punchestown 30th May

There's a decent meeting at Punchestown and the highest rated horse on show is Loosen My Load, who goes in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Chase.

Henry de Bromhead's classy performer didn't really come up to scratch after returning with a Navan win last season, and was last seen finishing down the field in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

At his best on top of the ground, these conditions will suit, although he lacks the recent match practice of the veteran Dancing Tornado, who was bang in contention over the smaller obstacles at Killarney when departing at the last.

Raptor came within a whisker of success at the last meeting here and the intermediate distance of two and a quarter miles should suit him down to the ground in the 10 Euro Admission Chase.

The weight he receives from Slieveardagh could prove decisive, as could his fitness edge over the returning Lenabane.

The latter's stablemate Stonemaster hasn't hit the heights expected of him over fences, but he has still done enough to warrant top weight for the Conyngham Cup (QR) Handicap Chase, which opens the fixture at 5.55.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins starts his Wexford bumper scorer Letherbelucky over obstacles in the jogforjockeys.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle, and his Passage Vendome bids to go one better than he did at Ballinrobe when he lines up for the www.irishracehorseowners.com (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

French import Authinger made it second-time lucky on these shores and Arthur Moore wastes no time in raising his sights, pitching him into an ultra-competitive Punchestown Handicap Hurdle, in which Bachelor Affair, Esporao, Nodelay and He's Our Man all arrive on the back of wins.

Elsie ran out when a warm order at Killarney but, if on her best behaviour, should gain a deserved success in the Mickybo And Me INH Flat Race.