I HAVE a huge week ahead of me with the Punchestown Festival.
The Irish Champion Jockeys’ Title is really heating up between myself and Jack Kennedy.
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It would be brilliant to be champion again, but it’s not going to ruin my season.
I have a huge book of rides at Punchestown, and I will be concentrating on taking it ride by ride and winning Grade 1s.
What will be will be in the championship after that.
Tomorrow my focus is on Sandown, where I start with Easy Game (2.25).
He was a no show at Aintree which was uncharacteristic for him. I hope he can leave that behind, but he looks up against it on what he done at Aintree to be honest.
There are some younger legs in here with less miles on the clock.Â
The clash of day sees El Fabiolo take on Jonbon (3pm). El Fabiolo only jumped a couple of fences at Cheltenham and made a bad mistake, so I pulled him up.
He was sore enough after it, but he seems 100% now. If the real El Fabiolo turns up, then I can’t see us being beaten.
My best ride of the day is on Impaire Et Passe (4.10). He just got the better of Langer Dan at Aintree and I will be playing my cards a little bit later.
Langer Dan is so consistent, but I hope we have the touch of class.
I also ride Nick Rockett (3.35), and I wouldn’t write him off either, his jumping has been solid all season, and my last ride is on Sa Majeste (5.20) in the lucky last.
His best days are ahead of him and he will give them something to think about.
THE JIM McGUINNESS FACTOR VITAL
By Marc O’Se
With Derry out of the Ulster Championship, Armagh will feel that they have a great opportunity to claim the spoils.
Today’s match against Down is a game that they should be winning.
They have a better forward threat and have the more experienced team to get over the line here.
Kildare v Louth is a game that will go down to the wire tomorrow. Glenn Ryan will know he got out of jail against Wicklow.
Louth have match winners and having seen off Wexford comfortably, Kildare certainly won’t have things their own way here.
I would not rule out a draw at 15/2.
Offaly done well to beat Laois to get to a Leinster semi-final against Dublin.
But that will be as far as they will go because there is simply no way they can beat the Dubs in the form they are in.
Dublin are 10/11 to cover the 20-point handicap.Â
A week turnaround is not easy for Tyrone when they face Donegal. To their credit, Donegal worked so hard against the hot favourites Derry last weekend and the Jim McGuinness factor proved vital.
That extra day recovery will really help Donegal and I will back them for the win.
THE WHEELS ARE OFF!
By Nicola McGeady
The wheels well and truly came off the Liverpool wagon when they were defeated by bitter rivals Everton during the week.
The loss all but ended their title challenge. In a relatively short space of time, Jurgen Klopp’s men went from being the 5/4 title favourites to 33/1 no hopers.
The title is back in Manchester City’s hands after they saw off Brighton on Thursday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now just 2/5 to go all the way.
With their toughest remaining fixture an away trip to Spurs on the penultimate game of the season, it is hard to see an upset.
Current league leaders Arsenal are 2/1 to win the title but have two tough away fixtures remaining against Spurs and Man United.
All that remains to be settled in the battle for a Top Four finish is to see who claims that 4th and final spot.
Aston Villa had been counted among the title race, sometimes leading the table and despite things slowing down a bit, they have had an incredible season and are the big favourites at 1/4 to
claim that spot.
Spurs entered the season in uncertain terms and are 5/2, while Man United are 100/1.
