'Well set to start earning his keep' - Five Punchestown runners to follow We had an excellent weekend of racing action in Britain and Ireland, most notably two fabulous Grade 1 races at Punchestown across the two days. The pair were well supported by some thoroughly competitive events and we've selected five Punchestown runners worth keeping an eye on over the course of the season. These include a couple of bumper winners and a Gordon Elliott horse who could be Cheltenham-bound. The Enabler Things didn't quite go to plan for The Enabler over hurdles last season, although he did manage to win a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over 2m4f. He was a little disappointing in three starts after that and finished down the field in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. Making his seasonal and chase debut at Punchestown on Saturday, Gordon Elliott's gelding ran very well for a long way before getting a little tired. Two Willie Mullins runners finished in front of him and he should improve significantly for the run. The feeling is that there's more to come over fences. Ballyfad Another one for Gordon Elliott, Ballyfad extended his unbeaten record to three starts, with two of those coming under rules. He won a bumper at Down Royal earlier this month and followed up in a similar style at Punchestown on Saturday. It appears he doesn't like to be left on his own in front and is perhaps a little lazy when in the lead, because he battled back well to score by half a length after getting headed in the final furlong. Clearly, there's an engine there, and he will be a good staying novice next season. Bally Free There was a lot to like about Bally Free's performance in the 2m6f maiden hurdle on Sunday and it will be a surprise if he doesn't start winning over hurdles soon. The five-year-old had previously bolted up in a point-to-point at Farmacaffley and we haven't seen the best of him yet. Travelling well for a long way on Sunday, the gelding started to run out of gas approaching the second-last and should come on a bundle for that. This £160,000 purchase looks well set to start earning his keep sooner rather than later. Staffordshire Knot Staffordshire Knot was probably a bit frustrating last season, especially as he was runner-up to Brighterdaysahead in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree the season before. The son of Shantou has been much better so far this season, however, and he won with loads in hand on Sunday. Connections will have to be careful with his handicap mark after that performance and he has now qualified for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March. Sunday was his first win over three miles and he's lightly raced enough to suggest further improvement is possible. It's Only A Game Martin Brassil's It's Only A Game showed promise when finishing second in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival on debut and confirmed that by going one better in Punchestown's concluding race on Sunday. The four-year-old was a little short of room at a key stage but managed to find a small gap at the right time and went clear to score by three-and-a-half lengths. He could be ready for a step up in grade and looks like an exciting prospect to follow.
