Punchestown Festival

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Britain has had it’s turn of festival fever with the enigmatic Cheltenham Festival and now is the turn of Irish Racing to roll out the red carpet, as Punchestown Racecourse swings open the doors for their 2013 Festival.  This years event will run from Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th April.
The Festival is somewhat known as a fond farewell to the jumps racing season and with a total of 11 Grade 1′s down for decision, we are sure to have quite a spectacle to remember as we say our goodbyes.  As well as the +top class racing on offer, Punchestown also knows how to throw a party with top class food and drink, family fun and some great entertainment available throughout the five days.
The biggest names in racing will be making the trip to Punchestown come festival time and among them will be probably the biggest name in the industry at the minute, Sprinter Sacre.  Nicky Henderson’s superstar will rock up for the opening day of the festival, with his hoards of groupies in toe no doubt, to compete in the Grade 1 Boylesports.com Champion Chase.  After demolishing the field in the Cheltenham equivalent, Sprinter Sacre will be making his journey across the Irish Sea full of zest, but the canny Irish trainer Peter Casey may be about to throw a spanner in the works for the champ.  Casey’s own leading light Flemenstar is touted as a possible challenger to Sprinter Sacre in the Grade 1 event and what a match up that would be.
Elsewhere on day one is the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle over 2 miles and the Grade 1 Growise Novice Chase over 3 miles.  The best novices in the business will turn up to compete in the two races with some big prize money on offer.
Day 2 will see the renewal of the highlight of the Irish Chasing calender, the Punchestown Gold Cup over 3 miles.  The best 3 milers around will go to battle and punters will be hoping for a better time of it this year as Mouse Morris’ China Rock caused a huge upset at 20/1 in last years race.  Elsewhere on the card is the Betchronicle Champion Bumper, a race which has proven to be a great breeding ground for future champions.  Last years winner Champagne Fever went on to win this years Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
There is another big clash on the cards on Day 3 of the festival as two Cheltenham winners will go to battle in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.  Irish superstars Quevega and Solwhit will challenge each other in the Grade 1 race over 3 miles and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in a battle between man and woman.
Another Irish Cheltenham hero Hurricane Fly will try to defend his Rabobank Champion Hurdle on day 4 of the festival.  ’The Fly’ has won the race for the last 3 years and if Cheltenham is anything to go by, he seems to be in even better form this year.  An ominous sign for any potential challengers.  The Champion Hurdle is one of the most popular races of the year and usually attracts a huge crowd, which makes for a great party atmosphere.
The final day of the festival is family day and has loads on offer to keep the whole family entertained including face painting, bouncy castles and a lot more.  The AES Champion 4 Year Old Hurdle is the feature race on the day and is a fitting end to the festival as we get to witness the top youngsters strut their stuff.
The Punchestown Festival is one of the stand out events of the racing calender and here’s hoping that they get the weather and the attendances that they deserve.  Now that Cheltenham is fading from our view in the rear view mirror, I for one can’t wait to get my festival fix again.

Should be a belter and some serious offers to be had. BoyleSports and Laadbrokes are sponsoring the Champion Chase and the World Hurdle so thats 2 free days racing if you get in early and get the free tickets in the shop.