PUNTERS are licking their lips at the star-studded end to the National Hunt season – which looks to be throwing up plenty of opportunity for winners.
Things don’t just end after Cheltenham Festival, far from it.
GettyGalopin Des Champs is set to return to action in the Punchestown Ladbrokes Gold Cup[/caption]
The three-day Aintree Festival, headlined of course by the Grand National, kicks off on Thursday week.
Before that there is the Irish version of the world’s most famous race.
And at the end of the month the blockbuster Punchestown Festival draws to a close another season over obstacles.
Here’s a rundown of where we can expect to see all the big names, many of whom will be looking to follow up after Cheltenham success.
Constitution Hill
Nicky Henderson’s all-conquering stable star is 1-4 for the Aintree Hurdle on Thursday, April 13.
Unbeaten under rules, Constitution Hill was a nine-length winner of the Champion Hurdle.
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The only way he will be beaten at Aintree is if he falls and a future over fences beckons… possibly.
Shishkin
Another Hendo star currently heads the betting for what is being dubbed the ‘race of the season’.
After jumping terribly throughout, Shishkin was gaining on Envoi Allen with every stride in the closing stages of the Ryanair.
The two won’t lock horns at Aintree but, currently, Ahoy Senor, who tipped up when going well in the Gold Cup, and Bravemansgame, who finished second, are in the betting.
As is four-time Grade 1 winner A Plus Tard, who was hampered by Ahoy Senor’s fall in the Gold Cup.
Conflated, third in the Festival showpiece, could also take his place in the line-up.
Galopin Des Champs
The horse they all played second fiddle to in Cheltenham’s big race was Willie Mullins’ staying sensation.
We will have to wait until Wednesday, April 26, to see him back in action.
But it could be worth it as he is set to take on a rejuvenated Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Punchestown.
Energumene
Tony Bloom’s wonderhorse – who made it back-to-back Champion Chase wins at Cheltenham – will likely go for the Irish version at Punchestown.
He pumped Chacun Pour Soi by eight-and-a-half lengths last year and it doesn’t look like anyone stands much chance of getting much closer this year.
Noble Yeats
Last year’s National winner will look to do it all again 12 months on.
He will carry top weight in the world’s most famous race but is 8-1 to win, a strong second behind 6-1 market leader Corach Rambler.
Lucinda Russell’s charge looks 10lb well in, but this is the National, and anything can happen.
State Man
He had to play second fiddle to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, but Willie Mullins’ best hurdler has a great opportunity to go one better in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle on Ladies Day at Punchestown.
That’s on Friday, April 28. Honeysuckle won the race last year but in all honesty it didn’t look a vintage renewal.
Given he was four lengths better than third-placed Zanahiyr at Cheltenham – and Constitution Hill doesn’t do the unthinkable and go to Punchestown too – then it looks, almost, like a penalty kick for State Man.
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