Tharawaat faces tough test from King Of Queens

PUNCHESTOWN PREVIEW:THE START of today's Grade Three feature at Punchestown might almost be as important as the finish for King Of Queens but if he gets that right then the Tom Mullins-trained horse can emerge victorious.

All seven original entries for the Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle currently stand after this meeting's 48-hour postponement due to frost problems.

Tharawaat, already a winner at this grade, tops the weights and will try to confirm placings with King Of Queens from Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day when both were placed behind Lethal Weapon.

It was remarkable, however, how King Of Queens managed to get as close as he did that day considering how hard he pulled in the early stages.

A repeat of those antics won't do King Of Queens any favours but a strong pace will suit and he is 7lb better off with Tharawaat. The Mullins team are also sure to have worked on settling their charge since Christmas.

Ebadiyan was a wide-margin winner at Naas nine days ago and could be one to cut out a decent pace. If he does it will also help King Of Queens' chance.

Zaarito is currently a 20 to 1 shot for the Supreme at Cheltenham but an impressive display in today's maiden hurdle could see the bookmakers react in slash-mode.

Colm Murphy believes he may have been too easy on Zaarito on the run up to his jumping debut at Navan where he failed by a short head to beat Oscar Looby.

The good news was that Zaarito's jumping held up well and with that run under his belt he should add to his three bumper wins of last season.

Perce Rock won a conditions hurdle at Limerick during the Christmas festival and the Tommy Stack team look to have found another suitable opportunity for last season's good novice chaser in the opener.

Rare Bob has some top novice chase form this season, including when beating Trafford Lad by a short head here only to be thrown out by the stewards. At that level of performance the Beginners Chase looks well within his capabilities.