Entries for the dozen Grade 1 races at the Punchestown Festival (Tuesday, April 29th to Saturday, May 3rd) were released today, offering patrons with the prospect of a sizzling menu of only the most delectable dishes.
The very best jumps horses, trainers and jockeys around have the famed Kildare venue on their sat navs, with in excess of €3.5m in prize money up for grabs throughout the week. Many Cheltenham champions will be aiming for a famous Punchestown double, some of the vanquished will be seeking revenge and a handful of newcomers will hope to make their own cases for stardom.
The staggering Willie Mullins remains the standard-bearer but he can expect strong challenges, not just from Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell and Henry de Bromhead but also the likes of Barry Connell and Jimmy Mangan, who have genuine Grade 1 aspirations and perhaps expectations.
The cross-channel involvement is a key element of a thriving Punchestown Festival and regular visitors, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Jeremy Scott are among those with a big red circle around the week on their diaries.
Boodles Champion Hurdle
(Friday, May 3rd – 14 entries)
The last three Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winners are being aimed at the Friday feature: current titleholder Golden Ace, her predecessor State Man and the 2023 victor, Constitution Hill.
State Man, trained by Willie Mullins, would be attempting a three-in-a-row last achieved by another former Closutton inmate, the legendary Hurricane Fly in 2012. The Fly went on to make it four in 2013. State Man fell at the last when seeming certain to retain his crown at Cheltenham in March.
Also entered are State Man’s stablemate, the Aintree Hurdle and Cheltenham Mares’ Hurdle victor Lossiemouth, and the Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead, the 30-length winner of the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas, when State Man failed to fire. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned mare would be on a recovery mission having run well below par when fourth at Cheltenham last month.
Constitution Hill’s trainer, Nicky Henderson, reports Michael Buckley’s gelding to be showing no ill effects from his fall in the Aintree Hurdle, which came hot on the heels of also coming a cropper in Cheltenham. A first visit to Punchestown is very much on the cards.
“It is our intention to come to Punchestown,” says Henderson, who is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure at the festival. “It was my original plan after Cheltenham and then, he was so well, I couldn’t say no to Aintree. Thankfully, I think he’s come out of that very well and we’ve got four weeks to Punchestown. It was only three weeks from Cheltenham to Aintree.
“And don’t forget, in neither race (at Cheltenham nor Aintree) has he actually had a race. He is very fresh at the moment. He’s as fresh as paint here. He’s in terrific shape.
“It’s a long way to go and I can’t tell you anything else at the moment but we think he’s in good nick and all being well, we will be in Punchestown. We are looking forward to going.
“It’s meant to be a great clash of two great horses – State Man and Constitution Hill – and they deserve to have a head-to-head. And we may have more if Lossiemouth, Golden Ace and Brighterdaysahead are there.
“I think everyone has been talking about State Man and Constitution Hill and want to find out what happens if they turn into the straight together. Wow! That’s what it’s all about. It would be fantastic. Everybody deserves it and we would love to have that in Punchestown.”
What can be certain is that should Constitution Hill prevail, he would receive a champion’s ovation, just as Sprinter Sacre received when defeating home favourite Sizing Europe in the William Hill Champion Chase in 2013.
It was a day that rubber-stamped the Seven Barrows maestro’s love affair with Punchestown and Ireland.
“The day we brought Sprinter over will be in my memory forever because of the reception that the Punchestown and Irish crowd gave him. And I mean that. He was a French-bred horse, trained in England and the reception was incredible, before and after the race. And it meant a lot to me.”
Golden Ace was the chief beneficiary at Cheltenham after the falls of Constitution Hill and State Man. Trainer Jeremy Scott admits that fortune shone on the talented mare owned by Ian Gosden and is looking forward to her getting perhaps more credit by performing well in a stacked field in the Boodles Champion Hurdle.
“She came out of Cheltenham very, very well,” Scott reveals. “I’m really happy with her and am looking forward to coming over. We have never managed to have a winner at Punchestown – we’ve had several seconds – and we love the whole experience. It’s really good fun.
“We were probably a very lucky winner of the Champion Hurdle, so in terms of pressure, I’m not sure we’re feeling a huge amount because we achieved more than we were expecting to this season anyway. So this Punchestown trip is a bonus, if she runs well, and I hope she will.
