Horse Racing Tips
Punchestown Horse Racing Tips – Sunday 11th January 2026
2026 at Punchestown kicks off with a bang on Sunday, with the feature racing being the informative Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Here, Steve Mullington casts his expert eye over every race at one of Ireland’s leading racecourses this weekend.
12.20pm – 2m6½f Beginners Chase (5yo+)
Several of these have more letters than numbers next to their names, so the obvious pick has to be the last time out winner ADDITIONAL TIME.
The seven-year-old scored over 3m1f at Sligo and ran well over today’s trip at Thurles on Oct 16. He is well worth a look in our horse racing betting market.
12.50pm – 2m3½f Novice Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+)
PURE STEEL was a nice winner of a novice event – including several horses to follow for the rest of the season – here a month ago, with the form franked since by those in behind.
This step up to 2m3½f will come as no bother to the six-year-old, given he was a 3m PTP winner on debut.
1.20pm – 2m3½f Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase (5yo+ 0-100)
94-rated ERNIE FROM NURNEY looked in need of the run last time out at Navan and can be given an each-way shout in this wide open handicap.
A two-time winner over hurdles in heavy conditions in April 2024, the nine-year-old should find his level here, and is a sports betting dark horse.
1.50pm – 2m6½f Amateur National Handicap Chase (5yo+)
UNION PARK has been a grand old servant to the Philip Rothwell yard and the ten-year-old should be in the thick of it once more for his amateur rider today.
His chase form is much better than his hurdles form and I’d be surprised if he didn’t finish in one of the podiums spots.
2.20pm – 2m½f Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (5yo+)
Running in the famous colours of Audrey Turley, FREE SPIRIT has all the attributes needed to take this feature race.
He ran twice for Daniela Mele in France before moving to Willie Mullins, winning a two-mile hurdle by a head at Dieppe in June. He really could be anything – a Supreme Hurdle contender maybe?
2.50pm – 2m½f Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
Gavin Cromwell’s PRESS THE BUTTON appears to have found a great opening to land his debut race over hurdles.
A PTP and NH Flat scorer already, the youngster will certainly know his job on Sunday.
3.20pm – 2m5f Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
Twelve-year-old ONTHEROPES steps away from the Hunter Chase sphere this weekend to run in a hurdle for the very first time since April 2019!
I’m not sure what kind of Mullins (not that one) shenanigans are afoot here, but I’m willing to take an each-way punt on the veteran showing us some of his old back class.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
