Punchestown Festival Day 4 and 5 Preview
The Punchestown Festival is underway, and we still have plenty of fantastic races to watch. The five-day horse racing spectacle is one of the biggest events in Ireland. In case you missed it, the first day of races began on April 30th, at 2:30 pm and there are eight races each day. That gives us 40 events to enjoy and plenty of opportunities for successful wagers.
To help you with your horse racing bets, we have curated a guide for days four and five of the Punchestown Festival. We have already released a day one and two Punchestown Festival betting guide. Check those out to see how accurate our race racing predictions have been.
The going at Punchestown is currently yielding and good to yielding in places. However, with more rain forecast on Wednesday evening, Thursday, and Friday, will the conditions play a significant part in the later races this week? Check back throughout the week for the latest weather reports, course conditions, and odds.
Punchestown Festival Day 4
The fourth day of the Punchestown Festival begins on Friday at 3:40 pm. The first race is the Stanley Asphalt Hunters’ Chase, with 10 runners. There are seven more races before the end of the day, with the last event starting at 7:40 pm. All eyes will be on the 6 pm race at Punchestown, the Boodles Champion Hurdle. The field is fighting for a €300,000 prize pot with €177,000 going to be the winner.
If this is your first bet on the Punchestown Festival, Novibet is here to help. Our team of experts has analysed every runner in each race to provide you with accurate and high-quality racing predictions and betting tips. Check out the sections below for race winners and potentially profitable each-way bets.
WOW!
The stage is set.
Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 4 May. pic.twitter.com/lwHgkyFonO
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 20, 2024
15:40 Stanley Asphalt Hunters’ Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup
Prediction: De Nordener
The first race on Friday sees a field of 10 compete for the Bishopscourt Cup. Our pick for the race winner is De Nordener after its performance in the first race on Tuesday. De Nordener finished fifth in the Punchestown Festival opener, but we expect an uptick on Friday. Several runners in the field have raced at Punchestown before, and De Nordener previously had a second-place finish at the racecourse this year.
There is one runner with a win at Punchestown, Private Ryan. The horse trained by Sean Thomas Doyle has only run twice in 2024, including the Punchestown win in February. Since then, Private Ryan finished fifth in a field of seven at Knockanohill in heavy conditions. Both runners will aim to win the race, but some horses could land if you bet each way. Chateau Elan has two fourth-placed finishes at Punchestown since April last year. Plus, Keenaghan Lass came third at this racecourse in February. The rest of the field has horses that have pulled up or fallen in recent months. It is usually best when making a horse racing bet to avoid these runners.
16:15 EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Listed)
Prediction: Tactical Move
With 17 runners in the 4:15 pm race, all eyes will be on a select few horses. Our pick for the race win is Tactical Move, but any of the Willie Mullins horses is in with a chance. The three Mullins-trained runners in this race are Mister Policeman, Tactical Move, and Feu Du Bresil. There is still time for one or more runners to drop out, and we don’t expect Feu Du Bresil to be up there with the best. Instead, we predict Tactical Move will take the win and there will be a close battle for the second.
Looking at placing a horse racing bet on this event will be tough, as the top three Mullins horses have all been jockeyed by Paul Townend recently. Mister Policeman has two recent victories, including one in Punchestown. Tactical Move is ten years old but has a win in a field of 22 at Punchestown in January 2023. That was a mighty performance on the back of a 1,158-day break. 2024 has seen the horse compete in four events, taking two wins and two-second places. It is a gamble to go for Tactical Move, but we expect it to be the right tactic.
16:50 Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase (Grade 2)
Prediction: Brides Hill
The third race on Friday has nine runners, and our pick is for Brides Hill. The Gavin Cromwell-trained horse has been fantastic since falling in April 2023 in Perth. After that fall, Brides Hill has won three on the bounce in Listowel, Fairyhouse, and Huntingdon. Punchestown will offer a unique challenge for Brides Hill, having recently excelled on a flat, fast track. The undulation and yielding conditions could open the door to the rest of the field.
Our online sports betting site might favour Allegorie De Vassy as the favourite, another Mullins horse. It ran well with Paul Townend in the saddle in February at Naas, coming first on an undulating galloping track. However, we are going with Brides Hill following Allegorie De Vassy’s fourth-place finish at Cheltenham this year. Instit could be a surprise finisher having raced five times this year. The horse finished fifth place or higher in every event in 2024. Betting on horses is never straightforward, so betting each way on Instit could return a profit.
17:25 Event Power Champion Hunters’ Chase
Prediction: Its On The Line
There is plenty of action to enjoy on Friday at the Punchestown Festival, but the 5:25 pm race could be one not to miss. With 18 runners, our online betting site has cracking odds for most of the field. We are backing Its On The Line to take the win in this race. Trainer Emmet Mullins has seen Its On The Line go from strength to strength, winning three races in a row before coming second at Cheltenham. It recovered well to win at Aintree by over four lengths.
