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Irish Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Punchestown Festival day 2 full race card and tips - list of runners Wednesday
After Marine Nationale's victory in the William Hill Champion Chase on Tuesday, attention turns to the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, which is the feature race on day two. Willie Mullins landed a 7,428/1 treble on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival as Iracny (18/1), Champ Kiely (22/1) and Wonderful Everyday (16/1) all won for the Closutton trainer. And he will aim to win the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs at the third attempt, with the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner finishing second to Fastorslow at the meeting in each of the past two years. But with that rival injured, the nine-year-old only has three horses to beat. However, Spillane's Tower, Banbridge and Monty's Star are three top quality opponents and it should be a cracking renewal despite the small field. There are eight races once again on the card, with the feature race one of three Grade 1s taking place. Here's a full list of the runners and riders, as well as a tip for each race on Wednesday: 2.30pm: 2m3½f Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle (4yo+) 1 American Sniper (IRE) Ben Bromley2 Portnacoo (IRE) P Hanlon (4)3 She's A Fine Wine (IRE) Niall Moore (2)4 Whiskeywealth (IRE) Jack Gilligan (2)5 Cloonainra (IRE) A Harvey6 Cobra Queen (IRE) S D Greene (4)7 Ira Hayes (IRE) D A Kidd (4)8 Mister Beeton (IRE) Cian Quirke9 Smooth Scotch (IRE) Liam Quinlan10 Hands On (IRE) P F Kavanagh (4)11 Kap Vert (FR) C Pritchard (2)12 Hamsiyann (IRE) J Smith (2)13 Ballysax Hank (IRE) C Stone-Walsh14 Birmingham Alabama (IRE) H E Sexton (4)15 Nouvotic (FR) E O'Sullivan (4)16 Thanksforthehelp (FR) Gavin Brouder17 Doctor Churchill (IRE) Shane O'Callaghan (2)18 Fairyland Opera (IRE) John Shinnick19 Howdoyalikeherhome (IRE) Jake Coen20 In For The Night (IRE) Charlie O'Dwyer21 Giant Haystacks (IRE) T P Harney (4)22 Showurappreciation (IRE) Cian Cullinan (4)23 Beyond Your Dreams (IRE) A P Kelly24 Kimy (FR) Conor Clarke (4)25 Stay Gold (IRE) L A McKenna26 Polemon Reserve 127 The Nagger Reidy Reserve 228 Mic Drop (IRE) Reserve 3 Robbie Power's tip: Nouvotic 3.05pm: 2m3½f Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final (4yo+) 1 Millforce (IRE) Keith Donoghue2 One And Only (IRE) Phillip Enright3 A Tipp For Gold (IRE) Sean O'Keeffe4 Downmexicoway (IRE) Darragh O'Keeffe5 Kish Bank (IRE) J Smith (5)6 Scalpnagoon (IRE) Danny Gilligan7 Champagne Jury (IRE) C Stone-Walsh (3)8 Coral River (IRE) Danny Mullins9 Littlefoot (IRE) L A McKenna (5)10 Rockymountainbleu (IRE) Simon Torrens11 Scotcantou (IRE) Rachael Blackmore12 Ellis Mor (IRE) Brian Hayes13 Keep Kool Coko (FR) Cian Quirke (3)14 Happy Me (IRE) Jonathan Burke15 Thisistheway (IRE) John Shinnick (5)16 Mi Lucky Cailin (IRE) T P Harney (7) Robbie Power's tip: Champagne Jury 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. 3.40pm: 2m3½f Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle (4yo+) 1 American Mike (IRE) Danny Gilligan2 Fad Eadrainn (IRE) Simon Torrens3 Kaid D'authie (FR) Mark Walsh4 Locked Box (IRE) Philip Donovan (3)5 Saint Le Fort (FR) Brian Hayes6 Tradecraft (IRE) J Bowen7 Centreofattention (IRE) Jody McGarvey8 Champagne Kid (IRE) Danny Mullins9 Blue Mosque (IRE) Donagh Meyler10 Got Glory (FR) Paul Townend Robbie Power's tip: Kaid d'Authie 4.15pm: 3m Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) 1 Argento Boy (IRE) Danny Mullins2 Cardcounter (IRE) Sam Ewing3 Fleur In The Park (IRE) Cian Quirke4 Honesty Policy (IRE) Mark Walsh5 Jarrive De Mee (FR) Mr Patrick Mullins6 Jasmin De Vaux (FR) Paul Townend7 Luckinthecity Sean O'Keeffe8 Familiar Dreams Jordan Gainford Robbie Power's tip: Jasmin De Vaux 4.50pm: 2m½f Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race (Grade 1) (4-7yo) 1 Classical Creek Mr J H Williamson2 Colcannon (IRE) Mr Derek O'Connor3 Copacabana Mr Patrick Mullins4 Kalypso'chance (FR) Mr H C Swan5 Sunny South West (IRE) Mr A P Ryan6 Bambino Fever (IRE) Miss J Townend7 Switch From Diesel (IRE) Mr R Barron Robbie Power's tip: Colcannon 5.30pm: 3m1f Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Chase) (Grade 1) (5yo+) 1 Banbridge (IRE) J J Slevin2 Galopin Des Champs (FR) Paul Townend3 Monty's Star (IRE) Rachael Blackmore4 Spillane's Tower (IRE) Mark Walsh Robbie Power's tip: Banbridge 6.05pm: 2m4½f Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+) 1 Blue Lord (FR) Paul Townend2 James Du Berlais (FR) J J Slevin3 Visionarian (IRE) Keith Donoghue4 Adamantly Chosen (IRE) Brian Hayes5 Fighting Fit Charlie O'Dwyer (5)6 Indiana Jones (FR) Gavin Brouder (3)7 Lets Go Champ (IRE) Rachael Blackmore8 Seddon (IRE) A Harvey (5)9 The King Of Prs (IRE) C Stone-Walsh (3)10 Mars Harper Sam Ewing11 So Scottish (FR) A P Kelly (5)12 Riaan (IRE) Danny Gilligan13 Lightkeeper (IRE) Jordan Gainford14 Must Be Obeyed (IRE) Darragh O'Keeffe15 Grange Walk (IRE) D King Robbie Power's tip: Lets Go Champ 6.35pm: 2m½f Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race (Grade 3) (4-7yo) 1 Amen Kate (IRE) Mr Finian Maguire2 Carrigmoornaspruce (IRE) Mr D L Queally3 Champagne Venture (IRE) Mr H C Swan4 Delorean Dynamite (IRE) Mr D Doyle5 Divaboriva (IRE) Mr A P Ryan6 Future Prospect (IRE) Mr Patrick Mullins7 Good Girl Kathleen (IRE) Mr J L Gleeson8 Mighty Moments Miss A B O'Connor9 Rock On By Mr Derek O'Connor10 Seo Linn (IRE) Mr B O'Neill11 Six Mile Suzy (IRE) Ms E Dunseath12 Imagine It (IRE) Miss Maxine O'Sullivan Robbie Power's tip: Seo Linn
The 42
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Marine Nationale completes Champion Chase double with Punchestown win
MARINE NATIONALE BACKED up his Cheltenham win with an impressive victory in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Fresh from a wide-margin success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Festival, Barry Connell's stable star was the 2-1 second-favourite to come out on top in a fascinating clash with the brilliant Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File (11-10). While the latter looked to be struggling to keep up with the strong pace being set by Solness from an early stage back over an extended two miles, Marine Nationale travelled strongly throughout under Sean Flanagan, although the race did look in the balance until El Fabiolo suffered his third fall in his last four starts two fences from home. Marine Nationale was in full command from that point and quickened up smartly from the final obstacle to pull seven lengths clear of Captain Guinness, with Solness third and Fact To File a bitterly disappointing last of four finishers. Advertisement Marine Nationale ridden by Sean Flanagan on their way to winning. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Barry Connell reacts after his horse Marine Nationale wins. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Champ Kiely upset his better fancied stablemate Ballyburn to claim top honours in a dramatic renewal of the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. Willie Mullins saddled five of the eight runners that went to post for the Grade One contest, but first his Cheltenham Festival hero Lecky Watson fell at the fifth obstacle and brought down stablemate Impaire Et Passe before a third Closutton runner, Ile Atlantique, came to grief a few fences later. Danny Mullins wins The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Steeplechase on Champ Kiely. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO Ballyburn, an 11-8 favourite to bounce back from Cheltenham disappointment, moved to the front on the second circuit – but 22-1 shot Champ Kiely and Danny Mullins sat in his slipstream before the home turn and had more to give in the straight, with six and a half lengths separating the pair at the line. Mullins said: 'Champ Kiely didn't enjoy Fairyhouse (finished third nine days ago) but today he was a different horse, and Danny rode him with huge confidence to follow Paul. 'He did everything right for Danny today. With all the hard luck we had in the race between fallers and a horse being brought down, it was great to see Danny getting into the picture at the third-last and I said this fella has a chance if Ballyburn doesn't stay in front.' Danny Mullins celebrates winning The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Steeplechase. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO Of Ballyburn, he added: 'He probably just didn't jump well enough on the day and I would say there'll be a lot of thought put into going back hurdling next season. 'We know he jumps hurdles fantastically and there might be a gap in the staying hurdling division for him.'
