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The42′s Winning Post: Everything you need to enjoy Day Two of Punchestown

And hopefully find you a winner.

Robbie Power celebrates winning with Sizing John Robbie Power can do no wrong, what about Sizing John? Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Three big talking points…

1. SIZING UP HIS chances: Fox Norton put paid to the idea yesterday that horses putting in big efforts at Aintree or Cheltenham might struggle and Sizing John (10/11) will look to make it a Gold Cup double at 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Djakadam (10/3) will represent the biggest threat in the betting market but is too often the bridesmaid in this company and may prefer a little bit more give in the ground.

Coneygree (13/2) is the interesting one here as he looks to return to his spot as the best staying chaser in racing. His heavy defeat to the since-disappointing Cue Card last time out does not bode well, however.

Many went into the Cheltenham Gold Cup thinking Outlander (8/1) could spring a surprise but he tailed home some 50 lenghts behind Jessica Harrington’s favourite and, alongide Champagne West (18/1) and Flemenstar (100/1) looks to have a lot to do.

Penhill should be a winner for the Mullins stable. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

2. Penhill is mightier than the sword: Just before Wednesday’s main event comes a fascinating tussle for the three mile Novice Hurdle (4.55pm).

Albert Bartlett winner Penhill (5/2) is rightly the favourite having ridden clear of Monalee (3/1) that day but a very slight ease in the ground compared to March should suit Henry De Bromhead’s horse.

After winning the Martin Pipe at Prestbury Park, Presenting Percy (11/4) steps up in class but it’s the second Mullins runner, Al Boum Photo (9/1) who could prove the real danger as he too graduates to Grade 1 company for the first time.

Fayonagh ridden by Jamie Codd comes home to win Fayonagh will start as favourite. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

3. Roli Poli: Gordon Elliott saddles the favourite Fayonagh (2/1) in the Champion Flat Race (6.05pm) but it’s Poli Roi (11/4) with two wins from two starts who catches the eye even with the Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner in the field.

Harrington and Daughter team up once more with the fancied, and lightly raced, Someday (11/4) but Elliott’s team will take some beating on the day.

NAP of the day…

We’re going all the way to the lucky last — the Mares National Hunt Flat race (7.15pm) — for Wednesday’s NAP with Minutestomidnight (3/1) who finished 12 lengths clear of the field last time out.

An each-way fancy…

25 go to the post in the day’s opener — the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (3.40pm) — and only an idiot would try to pick a winner. With that in mind, we’re going with Bilko (25/1) for the Elliott camp. And if that name seems familiar, here’s why:

 Accumulator…

€10 on Monalee, Sizing John and Minutestomidnight will return €305.45.

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