JAKE PRICE’S WEDNESDAY PUNCHESTOWN TIPS

My NAP on day two of the Punchestown Festival comes in the 3m Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, where I really like the chances of Better Days Ahead.

This six-year-old trained by Gordon Elliott was brought along nicely this season, winning his 3m Maiden at Fairyhouse in November, before then finishing 4th in a Grade 2 behind Slate Steel over 2m4f. He ran in a 2m Novice Hurdle at Navan in January with a view to running in the Martin Pipe, which he won off a mark of 140 in game fashion from two nice horses in Waterford Whispers and Quai De Bourbon (who has won since).

A step-up in trip back to 3m is surely what he needs, and under Danny Gilligan he must have strong claims against horses who had a tough race in the Albert Bartlett.

In a linking formline with the NAP, Answer to Kayf surely has strong claims in the Auction Hurdle Series Final now dropped in class from his Cheltenham Festival exploits.

This eight-year-old has already won twice including at Naas in February when winning a Qualifier for this race - beating subsequent winners Captain Cody and Blizzard of Oz. He has plenty of strong form in defeat this season too, particularly when 2nd to Waterford Whispers or 3rd behind Loughlynn in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Limerick - but arguably his best piece of form was going 4th in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival last month just behind Better Days Ahead et al.

If he turns up in the same type of form, he could take a lot of beating under 7lb claimer John Shinnick.

The British don't send many raiders across to Punchestown, but once again they look to have a good chance here with Jetjoile who represents the Ryan Potter team.

This nine-year-old was prolific last spring winning twice at Chepstow off marks of 130 then 137, before returning after his summer break in October where he won the Grade 2 Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree. Things haven't quite gone to plan since with a decent 4th behind Ga Law in January followed up by a pulled-up effort on heavy ground at Newbury in March.

Back on some nice spring ground after a 60-day break however, he has dropped down to a mark of 145 in Ireland, which is actually 1lb lower than his Aintree success. With Dylan Johnston stepping aboard to take off 5lb, he surely looks to be well treated.