuck to his task well despite not having the pace to challenge the favourite.

Improvement seems likely on just his second start over hurdles in this race, and the bang-in-form jockey Jack Kennedy takes the ride.

15:20 Punchestown – Plunkett Street @ 6/1

Michael O’Meara’s PLUNKET STREET won twice on the flat and remains lightly raced over hurdles, especially in handicap company. He was a nose away from getting off the mark on handicap debut at Cork in November and was unlucky to be nabbed on the line.

There was more to come at Thurles next time, though, as he got off the mark with a very smart performance, kicking five lengths clear of the runner-up. It’s hard to argue with a 7lb rise, and he can win more races before the handicapper catches up.

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Lucky 15 tips with Betfred Insights.