Latest news with #2025PunchestownFestival
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
‘Costa Del Punchestown' hail punters who also rave about surprising drinks prices at 2025 Festival
THE 2025 Punchestown Festival is receiving broadly positive reviews thanks to the combination of glorious weather and reasonable drinks prices. There are of course still 5 Twitter user Steve Duggan shared this photo from the hospitality tent while praising the drink prices on offer Credit: X 5 For reference, here is the menu from the 2024 Festival Credit: @racingblogger 5 Popular horse racing tipster Stephen Power branded the Kildare course 'Costa Del Punchestown' Credit: @racingblogger 5 Similarly, Clare Makin called Wednesday 'a gorgeous day for it' But having trawled through punter feedback online, complaints around the Kildare venue itself seem few and far between. Steve noted the price of a Guinness is lower than what you'd pay at Saluting the attendee experience as a whole, he said: "Been a great two days at a great course with great friendly staff and the Guinness is cheaper here on course than in Dublin." A number of famous faces Read More On Irish Sport Ireland football legend Other celebs at the track included Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' Most read in Horse Racing And in the big race of the day, jockey Kathryn Thomas enjoys day out at Punchestown Festival The nine-year-old prevented an unwanted hat-trick in the race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years. The 5-6 favourite left no doubt about his star quality as he received rapturous applause from punters watching the big race. 'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning rider. 'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. 5 Weather forecasters have predicted another heatwave around the midlands today before the rain returns on Friday and Saturday Speaking after the big win, Corkman Townend added: 'We are very, very fortunate to have him. "Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.' Galopin Des Champs gave his rider a scare by producing a scruffy jump at the last, but it didn't impact the end result. Townend continued: 'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough. 'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it. 'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham. "He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in. 'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class." have significant live coverage throughout each day's racing. On Thursday and Friday it'll be showcased from 4pm to 7pm on RTE Two with RTE One then broadcasting the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Punchestown carnage as horse crashes through rail knocking several out of contention
The 2025 Punchestown Festival got off to a dramatic start when a number of runners were effectively put out of the race by the incident in the first race of the week The 2025 Punchestown Festival got off to a dramatic start on Tuesday when horses crashed through the rail. The five-day fixture traditionally begins with a cross country chase over three miles and 26 jumps on the track's famous banks course. Fralimonti Bilbery went off the 3-1 favourite for the 16-runner race but he became a victim of the worst of the carnage. He was biding his time along the inside and had yet to launch a challenge when he was pushed through the running rail after the third last fence. Describing the incident, RacingTV presenter Gary O'Brien said: 'Fralimonti Bilbery looks like he is trying to get a run up the inside of Haggard here. 'They are crossing a road, the rail gets dislodged. I don't know if it is by one of the runners up ahead. It's very hard to tell from that angle. Look at that!' Three sections of the rail appeared to come away resulting in some of the following horses and riders getting caught up and impeded. With the rail demolished, Fralimonti Berry was pulled up before the next jump, as was Haggard, and a gap opened between the first four and the remainder which had been affected by the incident. Victory went to Transprint for trainer Richie O'Keeffe who also saddled the second finisher Turnupdevolume. There were no reports of injuries to horses or riders.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
What TV channel is the 2025 Punchestown Festival on? FREE stream, race card and times for day one
THE 2025 Punchestown Festival gets under way this afternoon with a thrilling five days of action no doubt in store for punters. The most intrigue around Tuesday's action revolves around Advertisement Here's the general details you need to know around the meet as a whole: What TV channel is the Punchestown Festival on? Tuesday will see it broadcast from 3:30pm until 6:30pm. That pattern will be repeated across Wednesday and Thursday while it'll run from 4pm to 7pm on Friday with RTE One then showcasing the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport So anyone looking for a way to stream it can do so freely via the RTE Player. Punchestown Festival Tuesday/Day one race card: 14:30: Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase 15:05: Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final 15:40: Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 16:15: KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 16:50: Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) 17:25: Goffs Defender Bumper 18:00: William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) 18:35: Willie Coonan Memorial Flat Race Templegate tips: The flat may be fully under way in Britain - but there is one more week of star-studded action here in Ireland. Most read in Horse Racing Exclusive Constitution Hill, Galopin Des Champs, Kopek Des Bordes, State Man… they'll all be in action over the next five days. Advertisement Here, Templegate goes through every race on day one, running through the big chances and America's oldest horse racing track lays abandoned after closing down following 170 years of history Willie Mullins looks set for another profitable week - days after clinching the UK trainer's title for the second successive week. In his weekly column for SunSport, He hailed: "So, Willie Mullins did it. Advertisement "And now for history, trying to do what Vincent O'Brien never did - which is be based in Ireland and land the British Jumps Trainers' Championship three times in a row. 1 The weather around the midlands looks set to cooperate with punters all week "Since Saturday many have questioned why the jockeys' championship is decided on wins, and the trainers' championship on prize money. "Some believe it's wrong that Mullins can just pop in and take the big prizes, but, over the course of the season, win fewer races than in this case his arch rival Dan Skelton. Advertisement "But there should be no meddling with the current status quo. It's all very logical when you think about it. "A jockey's job is to win. That's it. They should go out trying to land every race that they ride in. "The role of a trainer is different. A trainers' job is to try to gain as much prize money for their owner as they can." He later added: "If anyone doesn't think that Willie Mullins is not the outstanding handler then they are in cloud cuckooland. He is. Advertisement "And he's the best in Ireland. And he's the best in Great Britain. Everyone else just needs to upgrade to be better than Mullins."
