Punchestown Festival day three

Our top picks from Thursday’s card

Day two at the Punchestown Festival gave our followers a couple more winners, including the champion of the Gold Cup. Sizing John was backed in all day like losing wasn’t an option, and although he delivered, there was little in a thrilling finish, old rival Djakadam again having to settle for silver.

Focussing on Thursday’s card and we look to keep things moving towards the weekend by nudging you in the direction of a few more worth having. Scroll to the bottom of this page and you will find a selection in every race, aimed at giving you a helping hand with multiples. We also detail our NAP and next best below.

Nichols Canyon at the double

Starting with the 5.30pm Champion Stayers Hurdle and we have a talented field line-up for this year’s contest. Willie Mullins saddles Nichols Canyon, who goes into the day as race favourite with our odds compilers, but there seems enough of a price there to give backers a real interest.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the jolly was seen winning the grade one Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month, beating the big-priced Lil Rockerfeller off by ¾ of a length. The margin of victory suggests a close-run race, but the eventual winner always looked like he was on his way to the line in front, leading and sticking to his task on the run in.

That recent form is impressive, but it’s also worth noting that the talented seven-year-old remains unbeaten at this track, boasting a three-for-three record around Punchestown. Punters look to have one eye on that Stayers Hurdle result though, with this race expected to follow a very similar path in terms of the finishing positions.