Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Punchestown Wednesday preview

William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell previews his runners for the second day of the 2025 Punchestown Festival.

Bet on Horse Racing at William Hill

Wednesday, Punchestown

Our first runner at Punchestown on Wednesday is Ballysax Hank in the 2m3½f Handicap Hurdle (2.30pm). He’s been running in novice chases recently but we’ve switched him back to hurdles here as we thought this race might suit him. They should go fast enough which will help him and hopefully his mark of 116 over hurdles is a winnable one.

Next is the 2m3½f Hurdle (3.05pm), which is a conditions race rather than a handicap. We won this race last year and it’s a nice pot, so hopefully our two runners can go well. Millforce will have to carry top-weight and it could just be on the sharp side for him. There is plenty of pace and we’ve got the cheekpieces on him, so hopefully he can stay on well and finish strong.

Champagne Jury’s form behind Honesty Policy has taken a big boost, the only concern here might be the ground as we’d love it to be softer for him. He is going to be a proper staying chaser in the future and this could just be on the sharp side for him. He’s in good form though, he’s had a break and he’s fresh and well for the race.

We also have two runners in the 2m4½f Handicap Chase (6.05pm). Towards the top of the weights is Visionarian and I do think he’s high enough in the handicap. He’s getting older and has been out of form recently, but he’s working away fine at home. He’ll love the nicer ground and with the sun on his back that might bring about a bit of improvement.

The King Of Prs ran a good race at Aintree and I just don’t think he was well-handicapped to win there. He’s staying over the 2m4½f trip here which I think suits him on better ground. He seems in great form so I can see him running well.

Get all the latest Horse Racing news at William Hill