Punchestown is Ireland’s premier jump racing track, home to the famous Punchestown Festival, which is seen as the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham Festival.
Located 30km from Dublin, the course hosts several meetings throughout the year, but the two highlights are the Festival in the Spring and their Winter Festival, which sees two Grade 1 races - the Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Memorial Chase.
Aside from the chase course and the hurdle course, Punchestown has the only cross-country banks course in Ireland.
Punchestown Tips for Today
Punchestown hosts an excellent seven-race card on Wednesday, and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Red Glory in the opening race at 1:45pm could offer some betting value.
He was sent off at 4/1 on hurdles debut last May but finished unplaced, running far too keen and showing some exuberant jumping, but returned with a creditable 6th place finish last time out at Fairyhouse.
The 3rd and 7th placed horses that day have both won since, and in a race that seems to lack much quality, it’s hoped that Red Glory and Rachael Blackmore can run a big race at double-figure odds.
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Below, we’ve highlighted two important factors to consider when selecting your Punchestown bets.
Up with the Pace
The hurdles track at Punchestown is undulating and is sharper than most people think with tight bends - being on a horse that’s up with the pace is preferable to a hold-up horse.
Front runners offer value
Punchestown is a track where front runners have an excellent strike rate, so look for horses that may be allowed a soft lead, particularly in large-runner fields.
Top Punchestown Jockeys
Paul Townend is the man to follow at Punchestown over fences and hurdles - he’s operating at a 46% strike rate since 2021.
While Patrick Mullins is the go-to man in bumpers, particularly for his father, Willie.
Top Punchestown Trainers
As you would expect, Willie Mullins-trained horses are always to be feared at Punchestown, and he boasts a 24% strike rate over the last three years.
It’s also worth watching for Martin Brassil-trained runners over fences, while Henry de Bromhead has a 44% strike rate with his bumper runners in recent times.
Punchestown Free Bets & Betting Offers
The horse racing action at Punchestown is typically high quality, so there’s no shortage of betting offers when there is racing at the Irish track, particularly during the Punchestown Festival.
As you would expect, Irish-based bookmakers lead the way when offering Punchestown enhanced odds with Paddy Power a popular choice with punters, thanks partly to their generous new customer bonus.
Virgin Bet also attracts plenty of attention with its horse racing promotions and excellent live-streaming service available on all Irish horse racing.
Punchestown Racecourse Layout & Info
Punchestown Racecourse is located in County Kildare, a short distance from Dublin.
It’s a right-handed undulating course that steadily climbs in the last five furlongs. Eleven fences provide a fair jumping test for jumpers, and they are not too tough compared to UK standards, so sound jumpers Should have no issue putting in a clear round.
Punchestown Top Featured Races
As Ireland’s premier national hunt course, Punchestown hosts 14 Grade 1 races throughout the year, with 12 taking place during the famous Punchestown Festival in April.
| Race | Grade | Distance | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Novice Chase | Grade 1 | 3 miles 1 furlong | Chase | April |
| Champion Chase | Grade 1 | 2 miles | Chase | April |
| Champion Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles | Hurdle | April |
| Punchestown Gold Cup | Grade 1 | 3 miles 1 furlong | Chase | April |
| Champion INH Flat Race | Grade 1 | 2 miles | INH Flat Race | April |
| Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 3 miles | Hurdle | April |
| Champion Stayers’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 3 miles | Hurdle | April |
| Ryanair Novice Chase | Grade 1 | 2 miles | Chase | April |
| Punchestown Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles | Hurdle | April |
| Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles 4 furlongs | Hurdle | April |
| Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles 2 furlongs | Hurdle | April |
| Mares’ Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles 2 furlongs | Hurdle | May |
| Morgiana Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2 miles | Hurdle | November |
| John Durkan Memorial Chase | Grade 1 | 2 miles 4 furlongs | Chase | November |
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