Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Say hello to Saludos at Punchestown

Jessie Harrington's Saludos has plenty going for him in the 15:20 at Punchestown

There is some cracking jumps action in Ireland today with a top-class card at Punchestown supplemented by some very interesting fare at Cork, and we have picked out three more SmartPlays...

Hurricane Fly is the star attraction at Punchestown today but it is too the handicap hurdles on the card that we look too for today's SmartPlays. In the first of them (14:45) the booking of Ruby Walsh for the in-form Lady Olwyn catches the eye, but the other last-time-out winner in the field, Mr Eko, makes even more appeal. Twice a winner over fences last season, Mr Eko showed the benefit of his reappearance effort when digging deep to see off Grange (won here yesterday) over two miles here earlier this month and a 6 lb penalty for that win looks fair. In fact, Bryan Cooper's mount is still well handicapped in relation to his chase form and the return to this longer trip will suit.

Tennis Cap will surely win a race over hurdles before much longer, but he may have to settle for minor honours again at Cork today as Thunder And Roses looks the one to beat in the maiden at 15:00. Dessie Hughes's gelding went the right way in bumpers, unlucky to bump into the exciting Bonisland at Roscommon before readily landing the odds at Naas last month, and he has some jumping experience having finished second in a point. Trip and ground will suit and Mark Enright is taking a valuable five pounds off his back.

Saludos hasn't run over hurdles for twenty one months, but that is no reason not to support him on his first try in a handicap over the smaller obstacles at 15:20. He was only beaten a neck in a Grade 1 novice hurdle in 2009/10 and has since gone on to win three times over fences, including when last seen back in March. A mark of 130 looks on the lenient side (third off 139 over fences last season) for a horse that tends to go well fresh, his yard continue to churn out the winners and Saludos may well get his own way up front here.

Timeform Irish SmartPlays

Back Mr Eko in the 14:45 @ Punchestown
Back Thunder And Roses in the 15:00 @ Cork
Back Saludos in the 15:20 @ Punchestown