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.
Punchestown Tuesday preview: Donn McClean tips
By Donn McClean
10:53 · TUE April 27, 2021
Our man thinks Colreevy is overpriced at Punchestown today and he has a 12/1 fancy for the big handicap hurdle on the card.
Punchestown Tuesday best bets:
Best in handicaps: Champagne Gold (4.50)
And so begins a Punchestown Festival like no other, the culmination of a season that has no precedent. There hasn’t been one since 2019, when Monkfish was beaten in a bumper and Ruby Walsh retired, and we have missed it.
There will be sub-plots this week for sure, like the jockeys’ championship sub-plot. Paul Townend, returned from injury, four clear of Rachael Blackmore, 95-91, with five fantastic racing days left. And the amateurs’ title on the line, Patrick Mullins 45, Jamie Codd 45, each of them with three rides today and three rides tomorrow in a battle that could run to Saturday evening.
Donn McClean on the British and Irish jumps scene ahead of the 2021 Punchestown Festival
By Donn McClean
14:29 · SUN April 25, 2021
Donn McClean reflects on the current National Hunt scene in Ireland and Britain ahead of the five-day Punchestown Festival.
Henry de Bromhead’s stable stars paraded at Tramore last Sunday: Honeysuckle, Put The Kettle On, Minella Indo, Minella Times, Balko Des Flos. The Champion Hurdle winner, the Champion Chase winner, the Gold Cup winner, the Grand National winner, the Grand National runner-up.
It is not so long ago that, if Irish trainers as a collective had had that haul, it would have been quite incredible. For one trainer, it was unprecedented.
UPDATED 2:36PM, APR 25 2021
Irish champion jockey Paul Townend will make a timely return to the saddle on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival after being booked to ride in each of Tuesday s three Grade 1s, providing a huge boost for the Willie Mullins team ahead of the biggest week in Irish jump racing.
Townend has been sidelined since injuring his foot after falling from Egality Mans at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, an injury which forced him to miss the Grand National meeting at Aintree, but he has been declared fit to ride at the five-day extravaganza.
The 30-year-old’s return comes at the perfect time as he is coming under increasing pressure from Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore in the race to be Ireland’s leading jockey this season.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge aiming to supplement Gold Cup heroics. By Press Association Thursday 22 Apr 2021, 3:20 PM 4 hours ago 1,391 Views 0 Comments
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP hero Minella Indo will face a maximum of 10 rivals when he bids to follow up at Punchestown on Wednesday.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge led home stablemate A Plus Tard to win the blue riband at Prestbury Park last month under Jack Kennedy, who will once again be on board in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup next week.
The eight-year-old is set to renew rivalry with the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Al Boum Photo and Kemboy.