Gordon Elliott v Willie Mullins

For the second year running, the battle for the Irish jumps trainers’ championship is set up perfectly for Punchestown. Gordon Elliott holds an €517,289 advantage over Willie Mullins and though that seems like a substantial gap, bookmakers are anticipating Mullins to make a very good fist of the chase, with Paddy Power quoting Elliott at only 8/11 to secure his first ever championship, and Mullins at Evens for a 12th title.

Similarly to last year, Mullins is long odds on to be the leading trainer at Punchestown and will again throw everything at the meeting to try and eat into Elliott’s lead. There are four major races each worth €275,000 and at the time of writing, Willie has the favourite for three of the four races. In comparison, Elliott looks a bit light with his representation in these races and will be most hopeful about star novices Samcro and Farclas to get him over the line.

Douvan v Min v Un De Sceaux

In tomorrow’s BoyleSports Champion Chase, Mullins has declared Douvan, Min, Un De Sceaux and Ballycasey so it is not beyond the realms of possibility he could be within €350,000 of Elliott after just the fourth race of the festival. It could have a major bearing on the race between the two and set the tone for the week.

The race itself is a cracker. It is unusual for Willie to pit one stable star against another in the same Grade 1 race so having three in there fighting perhaps goes to show you what it means to him to be Champion trainer. Douvan looked to be going so well before falling in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, where Min travelled like a dream before finding only Altior too good on the day. Then you have Un De Sceaux who is Un De Sceaux, the Iron horse who will be a match for anyone and is very interesting back over this two-mile trip on ground which may be slow enough to see him at his best.

Ground

Although the weather forecast for Punchestown is unsettled, there will be a chance for trainers to get horses out on ground that isn’t bog-like, which has been the case for the majority of the season. The going description at the moment is yielding and with the weather set to get better towards the end of the week, the ground could yet get faster.

This will be good news for a number of trainers left frustrated with the weather for both of the major festivals in Britain.

Footpad and Samcro

As well as the four feature events, Punchestown offers a platform for younger horses a last opportunity to stake their claim before moving into open company next season. There are a number of classy novices over fences and over hurdles set to take their chance at the Kildare venue this week but none more so than Footpad and Samcro. Footpad was electric in the Arkle at Cheltenham, posting one of the best time performances of the week and he could yet make into a Gold Cup contender next season.

Samcro might well be one of the most hyped horses of all time yet he provided more substance to that hype when running out a comprehensive winner of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, in which the runner-up Black Op has since come out and boosted the form. Samcro could yet play a huge part in the trainers’ championship with Michael O’Leary, firmly behind his man Elliott, open to letting the six-year-old take his chance in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Friday, should he be needed for the cause. Mullins already has the favourite in Melon for that race, and so it could prove to be a pivotal moment in the championship.

The banks

And we don’t mean the money makers. The cross country races are synonymous with Punchestown and last year they provided fantastic spectacles. Three of the four races over the banks were won by a length or less and each race had more than its fair share of drama with the unique course a real test for both jockey and horse. Fitting that a cross country race opens the Festival tomorrow, where local trainer Peter Maher’s Enniskillen will attempt to win the Fr Sean Breen Memorial Chase for the second year running.

Best Dressed Ladies

Bollinger have signed up to sponsor the Best Dressed Lady’s prizes at Punchestown again this year. There will be a competition for each of the first four days of the meeting with an overall winner announced on Friday.

The overall winner will win a luxurious trip for two to the private Bollinger estate and its champagne libraries in France. The trip also includes overnight stays in the historic town of Reims - the heart of the champagne region in France - and in Paris where a Michelin dining experience will be provided. There are also daily prizes to be won which include a €300 Topflight voucher, a Cocoa Brown Tan Luxury hamper and a bottle of Bollinger champagne.

Festival Street Shopping

New to the Punchestown Festival this year is the Festival street shopping experience. Over 50 exhibitors will showcase handmade jewellery, millinery, sculpture and art shown alongside fashion, homewares, garden pieces and much more. Not a bad way to spend your money if you’ve managed to back a winner.

New Hunt Stand

Also new for the 2018 Festival is the Hunt Stand, which cost €4 million to build. Situated in the ever popular reserved enclosure, the Hunt Stand promises to add another dimension to the racegoer’s experience. Located just metres from the finishing straight this 13,000 square feet facility will be the new permanent home of the Bollinger Champagne Lounge, increased capacity Festival Bar, Fox Den Café and is next door to the famous Punchestown Sky Bar where the legendary aprés racing sing along session will take place on festival Friday.

The party continues in Naas

And it doesn’t just stop when the music goes out at the racecourse. Most punters will head straight for Naas to sample the lively race week atmosphere which is pinpointed to the legendary Naas Court Hotel. There are plenty more pubs and restaurants worth sampling, including Graces, McCormacks and Kavanaghs.

Family Day Saturday

Long gone are the days when Saturday was just an industry day of racing at the end of the meeting. Saturday, set up with a family-orientated theme, continues to go from strength to strength. All the entertainment is free and includes: bouncy castles, face painters, pony rides, disco dome and a display from the Irish Defence forces. The action on the track isn’t too shabby either with two Grade 1 races to boot.

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