); Mullins had his 15th championship in the bag before Punchestown but it didn’t stop him dominating
Donn McClean takes a look back at the 2021 Punchestown Festival and Willie Mullins’ 19-winner haul. By Donn McClean Tuesday 4 May 2021, 7:00 AM 3 hours ago 1,575 Views 1 Comment
GOING INTO THE Punchestown Festival in 2018, one week to go in the 2017/18 Irish National Hunt season, and Willie Mullins trailed Gordon Elliott by over €500,000 in the trainers’ championship.
You knew that Willie Mullins would be strong at Punchestown but, even so, it was a fair gap, and the bookmakers made Gordon Elliott favourite to claim his first title.
Punchestown Saturday preview: Donn McClean tips
By Donn McClean
Punchestown Friday best bets:
5.05 Drop The Anchor
The Willie Mullins thread that usually runs through Punchestown week is running as deeply as ever this year so far, and it could go even deeper today, on the final day of the week, the final day of the Irish National Hunt season.
In Concertista, Stormy Ireland and Burning Victory, the champion trainer fields the first three favourites for the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, with My Sister Sarah in there as back-up, while in the other Grade 1 race on the day, the Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle, Haut En Couleurs is vying for favouritism with Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios. The record of 18 that was posted at the 2018 Festival is in danger.
Mullins team still Galopin to victory at Punchestown
Galopin Des Champs pictured with Paul Townend as he runs away from his rivals to land the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle on Day 2 of the Punchestown Festival
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Willie Mullins extended his dominance at the 2021 Punchestown Festival as Galopin Des Champs completed a Cheltenham/Punchestown double when landing the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle.
Ireland’s champion trainer maintained his clean sweep of the Grade 1 races thus far this week as the five-year-old, who carries the colours of Audrey Turley, cruised through the field under Paul Townend to return home in isolation, recording a 12-length success over Gentlemansgame.
Punchestown Wednesday preview: Donn McClean tips
By Donn McClean
17:52 · WED April 28, 2021
Our man hit the bookies with his Colreevy tip on day one of the Punchestown Festival and he has two selections for the day two card.
Punchestown Wednesday best bets:
TELMESOMETHINGGIRL - 5.20 Punchestown
Minella Indo will be missed for sure from this afternoon’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup – you’re always going to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner – but it’s still a star-studded line-up. The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner of 2019 and 2020, the King George winner of 2019 and Betway Bowl winner of 2021, the Punchestown Gold Cup winner of 2019 and Irish Gold Cup winner of 2021, the Melling Chase winner of 2021.
1 of 1 7:00AM, APR 28 2021
RTE2 will be broadcasting six live races from the Punchestown festival on Wednesday. The quality action on day two features more high-class names, notably Al Boum Photo, Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy in the Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55), and we ve got you covered for the day s action.
Punchestown festival Wednesday: day two TV tips
Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for day two of the Punchestown festival
Connolly s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final, 2m4½f
In a field full of exposed types Heather Rocco stands out as one with plenty more improvement yet to be tapped into. The six-year-old has won two of her three starts under rules, skating up by 16 lengths at Limerick last time. Feelgood Island and Born Patriot are next best, while Stranger Danger could go well at a price.