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How many Cheltenham Festival winners did we see at Punchestown on Sunday?

Bob Olinger (near side) en route to winning the Grade 3 Kildare Novice Chase
Bob Olinger (near side) en route to winning the Grade 3 Kildare Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

'Just Bob Olinger gets my vote'

One. While Dysart Dynamo was impressive, I'm a big fan of Constitution Hill when it comes to the Supreme and the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle winner has yet to prove he stays further than 2m2½f, let alone the 2m5f of the Ballymore. He would certainly be a player in the festival opener, but Constitution Hill just looks a machine.

Bob Olinger was the future Cheltenham Festival winner on show, his jumping was more than up to scratch as he gained a second comfortable chase success.

The Turners is the obvious port of call come March for last season's Ballymore winner, but whichever races he lines up in he will be very hard to beat.
Jack Haynes, reporter

'Dysart Dynamo was wildly impressive'

Almost certainly one and possibly more. Bob Olinger is obviously going to be very difficult to beat in the Turners following his impressive win over Capodanno in the Kildare Novice Chase.

There has never been any doubt over Bob Olinger's engine, but I had concerns about whether he would really take to fences this season after his chasing debut at Gowran Park, when he put in one or two less than fluent leaps. However, he dispelled those with a fluent round at Punchestown, proving he is effective at the discipline, and the sky's the limit once again.


Sunday results, analysis and replays


Capodanno looks pretty good himself, having pulled 27 lengths clear of third-placed Gaillard Du Mesnil, and he wouldn't be out of it were he to turn up for a novice chase at Cheltenham.

Dysart Dynamo was also wildly impressive in the opener and is clearly a huge talent too.
Graeme Rodway, tipster

'Extra gear sets Bob Olinger apart'

The fact it's 8-1 bar Bob Olinger at evens for the Turners Novices' Chase says it all really and I was really impressed with his jumping on Sunday, albeit missing the three fences down the back due to the sun was a disappointment.

He's got another gear at the end of a race the majority of horses simply don't have and obviously rates the most likely winner of the Cheltenham contest, although it's worth remembering Envoi Allen fell as the 4-9 favourite in the same race last year.

Dysart Dynamo looked a proper two-miler in winning the Moscow Flyer with ease but that means he could be heading for a clash of the titans in the Supreme. He's well worth his place but I'd marginally favour Jonbon on better ground at this stage and there's also the small matter of Constitution Hill and Sir Gerhard.

Back to the original question and I'll say one, Bob Olinger.
Lewis Porteous, reporter


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