2025-04-28

Punchestown Festival: Day One Betting Tips

The Punchestown Festival is back on Tuesday afternoon with an eight-race card as the Irish Jumps season comes to a close later in the week.

The action features a trio of Grade 1 races, including the Champion Chase in which Fact To File will bid to follow up his Cheltenham Festival success in the Ryanair.

We have selections and analysis for all eight races on day one including a couple of value plays at double figure odds.

Day 1 Selections:

14:30: Knockiel Synge
15:05: Boyley Hill
15:40: Seriemond
16:15: Kopek Des Bordes
16:50: Lecky Watson
17:25: Thiscouldbetheone
18:00: Fact to File
18:35: Bud Fox

2.30 Punchestown - 3m½f (Bank) Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup (5yo+)

The action kicks off with the Cross Country Chase for amateur riders and the one that appeals most is Knockiel Synge.

He made all under Georgie Benson last season, and the ground has come in his favour again for this year’s renewal.

Selection: Knockiel Synge

3.05 Punchestown - 2m3½f Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)

The British raider, Boyley Hill, could be the one to side with in his bid for a hat-trick.

He needs to prove himself on quicker ground, having won his last two starts in the mud, but he’s been let off lightly by the handicapper for his latest success, and he won his maiden hurdle on good ground earlier in his career.

Selection: Boyley Hill

3.40 Punchestown - 2m½f Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+)

Gavin Cromwell has had a remarkable season, and he has a big chance of landing this with Seriemond down at the bottom of the weights.

The five-year-old stayed on strongly at Fairyhouse last week and looks capable of going well again on ground he will appreciate.

Selection: Seriemond

4.15 Punchestown - 2m½f Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+)

The first Grade 1 of the day is for the novice hurdles, and Kopek Des Bordes is going to be a tough nut to crack. He’s unbeaten in four runs so far, stepping up on his Dublin Racing Festival success when bolting up at the Cheltenham Festival, and he can land a hat-trick of Grade 1s here.

Selection: Kopek Des Bordes

4.50 Punchestown - 3m1f Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

This looks like another good opportunity for Willie Mullins to add to his Grade 1 tally for the week.

Paul Townend rides Ballyburn but there was no fluke about Lecky Watson’s Cheltenham Festival success when he had several of these in behind and he’s taken to confirm the form here.

Selection: Lecky Watson

5.25 Punchestown - 2m½f Goffs Defender Bumper (4yo)

This is always a strong bumper but Thiscouldbetheone may represent some each-way value.

Martin Brassil’s charge was never involved on debut in Listed company but that experience should hold him in good stead and he made some late progress, suggesting the penny had dropped, so expect an improved performance this time.

Selection: Thiscouldbetheone

6.00 Punchestown - 2m½f Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

It’s hard to get away from the claims of Fact To File in day one’s feature race. He showed plenty of speed when bolting up at the Cheltenham Festival and he gives the impression there could be even more to come down in trip here.

Selection: Fact To File