The Punchestown Festival gets underway on Tuesday, 28 April, and there are a number of mouthwatering clashes over the five days of action, along with small yards gunning for big-race glory.
The high-class week of racing offers up plenty of opportunities for keen punters to boost the betting bank, including with the generous BOYLE Sports sign up offer.
Here are three things to look out for at Ireland’s jump season finale.
- Andy Slattery targets more Grade 1 success
Trainer Andy Slattery could not be in better form as he heads to Punchestown with his stable star, Fleur In The Park, in the Grade 1 Novice Chase at 4:50 on Tuesday.
The talented chaser was last seen landing an impressive Grade 1 win at Fairyhouse in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at the beginning of April.
Slattery described that day as the ‘biggest day of his life’ and felt he was unlucky to have been beaten at Punchestown in a Grade Two in November when picking up an injury.
A reappearance run at Thurles is likely to have him in great shape, and it will top off a fantastic few months for the trainer if he can follow up at Punchestown.
- Gaelic Warrior Vs Fact To File
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Gaelic Warrior, looks likely to head back into battle with his stablemate, Fact To File, in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday at 6:05.
It will be a tough one to call for punters as Gaelic Warrior has an excellent record at Punchestown, while Fact To File comes here with fresh legs. Will that be enough to give him the edge?
Fact To File was hugely impressive when running out a five-length winner to Gaelic Warrior in the Punchestown Gold Cup at Leopardstown and subsequently missed Cheltenham due to unsuitable ground.
It will be a swashbuckling rematch if both horses do turn up and will no doubt have divided opinions amongst racegoers and bettors.
- Kopek Des Bordes looking to bounce back
High-class novice chaser, Kopek Des Bordes, will be attempting to bounce back from his mistake at the final fence at Cheltenham, which arguably lost him the Arkle to his stable companion Kargese.
Owner Charles McCarthy expressed his disappointment after the race and believes his star chaser, who has reportedly come on ‘bundles’ for the run at Prestbury Park, would certainly have won the contest had he not made that final-fence error.
Kopek Des Bordes is the odds-on favourite to reverse the form with Kargese, who is the current second favourite in Thursday’s rematch.
