THE National Hunt season comes to a climax next week when the five-day Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday.

Everyone loves a day or two at Punchestown, a meeting famed for top-class jumps racing in a relaxed environment, where serious and social racegoers are equally at home.

There are three Grade 1 races on Tuesday and the entries are as good as you would expect. Cheltenham winners Slade Steel and Absurde look likely starters in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle, while Aintree heroes Mystical Power and Brighterdaysahead are other eye-catching entries in this two-mile event. Ballyburn, undoubtedly the outstanding novice of the season, is entered here too but most observers expect him to be aimed at a longer race later in the week.

Captain Guinness would be a popular winner of the William Hill Champion Chase though it remains to be seen if he, El Fabiolo and Jonbon run here or in Sandown this weekend. In their absence Cheltenham runner-up Dinoblue looks to have a leading chance.

On ratings, the J.P. McManus-owned pair of Corbetts Cross and Inothewayurthinkin stand out in the three-mile Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase. Both ran at Cheltenham and Aintree, however, so perhaps Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles could surprise them if he can continue his progression away from his beloved Fairyhouse.

The first of three Grade 1s on Wednesday is the Channor Group Novice Hurdle over three miles and it looks an open race. Willie Mullins’ potential runners include Aintree winners Dancing City and Quai De Bourbon, along with the progressive Olympic Man, while Gordon Elliott could run his Cheltenham winners Stellar Story and Better Days Ahead.

Galopin Des Champs is the star attraction in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, a race in which he lost out last year to Fastorslow, who is expected to reoppose. Nicky Henderson plans to run Shishkin and Lucinda Russell may send over Corach Rambler. Could there be an upset on the cards?

The Grade 1 Race & Stay at Punchestown INH Flat Race is a race to savour. It gave us the ‘dream’ result last year when A Dream To Share completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown double.

That’s what the Willie Mullins-trained Jasmin De Vaux will be attempting to do but there are a host of potential dangers, not least the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Romeo Coolio and Jalon D’Oudairies, second and third respectively at Cheltenham and considered a bit unlucky by some.

Then there’s the unexposed pair - both trained by Emmet Mullins - of Backmersackme and Harbour Highway, Tom Cooper’s Shuttle Diplomacy, half a dozen recent winners from the Willie Mullins yard who could be anything, and don’t forget the undefeated William Munny, described by owner-trainer Barry Connell as “the best bumper horse in Ireland”. Bring it on!

We rock on to Thursday when Gaelic Warrior will be expected to steamroll his way to success in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over two miles. The Arkle winner looks a reformed character and he loves this track but there’s always that little doubt in your mind with this incredibly talented horse.

Connections of Teahupoo will be hoping the ground doesn’t dry out too much ahead of the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle. The Cheltenham winner started joint-favourite for this race last year but only managed fourth behind Klassical Dream, Asterion Forlonge and Sire Du Berlais. The two last-named will probably take him on again on Thursday, along with Home By The Lee, Noble Yeats and Sir Gerhard.

Friday’s feature is the Boodles Champion Hurdle, which should be easy pickings for Cheltenham winner State Man, although Cheltenham runner-up Irish Point is there again to keep him honest.

Ballyburn surely cannot be beaten in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles, but what a race we could have if Gordon Elliott decided to run Brighterdaysahead here. In receipt of 7lb from Ballyburn, the mare would have plenty of supporters.

It’s more likely that Brighterdaysahead will wait until the final day of the meeting to take on Lossiemouth in the Coolmore Irish EBF Mares’ Champion Hurdle. That would be a bigger draw than the 2000 Guineas for many racing fans!

An hour later we hope to see Nicky Henderson’s Aintree winner Sir Gino take on Ireland’s best juveniles in the Ballymore Champion 4YO Hurdle. Kargese (Willie Mullins) and Bottler’secret (Gavin Cromwell) should go well but Sir Gino looks every bit as good as Henderson’s previous four winners of the race - Katarino, Punjabi, Grandouet and Fusil Raffles.

PUNCHESTOWN has made four strategic changes ahead of next week’s Festival, based on customer feedback and market research. The changes are:

1. Earlier start times

The first two days of the Festival will revert to a 2.30pm start (previously 3.40pm). Market research shows that around 70% of paying clients would ‘definitely or most probably’ like to see some of the Festival days start and finish earlier. This is especially relevant to those who travel a distance to attend the festival. The first two days tend to be greatly supported by hardcore racing fans with the more social element attending later in the week.

2. Ticket products and pricing

Whether it’s a business or a household, value for money is a particularly hot topic. Following a full review of ticket pricing and products, advance ticket prices (if bought by 10pm the day before) have been reduced to €30 for the first three days and €40 for Friday and Saturday. There will be an additional €5 charge per ticket for on-the-day purchases, excluding senior, student and family day concession tickets that can only be purchased on the day. These prices compare very favourably to other premium sporting events.

As always, group discounts apply. For larger groups it is recommended that they contact the racecourse office directly in advance. The original ‘flexi ticket’ has been replaced by the ‘Choice’ ticket which can be used Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday.

