The last big jumps festival in either Britain or Ireland takes place at Punchestown in the overlap between late April and early May, and entries were made for the Grade 1 races at the meeting on Monday. 22 have been provisionally entered for the Punchestown Gold Cup, the meeting’s showpiece and mirror of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
That race’s two-time champion Galopin Des Champs has been entered seeking revenge for defeat in the race to Fastorslow a year ago. Martin Brassil’s charge will aim to hold onto his title having unseated at Cheltenham when looking to take down Willie Mullins’ great chaser again.
Recent Aintree Bowl winner Gerri Colombe, second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, is also in the race at this stage, as is Grand National hero I Am Maximus as he looks to step back out of handicap company.
It is unlikely to be Irish only in the race though, as British trainers possess four of the 22 entries to wrestle back the prize for themselves. Bravemansgame was only narrowly beaten in the race last year, while Nicky Henderson appears keen to take the race on with Shishkin after he disappointed at Aintree.
Lucinda Russell trains the other British duo in Ahoy Senor, narrowly downed by Gerri Colombe at Aintree, and Corach Rambler, third in the Gold Cup and fresh after his surprise unseat at the first in the Grand National.
Other Punchestown Entries
Champion Hurdler State Man is the headline act among only seven entries for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle at the course’s big meeting. His Aintree hurdle-winning stablemate Impaire Et Passe is also among the early field alongside Bob Olinger, so infinitesimally denied at Aintree.
Fellow Robcour-owned Irish Point is also in the shake-up, though the biggest challenger to State Man may be Lossiemouth, another stable neighbour and ready winner of the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
She also holds an entry in the Mares’ Champion Hurdle, as does recent Aintree scorer Brighterdaysahead, who could step out of novice company. Nicky Henderson’s Luccia may return to races against her own sex after facing open company at Britain’s two big spring events.
Teahupoo is the clear standout name entered in the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle, where Henry De Bromhead’s mares Lantry Lady and Telmesomethinggirl may take on the boys for the first time after being second and fourth to Lossiemouth at Cheltenham.
Other Cheltenham stars with entries at Punchestown are Gaelic Warrior, Jasmin De Vaux and Ballyburn, though Triumph Hurdle and Brown Advisory winners Majborough and Fact To File received no entries at the meeting.