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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."
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Bring it on' – Barry Connell sends bullish warning to Willie Mullins ahead of stars racing at Punchestown Festival
BULLISH Barry Connell says the Facts will speak for themselves in the William Hill Champion Chase. Connell's Marine Nationale (6.00) 2 Willie Mullins just won the UK trainer's title for the second successive year Credit: PA 2 Yet Connell is in confident mood ahead of day one of the Kildare meet Credit: X @itvracing The bookies have Willie Mullins' star the 5-4 favourite for the €300,000 Grade 1 contest, but the Kildare-based trainer and former stockbroker reckons the bookies have got the market wrong. Connell said: 'He's actually improved from Cheltenham, both physically and mentally. 'I couldn't be any happier. All I can say is that we're ready for it. 'We're the champion chaser and if Fact To File and Willie want to take us on, bring it on. Read More On Irish Sport "I'd imagine it will be one of the races of the week.' Mullins has a brilliant record in the Grade 1 feature winning six out of the last seven renewals, but Connell is not worried and thinks Marine Nationale has improved from his Cheltenham victory. He added: 'We've been playing catch-up all year with Marine Nationale. 'He missed most of his novice season so that's why you're seeing such a rate of improvement from race to race this season and that's why I think he can improve again from Cheltenham to Punchestown. Most read in Horse Racing 'He basically had no race at Cheltenham. He dawdled around and then took off from the back of the last. 'He didn't even take a blow after it. America's oldest horse racing track lays abandoned after closing down following 170 years of history "Mentally and physically he has been in super shape since the Champion Chase. I couldn't be any happier.' Today, April 29, is day one of the annual five-day meet at the Kildare track. Tuesday's race card is as follows: 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
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
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Who will win the Grand National 2025?
The Grand National might be famed as a race that is a lottery to predict, but there is evidence that could be changing, with favourites having fared well in recent years. Before the big race at Aintree today, we have picked out two of the top contenders who we think have what it takes to join the illustrious list of former winners of this legendary sporting event. bet365 is offering a 25% boost on select bets for today's event. Grand National winner betting tips Stumptown @ 10/1 with bet365 Intense Raffles @ 12/1 with bet365 Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change. Already used the bet365 sign-up offer? Check out all the latest free bets and the best betting sites. Stumptown a worthy favourite The shortest-priced horse was once considered one to avoid in the Grand National – and only 12 favourites or joint-favourites have won in 77 renewals of the race in the post-war era. However, three of those favourites have triumphed in the previous five Nationals, including each of the past two years, modifications to the fences and field size making the race less unpredictable. Pre-race favourite STUMPTOWN therefore deserves attention and has the pedigree to back up his status. For one, the eight-year-old gelding is trained by Gavin Cromwell, who recently enjoyed Gold Cup success with Inothewayurthinkin. Stumptown has won his last four races, his latest victory coming over 3m 5½f in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The unique fences of the cross-country course at Prestbury Park, where Stumptown also won on his penultimate start last December, help to make it a good indicator of success at the Grand National, as Tiger King proved by winning both races in 2018 and 2019. Buy a ticket for Intense Raffles At a slightly bigger price is INTENSE RAFFLES, the Tom Gibney-trained winner of the Irish Grand National last year. Jockey JJ Slevin was on board for that victory and will once again take the reins at Aintree. Since that win the grey has had a couple of uninspiring performances at Navan, but he bounced back with an impressive second-placed finish in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on his last outing. This is a horse whose season has clearly been mapped out with the National in mind and he could be hitting form at the right time. There is a concern that Intense Raffles' past successes have mainly come on soft ground – conditions we are unlikely to see at Aintree – but the course should be watered sufficiently to ensure that this is not a major issue.