“Also, it took away from the win a bit the fact that Constitution Hill and State Man both fell. If we’d finished an honourable second to State Man, you’d have nearly felt better in many ways. I loved winning the race, of course, but I’m not sure we proved anything. So it would be nice to come out and prove that maybe, it wasn’t entirely luck.
“To be involved in a race of this nature, if everyone turns up, is a pleasure. That’s why we all train horses, isn’t it? Because we want to be able to compete at that level. I think that division is particularly strong at the moment as well, so it’s nice to be part of it.”
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup
(Wednesday, May 30th – 11 entries)
Galopin Des Champs will be attempting to win the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup for the first time and after going out on his shield when denied an historic third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph on the trot, faces the prospect of renewing battle with the horses immediately in his wake, the Mouse Morris-trained Gentlemansgame and Monty’s Star, from the Henry de Bromhead yard.
It was Inothewayurthinkin that foiled Galopin Des Champs’ bid for glory and trainer Gavin Cromwell has revealed that the JP McManus’ seven-year-old is bound for his holidays. The decision was taken after a conversation with the owner and his racing manager, Frank Berry.
“I had a good chat with JP and Frank and we decided he’s only a young horse and we thought it best that we’d just let him off for the year,” Cromwell details. “He’s done his job for us for the year and hopefully there’s plenty more to come from him and we just thought as a young horse, we’d look after him.”
McManus could be represented by Spillane’s Tower, however. Last year’s Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase winner sat out both Cheltenham and Aintree, though the latter ground-based call was made at the very last minute.
Trainer Jimmy Mangan is upbeat about stepping into the lion’s den around a course that clearly suits his stable star.
“He’s 100%,” says Mangan. “I was a small bit disappointed that we didn’t get to run in the Bowl. We were in the pre-parade ring and luckily Mark Walsh rode in the race previous and he hopped off and came over to Frank Berry and myself and said, ‘The ground is gone, Jimmy, withdraw the horse.’ He had travelled over well and everything was 100% and I was expecting a massive, big run out of him. But the horse is home, safe and sound, and getting ready to run in Punchestown.
“It was great to win at the festival last year and he won his beginners’ chase there as well, and a Grade 3 after that, so he loves Punchestown. It would be great to have a crack at the big one there this year and that’s certainly the aim.”
William Hill Champion Chase
(Tuesday, April 29th – 13 entries)
The winners of the last four Queen Mother Champion Chases have been given the option of running in the William Hill Champion Chase, which looks like getting the Punchestown Festival off to a stupendous start.
Energumene (2022, 2023), Captain Guinness (2024) and the new kingpin, Marine Nationale are all included in a mouth-watering list. And if that wasn’t enough to get the juices flowing, Willie Mullins has included easy Ryanair Chase victor, Fact To File for what would be an intriguing look at the minimum trip after scoring so readily over 2m5f last March.
Fact To File won the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown over the intermediate trip in November but Marine Nationale is undoubtedly the one they all have to beat after his stunning exhibition of jumping and closing speed at Cheltenham.
“He’s great, in super form,” declares owner/trainer Barry Connell. “He came out of the race brilliant. He didn’t have much of a blow after the race. I think he was the easiest winner of the whole week and he’s come out of the race in super shape.
“He hasn’t had an over-taxing season really. We’ve been building up to the spring festivals so we’re looking forward to him going to Punchestown. Hopefully we get the usual nice spring ground, which will suit him well.
“The big thing with him was that he came into the season basically still a novice, lacking a lot of experience, and he was being pitched in against battle-hardened chasers and it’s a difficult thing to do, particularly in the two-mile division, where jumping accuracy is so important.
“He kicked off low-key in Naas. That was a big stepping stone. His two runs at Leopardstown were really good. He jumped well and as he usually does when he goes to Cheltenham, he comes alive, loves the place. It was all building towards getting the experience and fitness and everything came together at Cheltenham.
“His jumping was exemplary and it took him into the race without any great effort. And then the usual thing he does, when he jumps the last at Cheltenham, he just takes off.
“We couldn’t be happier with him now looking forward to Punchestown, and whatever turns up, we’ll be happy to take them on.”
Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle
(Thursday, May 1st – 20 entries)
Robcour duo, Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, are on target to renew their rivalry in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle.
It was the former that prevailed as Teahupoo attempted to go back-to-back at Cheltenham last month, delivered with brilliant composure by Rachael Blackmore to score for trainer, Henry de Bromhead.
Once more, it is the gelding trained by Gordon Elliott trying to go for two-in-a-row and punters will be in for a treat if the pair are given the chance to duel at Punchestown.
Hiddenvalley Lake is another Robcour-owned horse conditioned at Knockeen Stables by de Bromhead and after scoring emphatically at Aintree on Saturday, is also among the 20 entries.
Home By The Lee never got racing in Liverpool, after being brought down lucklessly at Cheltenham, but the Joseph O’Brien-trained galloper is a dual Grade 1 winner, who has taken Bob Olinger’s scalp twice this season alone and he would be a major contender.
English-based Tipperary native, Fergal O’Brien could make the visit with Crambo, who fell in the Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle but like Home By The Lee, is a two-time Grade 1 winner. Nicky Henderson has entered Lucky Place.
Willie Mullins has six in the mix, with Coral Cup winner Jimmy Du Seuil among the more interesting ones. Declan Queally’s talented five-year-old Rocky’s Diamond, who was fourth in Cheltenham, could also play a part.
Ballymore Champion Four-year-old Hurlde
(Saturday, May 3rd – 19 entries)
Willie Mullins dominates the entries here, with a dozen possible participants, including Poniros, who won the Triumph Hurdle on his first public outing over obstacles at 100/1 under Jonjo O’Neill Jnr. Aintree victor, Murcia is also among the group.
Nicky Henderson has entered Lulamba, who was narrowly denied at Cheltenham, and Gavin Cromwell intends to run Hello Neighbour, a Grade 1 winner at the Dublin Racing Festival who ran with credit in Cheltenham before fading late on to be sixth, less than six lengths behind Poniros.
“He just didn’t work well enough for us in his last bit of work before Aintree, so that’s why he didn’t travel over there,” Cromwell explains. “He’s fine and has plenty of time to freshen up and presuming he comes good again, he’ll run.
“I suppose he had a hard race at Cheltenham and it was off the back of the Grade 2 win on his debut at Christmas and then the Dublin Racing Festival. We just said we’d give him a chance. It was a very quick turnaround this year from Cheltenham to Aintree and when you’re borderline on sending him, I’m glad we didn’t as that might have left a mark on him and we have Punchestown to look forward to now.”
Tuesday April 29th – Additional Grade 1 races
There are 21 entries for the KPMG CHampion Novice Hurdle with the first of Willie Mullins’ ten Cheltenham winners, Kopek Des Bordes top of the pile.
The Supreme Novices’ winner brought joy to owner Charlie McCarthy and his family and while they would love to double up, they face significant challenges from within their own camp, and outside it.
Stablemate Salvator Mundi delivered on his promise at Aintree, while Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead is much better than he showed at Cheltenham, where he raced very freely.
Fergal O’Brien could saddle Tripoli Flyer, while one has to take note when Colm Murphy pitches one in at this level, as may be the case with Lovely Hurling.
The Dooleys Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase has attracted 17 entries. Lecky Watson heads the Mullins team of nine, after his brilliant victory in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham, with stablemate Ballyburn likely to be given a chance to prove his disappointment was an aberration. Champ Kiely, Dancing City and Ile Atlantique are other possible Mullins contestants.
The Ken Budds-trained Anyway chased home Caldwell Potter in the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and that form was franked when the winner registered a very impressive Grade 1 triumph at Aintree. Anyway could be ready to go to another level, while the Gordon Elliott duo Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, and Henry de Bromhead’s duo, Slade Steel and Gorgeous Tom are others of note.
British trainer, Polly Gundry has entered Don’t Rightly Know while the Bowe family might be tempted to run impressive beginners’ chase winner Linden Arden, trained by Philip Fenton.
Gavin Cromwell could saddle Bioluminescence, a Grade 2 mares’ novice chase winner who ran a blinder behind Dancing City in Naas before chasing home Spindleberry at Fairyhouse in February.
