Punchestown Festival: Tuesday’s tips

David Metcalf | April 25, 2016

Automated geared up for big run in handicap hurdle

Automated shaped as if ahead of his mark when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 2m handicap hurdle on a cracking card at the Punchestown Festival (16.55).

The Gordon Elliott trained gelding has only had four starts over the obstacles, and came good on the second of those when running on strongly to beat Stuccodor by six lengths at Navan.

Automated backed that up with a solid third to the highly regarded Lift The Litch at Gowran Park, leaving the impression that was better to come.

Excellent effort at Aintree

That view was confirmed when the five-year-old finished runner-up to Ivan Grozny in a competitive 17-runner contest at Aintree off an opening handicap mark of 128.

After being held-up in midfield, Automated made smooth headway three from home to be travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders with two to jump.

The son of Authorized then chased the winner approaching the last, before keeping on well to be beaten eight lengths.