2021 Punchestown Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Your guide to Wednesday's Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55), the feature race on day two at the Punchestown festival.

The field was on Monday reduced to six following the withdrawal of hot favourite Minella Indo.

5.55 Punchestown Wednesday: Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Al Boum Photo

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, third this year; may now avenge 2019 loss to Kemboy

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 11-8 favourite

2 Clan Des Obeaux

Comes here with confidence boosted by a convincing display at Aintree; strong contender

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Odds: 4-1

3 Easy Game

Won 2m4f Grade 2 event at Fairyhouse last time; least appealing of four Mullins runners

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Odds: 33-1

4 Fakir D'Oudairies

Deserved his Grade 1 win at Aintree but that was over 2m4f; stamina could be an issue here

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Odds: 6-1

5 Kemboy

Beat Al Boum Photo in this race in 2019; Irish Gold Cup winner before Cheltenham failure

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Odds: 7-2

6 Melon

Has a modest strike-rate for a horse of his ability; yet to win a Grade 1; up against it

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Odds: 16-1

The verdict

Dual former Cheltenham hero may avenge the defeat inflicted by stablemate Kemboy in this event two years ago.
Alan Sweetman

Punchestown festival free bets

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If you want more on the 2021 Punchestown festival:

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo to miss Punchestown with bruised foot

Punchestown tips and odds: six dark horses including an interesting 33-1 shot

Confirmed runners and riders for day two of the Punchestown festival

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