THIS week’s big-race wins at Fairyhouse by four British-trained horses shows that more raiders should take up the challenge at this month’s Punchestown Festival. That is the message being spread at Newbury today by the Punchestown team.

British trainers should also consider that Willie Mullins’ attempt to win the British trainers’ title could weaken the champion’s Punchestown team. There is €2.6 million to be won at Punchestown this year, up 32% since 2012.

Punchstown’s Richie Galway said: “Our Grade 1 races close next Wednesday and we have been calling lots of British trainers this week to remind them. The feedback has been good and we’re in Newbury on Saturday.

“It was great to see Kerry Lee, Dan Skelton and Kim Bailey have winners at Fairyhouse. That has been noticed and all the usual suspects, including Nicky Henderson and Philip Hobbs, are sending teams to Punchestown. So is Warren Greatrex and of course Colin Tizzard is bringing Cue Card. We could have a Gold Cup rematch with Don Cossack.”

The ground at Punchestown is yielding to soft and an unsettled forecast should ensure that conditions remain ideal for top-class National Hunt racing. “We’re very happy trackwise,” said Galway. “Grass growth has been slow but temperatures are due to rise next week and there’s another 20ml of rain forecast in the coming days.”

Kerry Lee confirmed yesterday that both her Fairyhouse winners, if still in good form, would return for Punchestown. “Kylemore Lough will drop down to two miles for the Ryanair Novice Chase and Top Gamble will step up massively in class for the BoyleSports Champion Chase.”

Asked by The Irish Field yesterday why more British trainers did not target Irish races, Lee said: “I can only speak for myself but I think you need graded horses to travel. Going handicapping in Ireland is not for the faint-hearted. Also, some owners are less keen on their horses racing abroad.”

Looking back at last weekend’s Easter Festival, Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe said: “By and large it went very well. The weather was kind to us and results were good. Our total attendance was down just 1% which is good considering the 1916 celebrations elsewhere. Our groundstaff deserve great praise and overall there were very few negatives from the entire weekend. The only downside is that next year Easter comes just a week before Punchestown.”

FAIRYHOUSE EASTER FESTIVAL STATISTICS