THE team at Punchestown Racecourse has put in a major effort to ensure next weekend’s two-day Winter Festival is action-packed and full of fun.

Saturday is Up The Yard raceday, an afternoon of appreciation for stud and stable staff. There is free admission for stable staff who possess an AIR card and additional free tickets can be secured in advance through Leona on o45 897704.

There will be live music, party food, DJ, hospitality zone and coach transfer to Naas after racing. The highlight of the day promises to be the Up The Yard Challenge Race, which will see 16 riders take part in a race over one mile and about seven furlongs at approximately 3.45pm.

TRI Equestrian has sponsored a prize of €3,000 for the winning yard and a further €100 for each rider, none of whom have ridden in a race before.

There will also be a series of challenge games throughout the day, including a relay race, a ‘Stable Staff Nationa;l’ a best turned out showdown, a lip sync battle, quiz, fashion and a rodeo bull.

A large number of prizes have been secured and free family entertainment is promised.

FAUGHEEN COMEBACK

Faugheen is the star attraction on Sunday’s card. The 2015 Champion Hurdle winner has not raced January 2016 but is due to make his comeback in the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle.

Another Champion Hurdle winner, Jezki, is also expected to run.

Sunday’s card will be preceded by the second running of the Berney Bros Huntsman’s Challenge at 11am. This race involves huntsmen and their horses from 18 different packs taking on each other and a section of the famous Punchestown banks course.

Competitors will later engage in a sack race in the parade ring, and finally their hunting attire will be judged before the winner is crowned. It is hoped that the event will raise €10,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys.

RIDERS FOR SATURDAY’S UP THE YARD CHALLENGE

1. Marcel de Courcey (Tom Mullins)

2. Ryan McKeever (Tracey Collins)

3. Jan Kral (Shark Hanlon)

4. Colm Hand (Dermot McLoughlin)

5. Jamie Dwyer (Jim Dreaper)

6. Louise Magee (Gordon Elliott)

7. Emma Brophy (Liam Cusack)

8. Triona McLaughlin (Ballyhane Stud)

9. Elaine Kelly (Ballylinch Stud)

10. Dillon Phillips (Dermot Weld)

11. Veronika Snajdrova (Dot Love)

12. John Griffin (Jim Bolger)

13. Ashley Hussey (Jessica Harrington)

14. Katie Murphy (Eugene O’Sullivan)

15. Jack Martin (Noel Meade)

16. Cody Keogh (Garvan Donnelly)

R1 Stephen Thorne (Ado McGuinness)