Senior, student and family ticket concessions continue to be offered on a walk-up basis. All children under 14 years of age race for free all season.

3. Refreshed festival layout

The Festival layout has been refreshed and this has seen the removal of the traditional reserved enclosure divide and the introduction of exciting new features around the parade ring enclosure. The famous Sky Bar, Bollinger Garden, shopping and entertainment areas will remain as popular as ever with the southern enclosure accessible to all. The objective is to optimise the scope of the enclosures, utilise all available facilities which, in turn, will improve footfall, flow and reduce potential pressure points.

4. Enhance & improve raceday experience

This point is neither new nor dynamic as the pursuit of excellent customer experience is an ongoing process. The enhancement of the raceday visit will go hand-in-hand with the new layout. The Punchestown demographic is a diverse one with varied tastes and requirements for a memorable customer experience. Alongside the track’s catering and service partners, Punchestown aims to deliver a selection of great quality food and beverage options with efficient, friendly service in comfortable surroundings.

Whilst costs have increased across the board for product and services, every effort has been made to minimise the impact on the customer.

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO, commented: “We say it time and time again that people make Punchestown, so it is those very people who have shaped and informed this plan and it is this plan that will help us deliver the best possible Punchestown experience we can to our customers who are the backbone of our business.

“If it doesn’t work for our clients, customers and stakeholders it ultimately won’t work for Punchestown, so I hope we’ve got the balance right as we look ahead to welcoming friends old and new next week.”

Web: punchestown.com

RACEHORSE owners are at the forefront of the Punchestown Festival planning process. Every effort is made to produce a top class racing surface for their horses and the extensive sponsorship portfolio secures over €3.5 million in prize money.

Punchestown appreciates that the big days out at festivals are a highlight of the ownership experience so – win, lose or draw – they make every effort to offer a premium owner experience at Punchestown.

All active owners should have received an invitation to avail of two complimentary tickets for the opening day of the Punchestown Festival. This was communicated by email via HRI ownership and the offer is now closed.

The Goffs Owners and Trainers Lounge returns in the Hunt Stand. Considered one of the best seats in the house the Goffs Lounge overlooks the final furlong with a delicious buffet lunch available for four people per owner. Full details are in the declaration email from HRI.

A new and additional Owners & Trainers Marquee Bar will be available in the southern enclosure. Placed connections will be brought to this venue post-race to enjoy a replay of the race and complimentary glass of bubbles.

This year The K Club is sponsoring a leading owner award at the Festival, as well as the usual leading trainer and rider awards. To celebrate 200 years of the Kildare Hunt Races, Punchestown has introduced the KHR200 Leading Owner Cup. Next week’s leading owner will be presented with the cup on the opening day of the 2025 Festival.

The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners will unveil a new champion owner honours board in the ground floor of the main grandstand, and owners will also receive enhanced recognition in the racecard and across live footage throughout the week.

NEW to the Festival schedule of races this year is the €80,000 blood-stock.com Full Circle Series Final on Tuesday. This series was introduced to offer an opportunity for horses that may be below top level to compete for a big prize pot on the big stage.

Another motive behind the introduction of this series was to attract more British-trained runners to the Festival.

Five qualifiers were held throughout Britain this season - from Kelso to Wincanton – with five further qualifiers held across Ireland. A total of 58 horses have qualified for 56 individual owners and 44 trainers, of which 21 are British-based.

THE Punchestown Festival is a celebration and party. Like all great parties there will be live music, great food, buzzing bars and mighty craic. Bring your dancing shoes!

The following bands will perform in the Sky Bar immediately after the last race.

Tuesday & Wednesday: Spring Break:

Europe’s ultimate 80s supergroup

Thursday: The Pearly Whites: Deadly vocals, explosive brass and thumping rhythm section

Friday: The Mixtape: Your night. Your favourite tunes. Bangers.

Saturday: Created By Comets: Funky Comets

Tommy Sax will greet racegoers from the new Mezz Bar in the main enclosure.

THE Bollinger Best Dressed Competition takes place over the first four days of the Festival. Judges and style scouts will be tasked with seeking out a number of finalists each day. The daily winners will then progress to the final on Ladies Day, Festival Friday.

The overall winner and guest will enjoy an appropriately stylish and exclusive ‘money cannot buy’ trip to the famous Champagne Bollinger Estate with luxury overnight stays in Paris and Reims to include Michelin dining and private transfers. Truly a trip of a lifetime and something worth dressing up for.

Jessica O’Mahony, wife of rugby international Peter, has joined the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council for the week.

Despite being a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 on Instagram thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between.

She joins the established and diverse Style Council led by head judge, stylist and influencer Jess Colivet and ably assisted by returning names including beauty entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill of AYU, David O’Connor from Louis Copeland, stylist Lawson Mpame, sustainable fashion stylist Roxanne Parker, former winner Katie Nally-McCormack and MC Marietta Doran.

Travelling especially from France to enjoy her first Punchestown Festival experience is Champagne Bollinger brand ambassador Eva Gottesman. The best place to keep up to date with Bollinger Best Dressed information is via the Punchestown Instagram page.