PUNCHESTOWN TIPS: All the best bets for Day 2 - Wednesday, April 26

Day two of the Punchestown Festival is due to get underway at 3.40 pm with the final race of the day scheduled at 7.45 pm. 

Day one saw Facile Vega and Energumene comfortably seal Grade 1 victories while Feronily produced a cracking run to capture the Champion Novice Chase. The ground at the track has changed from yesterday as it now stands at Yielding. We have previewed the second day of the festival with a race by race guide and you can find more tips at Irishracing.com.

3.40pm Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

The first race of the day could be of value for the each-way markets as a field of 25 are declared for the race. Unanswered has opened at fav in the market with a price of 4/1. Gordon Elliott’s best chance comes in the form of Level Neverending meanwhile Gold Speed is a previous course and distance winner so is worth a shot at 20/1. Predicting Elliott to win the first race of the day just like he did on the opening day.

Prediction: Level Neverending

4.15pm Hurdle Series Final (2m4f)

The top three in the market, Sandor Clegane, Senior Chief and Three Card Brag have shown before that they can perform on the big day. Rachel Blackmore and Senior Chief will be hoping to make it three successive wins having won in Punchestown in February while also claiming victory in Navan on March 20 after stepping up in trip. Can see Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead having joy in this race. 

Prediction: Senior Chief

4.45pm Hurdle (2m4f)

Having had a successful first day of the festival, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend will be hoping Grangeclare West can get back to his best and justify its 2/1 price in the market.

Perfect Attitude will run a good race and is worth an each-way bet in the nine-runner field.

Prediction: Grangeclare West

5.20pm Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (3m)

This Grade 1 over three miles will be a battle of Mullins and Elliott with Mullins currently heading the betting with Gaelic Warrior placed at evens. He finished second in the Ballymore Novice over 2m5f so will be hoping he can perform with the step up in trip. Elliott has two chances of victory with Salvador Ziggy and Favori De Champdou both having the form to capture the Grade 1 crown.

Prediction: Salvador Ziggy

5.55pm Punchestown Gold Cup (3m)

The big race of the day sees Townend and Mullins looking to capture their third Gold Cup of the season having won the Irish Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Gallopin Des Champs stands favourite with Bravemansgame, who came second to Townend at Cheltenham, 10/3 in the betting. Predicting Gallopin Des Champs to be first with Bravemansgame second.

Prediction: Gallopin Des Champs

6.30pm Flat Race (Grade 1) (2m ½ f)

This race looks set up for A Dream To Share to capture a fifth win in a row having won on its last four starts. Its last run was at Cheltenham where they took the Champion Bumper over the same distance. Tullyhill is likely second.

Prediction: A Dream To Share

7.05pm Handicap Chase (2m5f)

Having come fifth of nine in the Arkle at Cheltenham, Ha D’or will be hopeful of recapturing his form for Townend and Mullins as he goes up against Ilikedwayurthinkin for Gavin Cromwell and Mark Walsh. Expecting another Townend and Mullins winner here.

Prediction: Ha D’or

7.45pm Flat Race (Grade 3) 2m ½ f)

One thing is certain in this race and that is a Willie Mullins trained winner as he trains five out of the 13 horses declared to run. Fun Fun Fun and Janta Marvel will go to battle in the final race of day two and I see Junta Marvel having enough to cross the line first, was impressive on debut winning a bumper in Limerick.

Prediction: Junta Marvel