Stayers Hurdle upset? Ashdale Bob well backed against favourite Klassical Dream

Ashdale Bob has been backed to cause an upset in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (5.25), the feature race on day three of the Punchestown festival.

Klassical Dream remains a strong favourite at a best-priced 11-8, but the Jessica Harrington-trained Ashdale Bob, whose only victories have come over two and a half miles, has had his price cut to 7-1 (from 11) to strike over three miles this evening.

The seven-year-old was a creditable third in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham after just being touched off in a Grade 2 at Navan by Thedevilscoachman, who is now a non-runner on today's contest.

Punchestown tips: one key runner from each of the eight races on Thursday

Klassical Dream took the step up to three miles in his stride when winning this race last year but was slightly disappointing when finishing fifth behind Flooring Porter in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham last time.

Paisley Park looking for another Grade 1Credit: Grossick Racing

He should find this more suitable but does have a British raider to contend with as Emma Lavelle takes her chance and sends 2019 Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle hero Paisley Park for a first trip to Ireland.

A stalwart of the staying division, the admirable ten-year-old won his third Cleeve hurdle in January and finished ahead of Klassical Dream when third at Cheltenham.

Blue Lord clear favourite with well-fancied stablemate Gentleman De Mee out

Blue Lord is now clear favourite for the Barberstown Novice Chase (6.35) at Punchestown after stablemate Gentleman De Mee was withdrawn due to a respiratory infection/scoping badly.

The oldest member of the Willie Mullins-trained contingent, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was initially cut to 9-4 after the Maghull Novices' Chase winner was ruled out but is now strong at a general 13-8.

The JP McManus-owned Gentleman De Mee had been a well-backed odds-on favourite to take the contest after his impressive defeat of Arkle winner Edwardstone at Aintree's Grand National meeting this month.

Blue Lord clear favourite for the Barberstown Novice ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Blue Lord was back in third behind the Alan King-trained runner at the Cheltenham Festival but, with neither Edwardstone or Gentleman De Mee to worry about, punters are clearly happy to latch on.

The seven-year old is the strongest in the market with Mullins' other pair, Haut En Couleurs, who was sixth in the Arkle, and Saint Sam (unseated in that contest) both general 9-2 shots having been beaten by Blue Lord at Leopardstown in February.

Mullins is the dominant force in the Barberstown having won the last six runnings of this contest, most recently with Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene, who was again victorious on day two of the festival.

The one looking to stop a seventh consecutive win is Gabynako, who finished ahead of the Mullins trio at Cheltenham having been a four-and-a-quarter-length runner-up in the Arkle. Gavin Cromwell's charge is a general 5-2 second favourite.

Singing Banjo well backed for a repeat of last year's La Touche Cup victory

There has been sustained support in the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase (4.50) for last year's 33-1 winner Singing Banjo.

The P J Rothwell-trained chaser was as big as 11-1 with some firms on Wednesday but has been well backed into 7-1 suggesting the repeat bid may be on.

The now 12-year-old comes into the contest fresher than last year, in which he ran just two days after winning the Hunter Chase Perpetual Cup on the opening day of the five-day festival showing himself to be a specialist in this discipline.

Singing Banjo: last year's La Touche Cup winnerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Singing Banjo's last two visits to the Punchestown Bank course have yielded two wins, so a return to this track could bring him back to winning ways.

There is also British interest in this event with Potters Corner, who was fancied for the Grand National postponed by Covid, running for the king of staying chases Christian Williams.

The 12-year-old has dipped his toe into the cross-country realm, finishing second at Cheltenham in December, and will look to put the performance at the Festival behind him now he is back on better ground.

Market movers

4.50 Singing Banjo 7-1 (from 11)
5.25 Ashdale Bob 7-1 (from 11)
6.35 Blue Lord 13-8 (from 9-4)

Ground and weather

The ground remains unchanged for day three of the five-day Punchestown festival with the going good to yielding, yielding in places on the hurdle and chase courses and good on the cross-country course.

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan, speaking on Thursday morning said: "We have fresh ground today on the hurdle course and also on the chase course.

"We will continue to monitor the situation going forward but today and tomorrow is mainly dry. We'll have a look at the track tomorrow evening after racing. There is a possibility of a little change on Saturday, a possibility of some showers. We're all good to go."

Non-runners

3.40 19. Hidden Land (ran recently)
4.15 5. Rebel Gold (ran yesterday), 8. Zarkareva (in season)
4.50 7. Michael's pick (respiratory infection)
5.25 6. Thedevilscoachman (respiratory infection)
6.00 11. Festival D'Ex, 24. Midnight It Is (ran yesterday)
6.35 4. Gentleman De Mee (respiratory infection/bad scope)

Now read these . . .

'His schooling's been unbelievable' - Thursday's most revealing trainer quotes

Punchestown festival tips: Thursday's best bets from two Racing Post experts

A market shake-up and all eyes on 2,000 Guineas declarations ahead of Classic

Sign up now. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £10 and win or lose you will receive £30 in Tote Credit, redeemable against racing bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.