National Hunt Preview From Punchestown and Fakenham

There are a few stand out races on Sunday in the UK and Ireland and there are more than a few big names set to line up at Punchestown, specially. The biggest contest of the day is the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase where Big Zeb faces off against Sizing Europe. 
 

1:20 Punchestown

This 3m cross country chase looks like it might finally be what Garde Champetre has needed to get back to winning ways. He's been knocking on the door with place finishes in his past two and there really aren't any genuine stand-out stayers in this field so he should be able to take it if he runs anywhere near potential. Sizing Australia could get up for a slice. 

1:50 Punchestown

The day's feature looks to be a strong forecast play with Big Zeb dominating many in this field on prior occasions and punters will be torn between Golden Silver or Sizing Europe on the bottom. Golden Silver has never gotten the best of Big Zeb in the past and Sizing Europe has put in some good shifts at Punchestown this season. Look for the Zeb/Europe forecast to be the popular selection. 

2:50 Punchestown

This wide open Grade 2 contest should deliver the goods and Gagewell Flyer already has a Grade 2 score to his credit and he genuinely looks the stand out among this field. Lightly-raced Joe Smooth might be able to factor if he progresses the way connections will be hoping for and he may be able to exploit a bit of a weight advantage. Mouse Morris saddles Big Game Hunter and Barry Geraghty gets the mount for the first time, which could be a significant move. 

2:55 Fakenham

The Hempton Handicap Chase is going 3m110y and it looks to be shaping up very well for Ray Mond who sees Alex Merriam keep the reigns. The ten year-old bay is in red-hot form with six wins from his past seven and the only blemish was a credible runner-up performance in a handicap chase at Folkestone. His 5/2 price looks about right and he'll likely see strong support at the top end of the forecast tickets.