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Festival day 1 full race card and tips - list of runners on Tuesday
The 2025 Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday and sees eight races take place at the Co Kildare venue. The William Hill Champion Chase is the feature contest and sees a fascinating clash between Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale and Ryanair victor Fact To File. Willie Mullins, days on from being crowned champion trainer in the UK for the second year in a row, has an incredible team of horses running at Punchestown this week, with Kopek Des Bordes and Ballyburn, along with Fact To File, short-priced favourites on day one. Here's a full list of the runners and riders, as well as a tip for each race: 2.30pm: 3m½f (Bank) Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup (5yo+) 1 Grange Island (IRE) Mr M J O'Connor2 Cloudy Tuesday (IRE) Mr Turlough O'connor (7)3 Knockiel Synge (IRE) Miss Georgie Benson (7)4 Dromleigh (IRE) Miss L Costello (7)5 Fralimonti Bilbery (FR) Mr Jack Hendrick (7)6 Grageen (IRE) Mr P W Gleeson (7)7 Haggard (IRE) Mr Rob James (7)8 Iriko D'airy (FR) Mr S Cotter (7)9 Jet Fighter (IRE) Mr J L Scallan (7)10 Keeptheoldmanout (IRE) Mr J G Murphy (7)11 Mellow Glory (IRE) Mr F P Murphy (7)12 Tech Talk (IRE) Mr D G Lavery13 Transprint Mr A J Doyle (7)14 Turnupdevolume (IRE) Mr Barry Thomas Stone (7)15 Well Buoy (IRE) Miss Gina Andrews16 A Mighty King (IRE) Mr L P Shanahan (7)17 Empire Soldier (IRE) Reserve 118 Keep On Dreaming (IRE) Reserve 219 Kings Jet (IRE) Reserve 3 Robbie Power's tip: Turnupdevolume Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 3.05pm: 2m3½f Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle (4yo+) 1 Timmy Tuesday (IRE) Mr J H Williamson (7)2 Cave Court (IRE) Mr O McGill (5)3 Slanagaibhgoleir (IRE) Mark Walsh4 Blue Hop (IRE) Rachael Blackmore5 Bright Legend (IRE) Harry Cobden6 Bridie's Beau (IRE) C Stone-Walsh (3)7 Hartur D'arc (FR) Keith Donoghue8 Luminous Light Sean Flanagan9 Rocheval (FR) Patrick Wadge10 Stay If U Want To (IRE) Jonjo O'Neill Jr11 Camino Rock Gavin Brouder (3)12 Must Go Now (IRE) John Shinnick (5)13 Boyles Hill (IRE) Isabel Williams14 Kinbara Firstdraft (IRE) J J Slevin15 Londonofficecallin (IRE) D King16 Crazierthandaisy Sam Twiston-Davies17 Jolie Jewel (FR) Phillip Enright18 Sammy Smart Darragh O'Keeffe19 Down Around (IRE) H E Sexton (7)20 Kilta (IRE) Jonathan England21 Billy Lee Swagger (IRE) A P Kelly (5)22 Noble Park (IRE) P V O'Brien23 Almuhit (IRE) Richie McLernon24 Buy Some Time (IRE) B Smith (7)25 Away To Milan (IRE) Simon Torrens26 Soldierofthestorm (IRE) Reserve 127 Master Otis (IRE) Reserve 228 Gabriel Ranger (IRE) Reserve 3 Robbie Power's tip: Boyles Hill 3.40pm: 2m½f Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+) 1 Gaucher Brian Hayes2 Brentford Hope Jonathan Burke3 Hunters Yarn (IRE) J J Slevin4 Iberico Lord (FR) Mark Walsh5 Helvic Dream (IRE) Donagh Meyler6 Samui Mr J H Williamson (7)7 Any Road (IRE) Darragh O'Keeffe8 Lark In The Mornin (GER) Danny Mullins9 Wilful (IRE) Jonjo O'Neill Jr10 Ascending Lark P V O'Brien11 Impero (IRE) Danny Gilligan12 Irish Panther