Punchestown Festival Day 1 Tips: Owen’s each-way plays for Tuesday

The five-day Punchestown Festival gets underway on Tuesday with a eight-race card running from 14:30-18:35 and featuring three Grade 1s.

It looks a tricky affair, so I've gone each-way for my Punchestown Festival Day 1 tips.

15:05 - Hartur d'Arc each-way @ 8/1

Gavin Cromwell's HARTUR D'ARC is the pick of 25 runners in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old son of Diamond Boy qualified by finishing second of 14 at Naas earlier this year, on what was his first start over the smaller obstacles since October 2023.

As a result, his significantly-lower mark was raised to 118 and in the meantime he finished runner-up in a Listed chase at Naas last month, showing a high level of form while protecting that all-important hurdles rating.

There's no doubt the selection is a better horse over fences, but he's more than capable in both disciplines and this has clearly been his aim for the year.

As this is an Extra Place Race, with 5 places available instead of 4, the suggestion is an each-way one.

15:40 - Helvic Dream each-way @ 11/1

Just over half an hour later is a Listed handicap hurdle over an extended two miles - another Extra Place Race (5 instead of 4) - and my each-way fancy is HELVIC DREAM.

Noel Meade's eight-year-old, a 105-rated Flat horse in his heyday, began his jumping career just under a year and a half ago, in a competitive maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse, and he's run eight times since.

He's only got one win to his name, but some of his form - particularly his second to the well-handicapped Kala Conti at Down Royal back in November - is strong.

The son of Irish 2000 Guineas winner Power spent 137 days on the sidelines earlier this term, returning with a spin on the level at Gowran Park on the second day of the month.

Then, 20 days later, he posted a career-best effort in a Listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse just seven days ago, finishing second of 16. Despite making a bad mistake three out, he was only beaten half a length, with the reopposing Serienmond and American Money behind.

Helvic Dream is three pounds worse off with the latter, but actually a pound better off with the former, so while there wasn't much at all in it, I am hopeful about that form being confirmed.

The likes of Lark In The Mornin and British raiders Ascending Lark and Brentford Hope are dangerous, but there's lots to like about the selection who has every chance of troubling the judge if none-the-worse for his recent exploits.

16:50 - Slade Steel each-way @ 12/1

Finally, I think 2024 Supreme winner SLADE STEEL is the each-way play for this Grade 1 novice chase over 3m1f.

Henry de Bromhead's seven-year-old son of Telescope was seen as a big disappointment after failing to win beginners' chases at Navan and Naas at the start of this season, but the form of both contests looks pretty good now.

He was beaten by Better Days Ahead - a 154-rated Grade 2 winner - and the reopposing Lecky Watson, who landed the Brown Advisory at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

On both occasions, Slade Steel travelled like the best horse in the race before fading tamely. That's an obvious concern, especially as he steps up to 3m+ for the first time, but I'm assuming there was an issue which has hopefully been ironed out during his 134-day layoff.

He'll need to be 100% to win this, but for me he's overpriced at present. It's not hard at all to see him hitting the frame.

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