Horse Racing Tips
Punchestown Festival 2026: Willie Mullins Dominates Friday’s Graded Action
William Hill News tipster Steve Mullington casts his expert eye over Friday’s action at the 2026 Punchestown Festival.
Punchestown Tips Friday:
- 3.40 – Last Round (E/W)
- 4.15 – Wonderwall (E/W)
- 4.50 – Dinoblue (WIN)
- 5.25 – Spread Boss Ted (E/W)
- 6.00 – King Rasko Grey (WIN)
- 6.40 – Lossiemouth (WIN)
- 7.10 – Spy (E/W)
- 7.40 – Premier Division (E/W)
The penultimate day of the Festival, considered by many to be the social highlight of the week. On the track current, past and potential champion hurdlers meet in the feature race – the €300,000 Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Our horse racing expert Steve Mullington will be guiding you through the Graded and Listed events this week, plus suggesting a WIN or EACH-WAY selection in all of the other supporting races.
4.50 – 2m4½f Mares Chase (Grade 2)
DINOBLUE (NAP) arrives at the Punchestown Festival in peak form, having recently defended her title at the Cheltenham Festival. She became the first dual winner of the Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, winning on the day as the 11/8 favourite in our sports betting.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare took this race last year and as a strong affinity with this racecourse. She finished third here in the 2023 Grade 1 Champion Chase behind Banbridge, while in 2023 she won a 2m Handicap Chase during the Festival. She will take all the beating today too.
5.25 – 2m4½f Novice Handicap Chase (Listed Race)
The Roger Brookhouse-owned SPREAD BOSS TED secured a victory in his most recent start at Naas in early March, and has the potential to follow up here.
Back in February the nine-year-old finished fourth behind Soldier In Milan over 2m 7f, which is a really good form line, and this drop back to 2m4f has been of great benefit to the horse.
6.00 – 2m4½f Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
KING RASKO GREY (NB) is the current red-hot favourite for the Champion Novice Hurdle and it is not difficult to see why.
Th six-year-old secured a major victory at the Cheltenham Festival in March, winning the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at odds of 11/1 in our horse racing odds.
Willie Mullins believes he is a Champion Hurdle type for next season, but in the meantime he needs to justify his short odds on home turf.
6.40 – 2m Punchestown Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
LOSSIEMOUTH has an exceptional record at Punchestown and as the current Champion Hurdle, she shouldn’t encounter too many problems from her rivals in this event.
Friday appears to be short-favourites day, and I would suggest including Lossiemouth in your accumulators etc to boost any potential winnings.
Unbeaten this season, that trend looks sure to continue unless this race turns out to be one contest too many for the wonder mare this season.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
