PUNCHESTOWN TIPS: All the best bets for Day 1 - Tuesday, April 25

The first day of the five-day Punchestown Festival begins with an eight-race card due to get underway at 3.40pm with the final race at 7.45pm.

The ground at the track is currently Yielding to Soft with light showers forecast throughout the day. We have previewed the opening day of the festival with our race by race guide and you can find the more tips at Irishracing.com

3.40pm Mares Novice Hurdle (2m)

This will be a battle of Willie Mulins and Gordon Elliott as they both top the market. Night And Day and Shecouldbeanyting will go to work meanwhile The Model Kingdom looks a good bet at 5/1. Predicting another Paul Townend and Mullins winner.

Prediction: Night And Day

4.15pm Champion Noive Hurdle (Grade 1) (2m ½ f)

Can’t see anything but a Facile Vega win here with him finishing second to Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Il Etait Temps likely second.

Prediction: Facile Vega

4.50pm Handicap Hurdle (2m ½ f)

This could be anyone’s race with plenty of quality horses on show. Mark Walsh rides Brazil and can see him staying on to finish first. Elliott has some good each-way value with Fils D'oudairies and Glan well-placed in the market.

Prediction: Brazil

5.25pm Champion Chase (Grade 1) (2m)

The only bet you could have in this race is for second-place as Energumene stands at 4/11 fav after crushing the field at Cheltenham beating Captain Guinness by 10 lengths in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Blue Lord is the best bet for the second-place.

Prediction: Energumene

6.00pm Bumper (2m ½ f)

A race that’s unpredictable in its nature and also for the winner as only four of the horses have run this season. Tactical Affair looks a good shout at 6/1 under the ride of J J Codd and Gordon Elliott.

Prediction: Tactical Affair

6.25pm Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (3m ½ f)

This race looks set to a straight shoot-out between Journey WIth Me and Classic Getaway. Rachel Blackmore produced a good performance in being first past the post in Naas on March 12 while Classic Getaway won last time out in Gowran Park back in November. However, preference stands with Appreciate It, who is looking to build on a third-place finish in Fairyhouse at the beginning of the month.

7.10pm Cross Country Chase (3m1f)

The form guide suggests that Vital Island will be a forerunner in this race with him placed at Evens in the market. Old Style Humor should run well having won two and placed in four of his last six races. 

Prediction: Old Style Humor

7.45pm Flat Race (2m ½ f)

The final race of the day sees Mullins head the betting with Ninth Loch priced at 5/2. Meanwhile, Downmexicoway won’t be without a shout as he comes into the race off a point-to-point victory at Belharbour in February.

Prediction: Downmexicoway