Making a horse racing bet on this event will be tough for each way bettors, as there are plenty of contenders. Lifetime Ambition is one runner that many will overlook following some issues with unseating the jockey. In between unseating events at Aintree in 2023 and Lisronagh in February, the horse has three race wins and one second-place finish. It would be a risky bet, but Lifetime Ambition could be amongst the top few down the final straight. Jay Bee Why is a 100/1 outsider with four second-place finishes in 2024.
Beautiful morning here at the home of Irish jump racing. Great day of action ahead.
⏰First race off at 2.30pm pic.twitter.com/7BmBPCf2Vv
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) May 1, 2024
18:00 Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Prediction: State Man
The big race on May 3rd at Punchestown will be a close one. We predict the 6 pm race winner will be State Man. The Willie Mullins-trained horse is the current favourite at our online betting site, with odds of 2/5. We expect the odds to fluctuate between now and race day, but there only looks like one winner. Locking in your horse racing bet early could guarantee the most profit.
We are backing State Man to win as the deadly duo of Mullins and Townend are on an incredible streak. The horse has won five races in a row since April 2023. More importantly, State Man won twice at Punchestown in April and November last year. Irish Point is the next most likely to win at 4/1, and that feels unlikely even with a four-horse field confirmed so far. We predict if any horse was to come second in this race, it would be Irish Point. This horse has raced once in 2024, coming second to State Man by a length and a quarter at Cheltenham. Betting on State Man to win and Irish Point each way is the way to go!
18:35 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Prediction: Ballyburn
While it’s always best to look beyond just the favourite of each race, it’s hard to ignore Ballyburn. The horse is well-known thanks to a recent Cheltenham win. But, perhaps more importantly, trained by Willie Mullins and jockeyed by Paul Townend. The pair have already tasted Cheltenham and Grand National success, and we expect Ballyburn to be another runner to deliver.
Besides winning three races since December, Ballyburn has two Punchestown wins from 2023. Even in a competitive field, the Mullins-trained horse stands out as 1/3 favourites at our online betting site. Jetara could offer good value each way if you want better-value horse racing bets. Mrs John Harrington trained the horse, and it won in Punchestown in December 2023, so it has some pedigree. Predators Gold might be another risky alternative, racking up two wins at this racecourse in 2023. There are plenty of options for betting each way in this race, which does not make your job any easier.
19:05 Uniquely Novice Hurdle
Prediction: Anotherway
The penultimate race on Friday will be a thriller with 15 runners confirmed for the event. This one will be tough to get right, especially since Billericay Dickie is confirmed for the 7:05 pm race. We expect the Mullins horse to run well in this event, but not better than Anotherway.
A large percentage of the field has experience racing at Punchestown, including several wins. Anotherway might be a favourite for punters making a horse racing bet, but the Mullins-trained horse fell in its last race at Fairyhouse. Lark In The Mornin is the odds-on favourite to take the win. But with odds of 7/4, there is little profit in it. Silver King could be worth an outside bet, having raced three times at Punchestown in the last six months. However, Anotherway will win, bouncing back from the recent fall.
19:40 Howden Insurance Brokers INH Flat Race
Prediction: Fishery Lane
The last race on Friday, May 3rd is a flat race for five to seven-year-old mares. The field is incredibly inexperienced compared to the other events on day four of the Punchestown Festival, but that adds a lot of excitement. We are backing Fishery Lane, based on the fifth-place finish at Cheltenham this March. Plus, given the trainer is Willie Mullins, Fishery Lane is in with a shout.
Other horses to consider for the final race on Friday include Melbourne Shamrock, who won in Ballycrystal a few months ago. I Am Mimi has raced at Punchestown before, back in November. The horse came second in a field of six, which could be a good sign of betting each way. Don’tstopthemusic finished in second place in Galway last December. Martin Brassil’s horse did well in similar conditions to Punchestown this year. Plus, watch out for horses like Minella Post who have pulled up or unseated their jockeys, but recorded strong results this year.
Punchestown Festival Day 5
The fifth and final day of the Punchestown Festival promises to bring excitement from 2:30 pm until the last race at 6:30. There are a couple of big events to look forward to, plus some races with a competitive field. The returns are even greater when the competition is stiff in horse racing. Below are some horse racing predictions and betting tips for every race on Saturday.
14:30 Donohue Marquees Cross Country Chase
Prediction: Knockiel Synge
We are down to 19 runners, however, the first race on Saturday should be a doozy. For this event, we are backing the race winner on the first day of the Punchestown Festival, Knockiel Synge. Knockiel Synge is the first reserve, so he could participate in this race if someone drops out. He won the opening race of this year’s festivities, making them a prime pick for another race win. A few horses will drop out before the race, so ensure you check our online betting site before placing a horse racing bet.
Betting each way on a field this large could be profitable, but it won’t be easy. Several runners have unseated their jockeys, fallen, or pulled up in recent races. We always try to avoid these types of runners, as there is nothing more disappointing about seeing your horse crash out early in a race. If De Nordener takes part in this race, they could be in for another top-five finish following their earlier performance on day one of the festival. Three By Two is another who has already finished in the top five at Punchestown this year. Plus, Transprint could put in an impressive performance. If Knockiel Synge is not declared for this race, Coko Beach is your best chance of a winner.
