Day one of the Punchestown Festival is on Tuesday 28 April 2026 this year. It includes two Grade 1 novice events, as well as the Champion Chase, won last year by Marine Nationale.
Dave Young has given us the key trends for every race on the opening day. You can find his thoughts on all eight races below.
14:30 – Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup 3m1f
- ALL of the last 10 winners were sent off 22/1 or shorter
- 9 of the last 10 winners had NOT won a race under rules (only winner who had won under rules won this the year prior)
- 7 of the last 10 winners placed 3rd (2) 4th (3) or 5th (2) last time out (all profitable blind)
- 7 of the last 10 winners were NOT the favourite
15:05 – The Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Hurdle 2m4f
Just two renewals with no viable trends to be applied
15:40 – The Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m1f
- NONE of the last 10 winners last ran at Cheltenham
- NONE of the last 10 winners carried more than 11-04
- 9 of the last 10 winners were sent off at 8/1 or bigger
- 9 of the last 10 winners had NOT won over further than 2m1f
- 8 of the last 10 winners were aged 5 to 7
- 7 of the last 10 winners were rated 125 to 132
- 6 of the last 10 winners trained by Willie Mullins (4) or Gordon Elliott (2) (both profitable blind)
16:15 – Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m½f
- NONE of the last 10 winners were the second favourite
- 9 of the last 10 winners had been beaten that season
- 8 of the last 10 winners were trained by Willie Mullins (+£33.08 to £1 stakes)
- 8 of the last 10 winners last ran at Cheltenham (5) or Fairyhouse (3) (both profitable blind)
- 7 of the last 10 winners had won a Graded race (5 had won a Grade 1)
- 7 of the last 10 winners placed 1st (5) or 2nd (2) last time out (both profitable blind)
- 7 of the last 10 winners were aged 5 (+£31.41 to £1 stakes)
16:50 – Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) 3m1f
- 9 of the last 10 winners had 4-6 runs that season (£29.01 to £1 stakes)
- 9 of the last 10 winners last ran at Cheltenham (5) or Fairyhouse (4)
- 8 of the last 10 winners did NOT win last time out
- 8 of the last 10 winners were sent off between 13/8 and 15/2
- 8 of the last 10 winners had NOT won at about 3m before now
- 6 of the last 10 winners were aged 6 (+£13.01 to £1 stakes)
- 6 of the last 10 winners were trained by Willie Mullins (4) or Gordon Elliott (2) (both profitable blind)
- 6 of the last 10 winners had already won a Grade 1
17:25 – Goffs Defender Bumper 2m½f
- 9 of the last 10 winners were NOT the favourite
- 8 of the last 10 winners were unraced
- 8 of the last 10 winners were trained by Gordon Elliott (5) or Willie Mullins (3)
- 7 of the last 10 winners came from the Top 4 in the betting (1 favourite)
- 7 of the last 10 winners carried at least 11-04
18:05 – William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m
- ALL of the last 10 winners came from the Top 4 in the betting (3 favourites)
- ALL of the last 10 winners were NOT unbeaten that season
- 9 of the last 10 winners had won a Grade 1 before now (7 of those had won multiple)
- 8 of the last 10 winners were rated 164 or higher (Others 158 & 161)
- 8 of the last 10 winners had won over 2m4f or 2m5f in their career
- 7 of the last 10 winners won last time out (+£11.86 to £1 stakes)
- 7 of the last 10 winners were aged 8 or 9
- 6 of the last 10 winners were trained by Willie Mullins
18:35 – The Willie Coonan Memorial Flat Race 2m1f
- 8 of the last 10 winners were NOT the favourite (both favourites were Willie Mullins)
- 8 of the last 10 winners had not raced under rules (only 1 came from PTP)
- 8 of the last 10 winners were NOT trained by Willie Mullins
- 5 of the last 10 winners were ridden by Patrick Mullins (3) or Derek O’Connor (2)