JAKE PRICE’S FRIDAY PUNCHESTOWN TIPS

The NAP of probably the whole meeting comes in this race, where Mister Policeman is surely going to take the world of beating.

Willie Mullins has a ridiculous record in this Novice Handicap Chase, winning seven of the last eight renewals. An intriguing pattern in the race is that five of those seven carried top weight, and that's exactly what our selections aims to do here. For a Horse who has always looked like he needs a step-up in trip he's had a successful campaign with three victories including at Grade 3 level last time out, but going up to 2m4½f here on his Handicap debut should allow for plenty more improvement.

He's going to take a world of beating under Paul Townend.

Allegorie De Vassy is zero from six in the Spring months during her career to date, and she was beaten 17 lengths in this race 12 months ago so I'm happy to take her on here with Brides Hill.

This Gavin Cromwell Mare has had a flawless campaign - winning effortlessly at Listowel in September, before backing that performance up at Fairyhouse in December in game fashion. She was last seen 99 days ago when bolting up in the 2m4f Listed Mares Chase at Huntingdon in January, but she unfortunately missed her Cheltenham Mares Chase engagement due to the rain softened ground.

Missing that contest means she comes to Punchestown as a fresh Horse however, and that will surely count in her favour receiving 2lbs from the favourite.