Horse Racing Tips: Folly can master them all at Punchestown

The weather continues to decimate the National Hunt meetings across Britain and Ireland, but Punchestown’s Monday card should be good to go. Punchestown kicks us off in the afternoon, and the first race is an interesting maiden hurdle at 12:48, whilst the card closes with a mares’ bumper at 15:48.

I've had a close look at the card and picked out my three strongest fancies, including a Tom Dreaper runner who was in fine form when last seen under rules. Read below for my Horse Racing Tips for Monday, January 12.

13:18 Punchestown - Zuzukel @ 2/1

There are several unexposed types who are of potential interest in this race, but Tony Martin’s ZUZUKEL makes the most appeal. The son of Frankel has had just seven starts over hurdles, with only two of those coming in handicaps.

We saw some small signs of improvement at Listowel in June, and although he was comfortably beaten, Zuzukel did manage to get a bit closer. Significant improvement was on display at this course on his most recent start, and he ran a cracker to finish second.

Zuzukel only just failed to catch the winner and was denied by a short head. The front two were comfortably clear of the third, and the handicapper has put him up 4lb following that performance.

It’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t continue to progress in this sphere, and this looks like an excellent opportunity to get off the mark.

14:48 Punchestown - Lord Tobin @ 9/2

Gordon Elliott has been firing on all cylinders for a prolonged period of time, and the steady flow of winners is showing no signs of stopping. He runs the thrice-raced LORD TOBIN here, and it’s highly unlikely that we’ve seen the best of him just yet.

Costing €85k at the sales, he made his debut in a Punchestown bumper in February, which was won by a stablemate. Lord Tobin didn’t quite have the pace to challenge the leaders, but ran well enough back in fourth and definitely showed some promise.

His next effort was very underwhelming but probably too bad to be true. Making his hurdles debut at Navan last month, he eventually finished third, but it was obvious that the two-mile trip was a little on the sharp side for him, so better is expected now up in distance.

15:18 Punchestown - Folly Master @ 10/3

Tom Dreaper’s FOLLY MASTER appeared to need the run when a disappointing fifth on his return in a point-to-point in November, but should step forward significantly with the benefit of having that run under his belt.

His performances under rules have been very solid over the last couple of seasons, and he won here over hurdles in January 2024. That comfortable success came over a furlong further, so we know stamina isn’t a problem, and course form is always good to have.

Connections then switched him to fences, and he has two wins and two seconds to his name in four completed starts over the larger obstacles. The return to hurdles isn’t a concern, especially as he now looks very well treated in this sphere.

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