15:05 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase
Prediction: Klarc Kent
The second race on Saturday is another with an enormous field we expect to see whittled down. It’s no surprise we are going for one of Willie Mullins’ horses. Klarc Kent fell at the start of the year, but since then has looked solid. The horse came third at Punchestown in February and second at Fairyhouse in March. Klarc Kent also raced at Ayr in April, coming home in fourth in a field of 26. We are backing Klarc Kent to win, but betting each way could be safer.
Looking at the other competitors in the field, Spanish Harlem could be an option based on how the horse runs on day four of the Punchestown Festival. Betting each way on Clonmeen also seems like a good option. The horse has run twice at Punchestown in recent months, picking up a win and a third place. He Fitz In is another horse with an outside chance of a top-five finish. This race will be tight, so ensure you manage your horse racing bets to avoid losses.
Day one ✅
We can't wait to do it all again tomorrow on @Ladbrokes Gold Cup day! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ymbtQXlEUY
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 30, 2024
15:40 Coolmore N.H. Sires Bolshoi Ballet Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Prediction: Lossiemouth
One of the final big races of the Punchestown Festival is the 3:40 EBF Mares Champion Hurdle. Currently, we have five runners listed for the race, and we are backing Lossiemouth to win. The horse has the credentials to win this race by two lengths or more. Trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend have already won big this year, and they are heavy favourites to take home the bulk of the €125,000 prize pot. Currently, Lossiemouth has odds of 2/7 at our online sports betting site. These odds could narrow further depending on how the horse runs on Friday.
The two horses we back to complete the top three include Telmesomethinggirl and Ashore Diamond. Telmesomethinggirl is yet to win a race in 2024 but came second in Cheltenham in March. The horse performs better on right-handed undulating tracks, which should come into play today. Ashore Diamond would be further up the pecking order but pulled up at Cheltenham. Hispanic Man also has a good chance of a top-three finish having won at Punchestown twice since November and a third-place finish at Cheltenham.
16:15 Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (Listed Race)
Prediction: Cruz Control
With a field of 16 horses confirmed so far, we expect several to drop out before the race begins at 4:15 pm on Saturday. Depending on which races they declare for will drastically change the odds for this race. We are backing Cruz Control to cruise to victory on the weekend. The horse trained by Tom Lacey has found some incredible form as of late. Jockey Stan Sheppard has two wins since March on Cruz Control, including a fantastic win at Aintree. As far as betting each way goes, choosing any of the Willie Mullins runners is a good move, if they are declared for this race.
16:50 Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle (Grade 1)
Prediction: Bottler’secret
For the 4:50 pm race on Saturday, we are backing Bottler’secret to win. The horse has odds of 2/1 at our online betting site but is currently not the favourite. That title belongs to Kargese, one of Willie Mullins’ horses jockeyed by Paul Townend. While it seems unwise to bet against the iconic pairing this year, we fancy Bottler’secret for an outright bet.
With a field of ten, the race should prove exciting as there is a mix of experienced and competitive runners. Nurburgring and Storm Heart have good odds for betting each way. Ensure you check how many places our online betting site is paying before you make a wager. There are a few long shots in this field, but none are worth a cheeky horse racing bet.
17:25 SBK Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race)
Prediction: Olympic Man
We are backing Olympic Man to win the 5:25 pm race on the last day of the Punchestown Festival. The horse trained by Willie Mullins and recently jockeyed by Paul Townend should take home the largest chunk of the prize pot. With a string of top finishes in 2024 and 2023, Olympic Man looks the strongest candidate in a mixed field.
Seddon is also worth a horse racing bet having won in Punchestown last April. Plus Samui came tenth in the Punchestown 4:15 on April 30th. While Samui came outside each way places, it could improve on the last day of the festival.
18:00 Lawlor’s Of Naas (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race
Prediction: Jacob’s Ladder
The second last race of the entire Punchestown Festival has a field of inexperienced runners. That will open the door for interesting bets, as there is no way of knowing who will win. We are backing Final Demand to win. The horse trained by Gordon Elliot has one win in Oldtown on a right-handed undulating track. Other horses like Cahrt Topper or Will The Wise will be up there with the top five, but we back Jacob’s Ladder to battle for the top two spots.
18:30 ‘Have The Conversation – Say Yes To Organ Donation’ Punchestown Charity Race
Prediction: Charlies Pride
Predicting horse races is never easy, and the concluding event at the Punchestown Festival could be the hardest. There are 23 runners for this race, most of which have raced very few times this year. We are backing a risky pick for the race win, Charlies Pride. Paul Power trains the horse, with the most recent race in September at Listowel. The has a win in Kilbeggan on a right-handed undulating track.
Looking across the field, there are a few interesting runners for betting each way. Mephisto is well worth a bet and so is Pro Bono. As it’s the ultimate event of the festival, a lot can change before the horses line up at the post.
