Lucky 15 Tips: Doctor will be on call at Punchestown

National Hunt racing takes centre stage across Britain and Ireland on Monday but there is also an all-weather meeting to look forward to, for those who love the Flat. Punchestown hosts a seven-race card and there are some interesting maiden hurdles that could throw out some useful types. Plumpton and Hereford provide the National Hunt action in Britain, whilst they race under the lights at Wolverhampton in the evening.

Our expert has taken a close look at Punchestown’s card and selected four tips to follow which include a Willie Mullins runner in a maiden who could be Cheltenham-bound.

13:10 Punchestown - Leader D’allier @ 8/15

The Willie Mullins-trained LEADER D’ALLIER has a significant amount of experience in bumpers and has an excellent record of five runs from six runs in his native France. He completed a five-timer in that sphere and that impressive run began at Nancy in March.

Contesting a Grade 3 at Vichy on his final start in France, he was slowly away in that 1m4f contest but that made little difference in the end and he kept on well to score nicely. It’s no surprise that he has ended up at Closutton and expectations are high.

The son of Cokoriko started out over hurdles in a two-mile maiden at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and ran well enough to finish second behind an impressive winner. Improvement seems likely and this is a good opportunity to get off the mark.

14:40 Punchestown - Doctor Du Mesnil @ 1/2

It’s quite hard to win a bumper by a wide margin and it doesn’t happen too often but Willie Mullins’ DOCTOR DU MESNIL managed to do so on debut at Cork in April.

Making smooth headway on the home turn, he took up the lead with two furlongs to go and kicked 11 lengths clear. The runner-up has since boosted the form by winning over hurdles and it was a very impressive display from the gelding.

Doctor Du Mesnil made his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and ran a cracker to finish second by a nose, although he would have been third if not for a last-flight faller. He’ll improve for the run and will prove very hard to beat if doing so.

15:10 Punchestown - I’m Slippy @ 5/4

Robert Tyner’s I’M SLIPPY has done absolutely nothing wrong so far and retains a significant amount of potential, as he remains lightly raced.

He battled well to score by half-a-length in a valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse over Easter and won again on hurdling debut in November.

Going off the 1/3 favourite, he was always prominent and the result never really looked in doubt. He made a mistake at the second-last but still managed to score by five lengths with plenty in hand.

Tyner’s gelding lost nothing in defeat when second to a very smart prospect in a Grade 3 Fairyhouse next time and looks like the one to beat on that form.

16:10 Punchestown - Roccabaker @ 5/1

It certainly took a while for the penny to drop but ROCCABAKER took a massive step forward to get off the mark at Tramore on New Years’ Day.

David Kelly’s mare stayed on strongly to score by five lengths that day and further progress can’t be ruled out.

It’s worth noting that the handicapper has responded with a 9lb rise which will make life harder but her confidence will be high and a repeat performance could be on the cards, in what looks like a very winnable race.

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