Connections of Nicky Henderson's talented performer Punchestowns should have a better idea of which Cheltenham Festival race is most likely to suit their charge after he contests the ultra-competitive Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday afternoon, writes Elliot Slater.
With likely opposition set to include current RSA Chase favourite Time For Rupert, Tidal Bay, an excellent runner-up to Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time out, Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Little Josh, and the Paul Nicholls pair of Neptune Collonges and last year's winner of the race Taranis, Punchestowns should be given a seriously good workout, the result of which will determine whether he will go for the Ryanair Chase, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, or revert back to timber for another crack at Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, in which he was a runner up in 2009. Anyone looking to place Cheltenham 2011 bets should wait and see how he does before committing their money.
Henderson has always had a high regard for the eight-year-old who last season won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown Park before performing slightly below expectations when only fifth to Weapons Amnesty in the RSA Chase. Punchestowns has had just the one outing so far this term when running in a pea souper of a fog at Newbury's late-December fixture, where he appeared from out of the gloom duelling with the talented Pride of Dulcote, before eventually going under by just a head. The Cheltenham 2011 betting predictions suggest he will make an impact, although it remains to see which race that will be in.
It's hard to know if that was a below-par run or not (he was sent off the 4/11 favourite), as the winner is a very capable performer at his best, but Saturday's race should answer most questions in the mind of the gelding's owner and trainer and determine in which race Punchestowns is most likely to compete back at Cheltenham in the middle of March.
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