Punchestown Festival: Gaelic Warrior returns, 16/1 outsider and Mullins’ title push on Day 2

The only angle worth looking at on Wednesday is the second day of the Punchestown Festival. We have eight races to sink our teeth into and the highlight is the Punchestown Gold Cup, which is set to feature the Cheltenham and Irish Gold Cup winners.

We’ve picked out some interesting angles to consider, including the return of Cheltenham hero Gaelic Warrior, an intriguing 16/1 British raider and the possibility of Willie Mullins usurping Gordon Elliott in the trainers’ championship. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Punchestown Gold Cup

A field of five has been declared for this race but realistically, there are only two runners we really need to take note of. Gaelic Warrior was last seen winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, producing a thoroughly dominant performance, and looks well set to follow up.

There’s always a chance that his exertions took too much out of him and that would leave the door open for stablemate Fact To File. He was supposed to run in the Ryanair Chase but was withdrawn due to the ground and will be bang in the mix, having won the Irish Gold Cup last time out.

Gavin Cromwell runs 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin is a much better horse in the spring and he kept on well to finish third at Cheltenham in March.

18:05

Punchestown

Gaelic Warrior

Analysis

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Harry Derham sends an unbeaten novice

Le Frimeur (16/1, bet365) represents the powerful Souede and Munir partnership and the five-year-old has won both starts over hurdles to date. Obviously more will be required at this level, and we’ll learn plenty about him here, but it would be out of character for Derham to send over a no-hoper.

16:15

Punchestown

Le Frimeur

Analysis

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Mullins hunts down Elliott

The Irish trainers’ championship is still up for grabs and the Punchestown Festival is going to decide who wins it. There’s loads of prize money on offer on Day 2 and Willie Mullins could swing the pendulum in his favour, with a significant number of strong chances.

Soir De Garde is well fancied in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle and Doctor Steinberg can make his presence felt in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle. Punchestown Champion Bumper runner Dromard absolutely bolted up at Gowran last time out.

King Alexander has every chance in the big handicap chase, whilst the Punchestown Gold Cup is all but guaranteed to be his, with Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File both hailing from his yard.

17:25

Punchestown

King Alexander

Analysis

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