Punchestown Festival Day 1 Tips (2025)

William Hill racing writer Steve Mullington previews the first day of this year’s Punchestown Festival, which takes place on Tuesday 29th April 2025.

14:30 – Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase

The traditional curtain raiser to the Punchestown Festival is the Ladies Perpetual Cup for the hunter chasers, and a big run can be expected from the Denis Paul Murphy-trained FRALIMONTI BILBERY.

Owned by Murphy’s mother, the seven-year-old has been seen to good effect around the Wexford area point-to-point scene, and should run yet another solid race.

Dangers include course and distance scorer Knockiel Synge and fellow veteran Cloudy Tuesday.

15:05 – Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final

British raider BLUE HOP has been in the form of his life this season and can continue success in this 2m3½f handicap hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore gets the leg up on the Brookhouse-trained eight-year-old, which is almost a tip in itself.

Others to watch out for are top-weight Timmy Tuesday and Crazierthandaisy, whose form ties in with Blue Hop.

15:40 – Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

The 2024 Fred Winter winner LARK IN THE MORNIN hasn’t hit those heights since, but you feel that all hell could break loose in this Listed Hurdle.

Danny Mullins rides the Joseph O’Brien-trained five-year-old, and punters are of the view that this is great opportunity for the gelding to resume winning ways.

16:15 – KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Let’s keep it short and sweet. KOPEK DES BORDES, the 4-9 favourite in the horse racing betting, won the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in March and will win at this Festival also. Salvator Mundi can chase him home.

16:50 – Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

BALLYBURN can return to winning ways in this 3m1f Grade 1 affair. After a slightly lacklustre showing in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, the seven-year-old can bounce back to form on home turf.

Forecast punters may want to side with the Manifesto victor Impaire Et Passe.

17:25 – Goffs Defender Bumper

The double green colours of Munir and Souede are well represented in this bumper, but it is GREEN STYLE who makes the most appeal on paper.

When Green Style crossed the line to record a three-length winning debut at Oldcastle, Ross Crawford knew that he and his brother Stuart had a live runner to go the Punchestown Festival with.

Green Hint, a son of Crystal Ocean, made a winning debut at Daramona House in mid-March and can give his stablemate the most to do.

18:00 – William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1)

One of the main highlights of day one is the William Hill Champion Chase at tea-time, and this race looks a tight affair between Marine Nationale and FACT TO FILE, with the latter just getting the nod.

Fact to File was sublime in the Ryanair Chase, as was Marine Nationale in the Queen Mother, but the 172 rating of the Mullins-trained horse just sways the decision for me.

18:35 – Willie Coonan Memorial Flat Race

BUDDY HOLLY can prove to be music to the ears of owner’s Mrs Paul Shanahan and Mrs John Magnier in the concluding memorial bumper on day one of the Festival.

The Walk In  The Park-gelding is from a nice breeding line, and won’t be over-bet like some of the other runners competing from big stables.

Noel Meade’s Dorie Miller is one to keep an eye on in our sports betting too.