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Horse of a lifetime' Marine Nationale scores with a swagger in Champion Chase
The specialist nature of two-mile chasing was reiterated on Tuesday evening when the last two winners of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham filled the first two places in the Grade One William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. In truth, it was a masterful performance from the reigning champ, the Barry Connell-trained and Sean Flanagan-ridden Marine Nationale, as he was able to travel behind the blistering early speed and then quicken up to challenge before putting the race to bed. On a day that reminded all racing fans of just what a puzzle end-of-season action can be, it was a refreshing departure from the upsets of the afternoon as the eight-year-old scored with a swagger. El Fabiolo had travelled strongly and still held every chance until taking a crashing fall at the second-last, but it was at that point that Marine Nationale had just come back on the bridle and looked to be making a move to win his race. With that one's departure, he was left to battle with 2024 Champion Chaser Captain Guinness and the speedy Solness, and yet the relatively fresh Marine Nationale quickened away in tremendous fashion to win by seven lengths from Captain Guinness, with Solness in third. The anticipated battle with Fact To File never materialised as the Ryanair Chase winner struggled to stay with the leaders as they raced beyond halfway and had to settle for a disappointing fourth-place finish. 'You can only beat what's there on the day to be beaten, and he's beaten them well,' said Flanagan. 'I gave him a nudge going down to the second-last and he's winged it and just completely come alive, and I've gone away to the last on the bridle. It generally only happens on horses like him. 'He is the reigning Champion Chaser for now, and we're going to enjoy that. I'm just delighted to be a small part of it. 'Barry holds the horse in such high regard. As he says, he's the horse of a lifetime. I've ridden a lot of horses through the years, and I've never ridden anything like him. 'I've said several times before, I'm riding 20 years and people say, 'why do you still get out of bed and go every day?' and that's why. You're looking for one, just one like him, and I think we've found one. 'It's a big credit to Barry. He knows this horse like the back of his hand, and he was adamant he had improved him. Even from my angle, from riding him, I thought he stepped up massively from Christmas to the DRF, and again to Cheltenham. And they told me there was more in the locker for him to step up again, and I think he's done it.' Connell, who is an open book when it comes to his horses, was emotional when achieving the lifetime ambition of winning a Champion Chase at Cheltenham and buoyed by this success, is already dreaming of more. 'We're thrilled. This is the horse of a lifetime,' he beamed. 'Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all of the storied horses over the years. 'He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner. 'He's only eight and that's his twelfth run. We missed a lot of our novice season last year, so it was a slow build, and I felt the horse had improved with every run and had improved again from Cheltenham - and we were proved right. 'He has no mileage on the clock, and he grows an extra leg in Cheltenham. He's so laid back, goes through the gears and just does enough. He doesn't burn any extra petrol than what he needs. 'He's the most wonderful creature and everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. We only have 13 or 14 horses riding out and we're able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition.'
