Punchestown Festival: Saturday’s tips

Anibale Fly, who also carries the famous green and gold hoops of McManus, is feared most in a highly competitive affair.

The Tony Martin trained gelding looked a smart prospect when winning bumpers on his final to starts last season, and confirmed that view when showing a nice turn of pace to make a winning return to action in a maiden hurdle at Navan.

Anibale Fly was then far from disgraced when third to Belshill in a Grade 1 at Naas, and ran far better than the bare result suggests on handicap debut at Leopardstown when fourth of 12 to Solita.

The six-year-old travelled strongly in the latter, but was given far too much to do before staying on strongly under tender handling to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.

Anibale Fly backed that up with a decent staying on sixth of 15 to Clondaw Warrior over 2m at Fairyhouse when last seen in action, and the step back up to 2m 4f looks sure to suit.

Selections

14.35: Quantitativeeasing
15.10: Folsom Blue
15.50: Slowmotion
16.25: Apple’s Jade
17.00: Potters Cross
17.35: Sort It Out (NAP)
18.10: Stretchingthetruth
18.40: Chapter Seven

Related

Check out our horse racing archive, and more specifically our dedicated Punchestown section.