Cian Cullinan (7)13 God Of Thunder (IRE) D King14 American Money (IRE) Rachael Blackmore15 Run For Harry (IRE) C Monaghan (7)16 Sonny May (IRE) Sean O'Keeffe17 Serienmond (GER) C Stone-Walsh (3) Robbie Power's tip: Serienmond 4.15pm: 2m½f KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) 1 Fleetfoot (IRE) Keith Donoghue2 Irancy (FR) Mark Walsh3 Karbau (FR) Danny Mullins4 Kopek Des Bordes (FR) Paul Townend5 Salvator Mundi (FR) Mr Patrick Mullins6 Whinney Hill Sam Ewing Robbie Power's tip: Kopek Des Bordes 4.50pm: 3m1f Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 1 Ballyburn (IRE) Paul Townend2 Champ Kiely (IRE) Danny Mullins3 Gorgeous Tom (IRE) Darragh O'Keeffe4 Ile Atlantique (FR) Mr Patrick Mullins5 Impaire Et Passe (FR) J J Slevin6 Lecky Watson (IRE) Sean O'Keeffe7 Slade Steel (IRE) Rachael Blackmore8 Stellar Story (IRE) Danny Gilligan9 Don't Rightly Know Harry Cobden Robbie Power's tip: Ballyburn 5.25pm: 2m½f Goffs Defender Bumper (4yo) 1 Brother Walfrid (IRE) Mr M Kenneally (7)2 Cluain Chormaic (IRE) Mr E Mahon (7)3 Green Chef (IRE) Mr D McGill (7)4 Green Hint (IRE) Mr S Connor (7)5 Green Style (IRE) Mr B O'Neill6 If You Believe (IRE) Mr D G Lavery7 Laguna Beach (FR) Mr J L Gleeson8 Leader Des Bordes (FR) Mr Patrick Mullins9 Lejolicoeur Du Mou (FR) Mr Finian Maguire10 Lincall (FR) Mr J M Halford (7)11 Maith An Buachaill (IRE) Miss J Townend12 Mullaghgloss (IRE) Mr A P Ryan (7)13 Reckless (FR) Mr J H Williamson (7)14 Santo Sospir (FR) Mr H C Swan15 Seabloom (IRE) Mr Charlie Mullins (7)16 So You Know (IRE) Miss Gina Andrews17 Thiscouldbetheone (IRE) Mr Derek O'Connor18 Brosna Shine Mr P A King (5)19 Thirsty Work Mr A Leahy (7)20 Wonderful Everyday (IRE) Miss R Dudfield (7) Robbie Power's tip: Santo Sospir 6.00pm: 2m½f William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 1 Captain Guinness (IRE) Rachael Blackmore2 El Fabiolo (FR) Paul Townend3 Fact To File (FR) Mark Walsh4 Marine Nationale (IRE) Sean Flanagan5 Senecia (IRE) Phillip Enright6 Solness (FR) J J Slevin Robbie Power's tip: Fact To File 6.35pm: 2m½f Willie Coonan Memorial INH Flat Race (4yo) 1 All For Brooke (IRE) Mr A Leahy (7)2 Answer That (IRE) Miss A B O'Connor3 Au Plaisir (FR) Mr D Doyle (7)4 Barley Lane (IRE) Mr Rob James (7)5 Bud Fox (IRE) Mr Derek O'Connor6 Buddy Holly (IRE) Mr H C Swan7 Certamen (IRE) Mr F R Buckley (7)8 Coutach Mr Patrick Mullins9 Danny The Champ (IRE) Mr J Kidd (7)10 Dorie Miller (IRE) Mr Finn Tegetmeier (7)11 Famous Figure (IRE) Mr R Barron (5)12 Galileo Sand (IRE) Mr J L Gleeson13 I'm A Rocket Man (IRE) Mr M Sharpe (7)14 Jaynemax (IRE) Mr P A King (5)15 Kilmore Dragon (IRE) Mr E Mahon (7)16 Little Boy Sivola (FR) Miss P Elvin (7)17 Market Ready (IRE) Mr E P O'Brien (5)18 Max Meridius (IRE) Mr Charlie Mullins (7)19 Minella Jackpot Mr A T Feeney (7)20 Our Sonny (IRE) Mr A P Ryan (7)21 Starting Fifteen Mr Finian Maguire22 The Eggler (IRE) --23 Celestial Tune (IRE) Mr Barry Thomas Stone (7)24 Eagle Of Destiny (IRE) Mr B O'Neill25 Scarriff Bridge (IRE) Mr L P Shanahan (7)26 Lexington Wood (FR) Reserve 127 Faith Of Empires (TUR) Reserve 2 28 Imagine It (IRE) Reserve 3 Robbie Power's tip: Starting Fifteen