“Bioluminescence is very ground-dependent,” warns Cromwell, however. “She’s entered in the Irish Grand National as well. She’s in great form and we’d love to be running her but while the ground isn’t as important at the three-mile trip, she loves soft ground.
“They always do a good job at Punchestown and I know they are watering. As far as I can tell too, after every dry spell comes a wet spell, so we’re a long way away yet and you wouldn’t know what might happen with the weather and we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Wednesday, April 30th – Additional Grade 1 races
There is a mammoth list of 32 horses considering theChannor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle for the staying novices. Albert Bartlett winner Jasmin De Vaux leads the Closutton contingent, though Final Demand is also a notable possibility after finishing third at the intermediate distance at Cheltenham.
The Gordon Elliott-trained The Yellow Clay was ahead of him on that occasion, when just nailed late on by The New Lion and the Cullentra House team could be considering stepping him up in trip on better ground. Stablemate Honesty Policy would be doing likewise if this is the preferred route in a bid for an Aintree-Punchestown double.
The Big Westerner put in a huge performance for the Mariga clan and Henry de Bromhead when pushing Jasmin De Vaux all the way at Cheltenham and would be among the prime contenders if facing the tape.
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill (Bill Joyce and Mister Meggit) and Jamie Snowden (Wendigo) are possible British raiders.
The Race & Stay At Punchestown INH Flat Race has attracted 22 entries, headed by Bambino Fever, who would be attempting the Cheltenham double for trainer Willie Mullins, who could also saddle Copacabana and Gameofinches, among many others.
Kalypso’chance and Jalon D’oudairies are possible runners for Gordon Elliott, while Shuttle Diplomacy, third at Prestbury Park behind Bambino Fever, would be a popular winner for Kerry trainer, Tom Cooper.
Seo Linn, who scored at Aintree under Group 1-winning flat pilot Billy Lee, would be a real danger from the Paddy Twomey yard were she to take her chance.
Thursday, May 1st - Additional Grade 1 race
There are 10 in the running in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.
Majborough fluffed his lines at Cheltenham with some terrible jumping errors on the way to be third in the Arkle Chase and may be given a shot at bouncing back, while another Willie Mullins-trained horse, Impaire Et Passe was very good when scoring in the Manifesto Chase at Aintree.
Jazzy Matty raised the roof at Cheltenham when giving young trainer Cian Collins a debut victory at the Cotswolds carnival and could well make his presence felt, while the giant Jeannot Lapin would certainly take the eye from the Gearóid O’Loughlin yard, having won his beginners’ chase at Leopardstown at 100/1.
Only By Night was steered towards the Arkle by Gavin Cromwell, when many thought she might head for the Mares’ Chase but the Danestown handler was justified in his decision when the seven-year-old was just reeled in by Jango Baie in the shadow of the post.
“I would love to have run her at Aintree,” Cromwell admits. “I tried everything to convince myself but the ground was just too quick for her. She’s in great form. She worked (Tuesday) morning and I’m very happy with her. She gave her all in the Arkle. She ran a cracker. It was a pity, she was just mugged, had her pocket picked.
“At the start of the season we thought two miles would be too sharp for her and even after her first run in Cork, I thought she was flat to the boards early. But she jumps so well and she’s probably after getting faster. That two-mile division, you have to be able to travel for sure, but jumping is huge and you have to be able to stay as well. All being well, she will go to Punchestown.”
Friday, May 2nd - Additional Grade 1 race
There are 34 entries for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. There are a number of double entries, including the aforementioned Jasmin De Vaux, Final Demand, The Yellow Clay and Honesty Policy, with the former most likely to stick to the three miles that have suited him so well, in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.
This may be the target for Final Demand, The Yellow Clay and Honesty Policy, however, which is an extremely enticing prospect for racegoers.
Saturday, May 3rd - Additional Grade 1 race
Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead are among the 10 entrants in the SBK Irish EBF Mares' Champion Hurdle. The vaunted duo are also possible runners in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the start of the week but would add real A-list glamour to Saturday’s card were they to cross swords on the concluding day of the Punchestown Festival.
Lossiemouth’s stablemate Kargese illustrated her talent in the County Hurdle, while Henry de Bromhead’s pair, Lantry Lady and July Flower are very talented performers capable of making a bold bid.