William Hill racing writer Steve Mullington previews the second day of this year’s Punchestown Festival, which takes place on Wednesday 30th April 2025.
14:30 – Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle
Twenty-five runners go to post for the Wednesday opener, and in such a big field the each-way nod goes to the Stuart Crawford-trained SMOOTH SCOTCH.
A faller when going well in this a year ago, the eight-year-old has been running well without winning this term, and his run behind Butcher Hollow last time was pretty decent.
Others with live chances include the nicely weighted Howdoyalikeherhome for Gordon Elliott and Ballysax Hank from the Gavin Cromwell stable.
15:05 – Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final
The consistent CORAL RIVER can go well for connections in the EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final over 2m3½f.
The six-year-old has acquitted himself well all season long in this EBF series, and under Danny Mullins there’s every reason to believe another solid effort is on the cards.
Of the others, the top-rated Millforce looks like a place banker in our horse racing betting.
15:40 – Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle
Nicky Henderson’s TRADECRAFT looks really appealing today in a race that shouldn’t really take a lot of winning.
A bumper run here twelve months ago was unsuccessful, but one year on he’s a much stronger horse that knows his job.
16:15 – Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
In what could be a good week for the double green colours of Munir and Souede, JASMIN DE VAUX can follow up his Spa Novices’ victory at the Cheltenham Festival, with another in the Grade 1 Channor Novice Hurdle.
The six-year-old travelled sweetly into the three mile affair at Prestbury Park and a repeat performance should account for his rivals today.
16:50 – Race And Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1)
BAMBINO FEVER is bidding for a five-timer and the Champion Bumper winner holds every chance of doing so on all known form. This horse will be the banker of the day for many punters doing their online betting on Wednesday.
17:30 – Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)
Willie Mullins’ superstar GALOPIN DES CHAMPS wasn’t quite himself in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but still managed to finish an honourable second.
If he’s back firing on all cylinders this week, he can register his 15th career victory in this small, but select, Grade 1 feature.
18:05 – Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
You would like to think that in a race full of exposed handicap chasers, the cream that is JAMES DU BERLAIS will rise to the top in this Grade 3 contest.
The 150-rated chaser has been dining at the top table all season, and he put in another solid effort in the Topham Chase when we saw him last. He’s an each-way play all day long.
Dangers include the in form Lightkeeper for Gordon Elliott, plus Fighting Fit in the JP McManus colours.
18:35 – Weatherbys GSB Irish EBF Mares Flat Race (Grade 3)
SEO LINN made the quick dash across the Irish Sea to Aintree at the start of the month and duly landed the Grade 2 Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
If she runs up to that level again then she’s in with great shout here. Good Girl Kathleen can give her the most to do.
