Key Trainer, Jockey and Owner to Watch on Day Two of Punchestown's Season Opener Day two of the Punchestown double-header to open the season swings into action on Wednesday afternoon, and it is a surprisingly quiet week for Willie Mullins, who has just one runner across both days. Ahead of day two, which plays host to a pair of Grade 3 contests over fences, we have picked out a trainer, jockey and owner worth watching out for. Trainer - Henry de Bromhead Though Willie Mullins has an incredible 25 per cent return at Punchestown in the last five seasons, the master of Closutton has no runner on Wednesday and that leaves the door open for Henry de Bromhead to have a bumper day. The Waterford-based handler had nine winners at this track last season and although it hasn't been his favourite hunting ground, he has some big chances on the day. Closely related to the very smart hurdler Marie's Rock, Gameball will make his debut for the yard in the opening extended 2m maiden hurdle. A really impressive bumper winner at Ballinrobe for the Slatterys in July, he looks an exciting prospect. De Bromhead has each-way chances in the two following handicap hurdles, and Birdie Or Bust heads the betting for the Grade 3 Novice Chase over the extended 2m2f. She looks like the biggest danger to King Of Kingsfield. In the following Grade 3 Chase over 2m7f, Heart Wood is another one at the head of the market and a reproduction of his Ryanair second at Cheltenham in March would be more than enough to land the contest. Jockey - Keith Donoghue If you are looking for a bit of each-way value on the day, perhaps it might pay to have a flutter on Keith Donoghue's two mounts at good prices. He had 10 winners at the track last season, with a 25 per cent return. The Guinness Boys is running in the opening maiden hurdle and he has his work cut out judged on his heavy defeat at Listowel on his debut. However, he is in very capable hands and he is worth monitoring in the betting all the same. Donoghue's only other ride is Serienmond in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (15:05). A winner over fences at Tramore in May, he probably needed the run when midfield at Listowel on his return and he might be seen in a better light now stepping up in trip. Owner - Gigginstown House Stud It will be a telling day for the O'Learys as they have three strong chances on the card also, the first of which being £330,000 point winner Kovanis in the opening maiden hurdle who won a Leopardstown bumper on debut and makes his hurdles debut now. Gigginstown also hold solid claims in the feature races of the day as King Of Kingsfield takes his chance in the Grade 3 Novice Chase, before dual Grade 1-winner Croke Park steps down in class in the following Grade 3, but he must concede lumps of weight to the field.