Irish Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Marine Nationale's Punchestown win has Barry Connell already dreaming of Champion Chase hat-trick
The two-mile title-holder Marine Nationale confirmed his status at the top of the division with a superb victory in the €300,000 William Hill Champion Chase on day one of the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday. Having supplied Cheltenham with its most poignant scenes shortly after the death of his former jockey Michael O'Sullivan, Marine Nationale stepped firmly into the spotlight by completing the big festival double in style. Seán Flanagan again did the steering on Barry Connell's star, who wound up beating Captain Guinness by seven lengths with Solness in third. The 11-10 favourite Fact To File never travelled like a winner in his first start at two miles and struggled home last of the four finishers. If the outcome vindicated Marine Nationale's championship status, it was also a welcome slice of normality on a particularly fraught opening day of the festival for those placing their faith in the form book. READ MORE Punchestown's slot at the end of a long campaign means it has a long history of providing surprises and there was a particularly silly season feel to some of Tuesday's results. Willie Mullins saddled the first four in the Grade One KPMG Novice Hurdle, but it was the heavy odds-on Cheltenham winner Kopek Des Bordes that trailed home last of them behind his 18-1 stable companion Irancy. The champion trainer subsequently had the first two in the Dooley Champion Novice Chase, except it was the 22-1 outsider of his five runners, Champ Kiely, that emerged on top of an incident-packed race. In fact, for much of the programme, spectacular sunny weather was about the only consolation for punters. Ruth Dudfield on Wonderful Everyday wins The Goffs Defender Bumper. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho The opening two races went to 22-1 and 50-1 shots and although Mullins completed a hat-trick, his third winner, Wonderful Everyday, was the 16-1 outsider of his four runners in the valuable Goffs Bumper. The Mullins three-timer paid a whopping 7,428-1. If left Marine Nationale as a rare piece of form logic, even if the market didn't reflect it. Fact To File didn't spark, but his stable companion El Fabiolo looked a real threat until a dramatic fall at the second last. Ultimately, though, the winner justified his owner-trainer's reasoning. Connell's faith in his stable star has never wavered and not only is he looking forward to a title defence at Cheltenham next March, he's anticipating a Champion Chase hat-trick in 2027. The Dublin businessman witnessed the sole ever triple-two mile champion Badsworth Boy complete the feat 40 years ago and is convinced Marine Nationale can emulate him. 'He's won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner going forward. Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three despite all of the storied horses over the years,' Connell said. 'This is the horse of a lifetime and we are going to mind him and you'll see him back in Cheltenham next year. He won't be 10-1 like he was this morning!' he added. The Mullins bandwagon rolled into the festival start, although hardly stopping where expected. Irancy had trailed well behind Kopek Des Bordes and Salvator Mundi at Cheltenham, but having scored at Fairyhouse in the interim he was ready to pounce on a frantic early pace set by his better-fancied stable companions and kick the form book firmly into touch. Danny Mullins wins the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Steeplechase on Champ Kiely. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Once again Ballyburn flattered to deceive in the Grade One novice chase as Danny Mullins picked up the pieces, easing Champ Kiely through to ultimately win with some authority. It was a third Grade One victory in nine days for the rider on one of his uncle's second or third strings. Behind them were Lecky Watson who fell at the fifth, bringing down his stable companion Impaire Et Passe, while Mullins's other starter Il Atlantique crashed out at the 10th. 'With all the hard luck we had in the race between fallers and a horse being brought down it was great to see Danny getting into the picture at the third last and I said this fella has a chance if Ballyburn doesn't stay in front. Ballyburn just didn't jump well enough on the day,' Mullins said. Even in the bright sunshine it was a gloomy festival start for punters with the 22-1 winner of the first, Transprint, followed by Buy Some Time at 50-1 in the Albert Bartlett Series Final. The latter was a career highlight success for the Scottish father and son team of Mike and Ben Smith and when another cross-channel raider, Ascending Lark, won the following handicap, it had wags referring to a brief British lead in a Punchestown equivalent to Cheltenham's Prestbury Cup – a Kildare Cup perhaps! Bud Fox in the concluding bumper also justified some market strength, the point-to-point winner scoring under Derek O'Connor. The official day one festival crowd of 17,842 was an almost 1,500 increase on the equivalent 2024 figure of 16,361. There were two equine fatalities on the Tuesday programme. The English runner Kilta sustained fatal injuries in a fall at the first flight of the Albert Bartlett Series Final. Paddy Twomey's Eagle Of Destiny was pulled up in the straight when contending for the lead in the concluding bumper and was euthanised. Watering began again at Punchestown after racing on Tuesday evening.
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Marine Nationale wins Punchestown's Champion Chase
Marine Nationale backed up his Cheltenham win with an impressive victory in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. Fresh from a wide-margin success in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Festival, Barry Connell's stable star was the 2-1 second-favourite to come out on top in a fascinating clash with the brilliant Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File (11-10). Drama in the William Hill Champion Chase as Marine Nationale secures an impressive victory at Punchestown. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 While the latter looked to be struggling to keep up with the strong pace being set by Solness from an early stage back over an extended two miles, Marine Nationale travelled strongly throughout under Sean Flanagan, although the race did look in the balance until El Fabiolo suffered his third fall in his last four starts two fences from home. Barry Connell never doubted that Marine Nationale could land the big one at Punchestown and he was proved right. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 Marine Nationale was in full command from that point and quickened up smartly from the final obstacle to pull seven lengths clear of Captain Guinness, with Solness third and Fact To File a bitterly disappointing last of four finishers. Sean Flanagan speaks to RTE Sport following his fine victory with Marine Nationale at Punchestown. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 29, 2025 Watch the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday to Saturday with RTÉ Sport. Coverage begins at 3.30pm for first three days and on Friday at 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
