Punchestown Festival Tips - Best bets on Day Four

We've taken a look through the full card on Friday and picked out our best Punchestown Festival day four tips.

Three Stripe Life was my NAP when he won the Mersey at Aintree last time out. I just worry that he's had four tough races in Grade One company on the bounce and Gordon Elliott's horses have been very in-and-out throughout the spring.

Flame Bearer endured a rough race when winning at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and Kilcruit has flattered to deceive so far over hurdles. Taking everything into account, this looks like an excellent opportunity for STATE MAN to end his season with a maiden Grade One win.

Willie Mullins threw his novice into the County Hurdle on the back of a maiden win at Limerick. Paul Townend's mount was backed into 11/4 before the off and went on to secure a two-length victory with plenty left in the tank. I have no doubts about his stamina for this extended trip. State Man should take plenty of beating.

Willie Mullins hasn't had everything his own way in the bumpers so far this week, but it's hard to look beyond Patrick's mount, DON CHALANT in Friday's curtain closer.

After finishing third in a bumper at Tipperary last March, Don Chalant bumped into a decent rival in Joyeux Machin at Navan on his reappearance in January. Patrick had to settle for second again on heavy ground last time out, where Don Chalant could never really find a clear path to the post. Stablemate O'Moore Park could be a player if he settles, but on all known form under rules, Don Chalant is the one to beat.

Read our full guide to the 2022 Punchestown Champion Hurdle to find out who we're backing in the main event on day four.

If you plan on watching any of Friday's races via a mobile device, then check out our Punchestown Champion Hurdle Live Stream page.

Willie Mullins saddles the top two in the market here, with Fighter Allen and Blue Sari likely to attract further support. Ireland's Champion Trainer will also run EL BARRA, who'll be partnered by leading claimer Jack Foley.

After winning over hurdles at Fairyhouse and here at Punchestown last spring, El Barra finished behind stablemates Blue Lord and Saint Sam on his first couple of chase starts. Foley's mount secured an impressive ten-length win at Limerick in March, before accompanying Galopin Des Champs in the Turners' Novices' Chase at Cheltenham four days later.

El Barra was the last of the three finishers that day, but the vets found blood in his nasal passage following that run. Mullins has had a month to freshen his eight-year-old up and El Barra could be well-treated as he makes his handicap debut off a mark of just 140.

Elimay snatched a narrow victory in the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham when last seen, and she'll carry an odds-on price into this Grade Two. Yet, there was only half-a-length between Elimay and SCARLET AND DOVE at Cheltenham, where Joseph O'Brien's mare was giving the winner three pounds, so off level weights, I think there's value to be found backing Bryan Cooper's mount against the favourite.

Scarlet And Dove may have failed to win so far this season, but she's been extremely competitive in many of the best mares' contests in Ireland and England. O'Brien's eight-year-old has won several times going right-handed and was only beaten a neck in the Mares' Handicap Chase at this meeting 12 months ago. If she was to beat Elimay, it wouldn't be a surprise.