Punchestowns is a horse that has impressed me immensely in his two victories over the larger obstacles, and I rate him the day's best bet in the RSA (2.40)
Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old showed he had a huge engine when overcoming a bad mistake to slam Tchico Polos on the bridle at Sandown at to me he looks the real deal.
He has bags of class, as he showed when finishing runner-up to Big Bucks in last year's World Hurdle, and my own view is that Cheltenham will suit him far better than it will his stable companion Long Run.
I have backed him at 7-2, which I thought was cracking value, and still believe he is value at 11-4 compared to Long Run at 9-4.
Selections:
1.30pm: Abbeybraney
2.05pm: Quel Esprit
2.40pm: Punchestowns (Nap)
3.20pm: Master Minded/ Golden Silver (ew)
4.00pm: Hampshire Express
4.40pm: Sanctuaire
5.15pm: Frawley (ew)