Khan the headline act at Punchestown Mengli Khan looks the headline act at Punchestown as the Grade One winner makes his debut over fences. Gordon Elliott’s charge struck at the top level over timber last season when claiming the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, and was one of the leading novice hurdlers. The Gigginstown gelding finished third behind Summerville Boy in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and also filled the same spot in Grade One company at Punchestown. The five-year-old has always looked to have the scope to jump a fence, and will be the focus of attention for racegoers in the Download The BETDAQ App Beginners Chase on Wednesday. Opposition in the two-miler is strong, however, including a few smart sorts coming into the race with chase experience under their belts. Chief among them looks to be the mare Forge Meadow, a Grade Two winner over hurdles who was only rated 4lb inferior to Mengli Khan in that discipline. She gets a mares’ allowance of 7lb, and shaped with promise on her first outing over fences when third to Dawn Shadow at Galway last month. Trainwreck, who carries the same Gigginstown colours as Mengli Khan, unseated first time over fences but ran a nice race when third to Us And Them at Navan recently. Henry de Bromhead’s charge was an improver over hurdles last season and may progress again this term over the larger obstacles. It could be another profitable day for Elliott and Gigginstown, and the Cullentra handler appears to have found a nice race for Poli Roi in the following BETDAQ Rated Novice Chase. The Poliglote gelding gets into the race off his hurdle rating of 133, and it looks a nice stepping stone for him after a taking performance on his chase debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago. Grotesque makes his first outing for Elliott in the INH Stallions Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle earlier on the card. The big son of Kayf Tara won a bumper for Mouse Morris a couple of years ago, but has been lightly-raced since. He shaped with promise in third over hurdles at Leopardstown last Christmas and was heavily supported as he filled the same spot again at Naas, when last seen in January. Elliott finally gets to take the wraps off Battleoverdoyen in the concluding bumper, having paid £235,000 for him after his point-to-point win in April 2017. The form of that victory looks good, because runner-up Court Liability was unbeaten in three outings for Harry Whittington in England last season.
