Plans for Willie Mullins‘ runners are beginning to be finalised for the Punchestown Festival. That includes in the feature race of the week, the Punchestown Gold Cup. Both Fact To File and Grangeclare West are likely runners up against Cheltenham hero Gaelic Warrior.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for this midweek.
Fact To File & Grangeclare West on course for Gold Cup clash
The Punchestown Gold Cup only featured four runners last season, but Willie Mullins is due for at least a trio of his own this term. JP McManus’ camp have announced that Irish Gold Cup winner Fact To File will seek to double his golden tally. The nine-year-old missed the Cheltenham Festival after his late withdrawal from the Ryanair Chase due to good ground. However, freshened up since Leopardstown, he will remain up in trip to take on stablemate Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown. (Racing Post)
Another intended runner in the race for Closutton is Grangeclare West. The Cheveley Park-owned ten-year-old unseated Patrick Mullins at the first fence in the Grand National. However, he has previous form at Grade 1 level, including when second behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2025 Irish Gold Cup, when he finished ahead of Fact To File. His owners reported the horse to be fine after Aintree, with Punchestown the intended next step. (At The Races)
Leading British fancy on course for 1000 Guineas
The Prettiest Star, the second shortest-priced British-trained runner in the 1000 Guineas, is on course for the fillies’ Classic. The daughter of Starman ran just twice as a juvenile, including a runaway success on debut. She then stepped up to finish second in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes on the Rowley Mile. Only Venetian Sun is generally a shorter price among British contenders for the Sunday showpiece. Trainer Ed Walker is hopeful a recent racecourse gallop will “put her spot on for the 1,000 Guineas.” (Racing Post)
Cicero’s Gift & The Lion In Winter have miling campaigns mapped
One of two shock winners on British Champions Day is to run at Sandown on Friday. Cicero’s Gift landed the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at 100/1 in October. However, his achievement was usurped two races prior when 200/1 shot Powerful Glory equalled the longest price for a Group 1 winner of all time. Nevertheless, Cicero’s Gift’s win was no fluke, as he won by a little over a length at Ascot. The Group 2 bet365 Mile is his intended return target this week. (Racing TV)
The runner-up at Ascot that day was The Lion In Winter. The Ballydoyle colt remains in training at four and has already made a successful return this season. He defeated stablemate Exzpanded at Listed level at Leopardstown earlier in April. A Group 1 breakthrough is being eyed up for 2026 though, with the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury his intended target in May. (Racing TV)