Cuneo & Stormy Ireland The Ones To Watch Today

Leopardstown stage two more Grade 1’s today and it would look like Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud have a strong hand in both.

The maroon colours have a few other good chances throughout the day including one horse at a big price in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

Cunny Henry can land Pertemps
Henry de Bromhead has enjoyed winners at all three Irish venues this week and when betting opened up for the Pertemps Qualifier last night it was his charge Cuneo who stood out at 20/1.

The six-year-old was first past the post in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month before losing the race in a stewards room. The promoted winner Satoshi hasn’t done an awful lot to boost the form since but Relegate has won her maiden and Cuneo just could be suited by handicap company rather than in maidens.

They’re likely to go a good gallop here and it could all just play to the strengths of Cuneo who has won a bumper

He wasn’t disgraced behind a Grade 1 winner last time at Punchestown when running over a trip short of his best.

It’s a hot race with Grand National runner-up Pleasant Company looking an obvious favourite running off a much more favourable hurdling rating and JP McManus has a strong team to go to war with but Rachael Blackmore knows the horse well now and he has a lovely racing weight of 10st7lbs. The price looked massive.

Townend’s trip to Limerick to be a fruitful one

Paul Townend is Limerick bound today where Annamix is going to be his most watched ride as he finally makes his debut for Willie Mullins. Stormy Ireland will be his highest rated as she looks to land a competitive renewal of the Grade 3 Irish Independent Novice Hurdle and it is her and Undressed who could form a bet.

The inclusion of Triumph Hurdle winner Farclas and the classy Espoir D’allen make this a nice betting heat but Stormy Ireland is class on her day and she is getting a lot of weight from the geldings.

Stormy Ireland settled much better at Punchestown the last day and won easily on nice ground. Today’s conditions are set to be slower and that should suit her, while the drop back in trip won’t be an issue either. It would be a surprise if she’s beaten.

Stormy Ireland is around about a 6/4 chance, the same price as Undressed in the Veterans Chase.

Undressed made his debut for Mullins in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse and looked to be travelling strongly in that marathon before fading out to finish fourth. He is rated 119 and drops back almost a mile in trip here. With that run under his belt, easier ground and a shorter trip, Undressed would look an obvious choice here on his second start for Mullins.

*Prices correct at time of publication