Our Lucky 15 focuses on the action at Punchestown and Pontefract on Wednesday 29 April, as we pick out four selections across the two cards. Day two of the Punchestown Festival is the feature meeting of the day and we pick out a well-fancied selection in the Punchestown Gold Cup at 6.05pm.
Check out our Lucky 15 tips for Wednesday here:
Punchestown Racing Tips (Wednesday 29 April 2026)
An eight race card at Punchestown begins at 2.30pm. Three Grade 1 races light up at the action on day two of the Festival. The feature is the Punchestown Gold Cup at 6.05pm.
4.15 Punchestown – Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle – Doctor Steinberg (1pt win – 9/2)
Having demolished a decent field in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival, Doctor Steinberg was well fancied to follow up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. However, he ran no sort of race in that Grade 1 contest last month. Pulling from an early stage, his failure to relax saw his chance go quickly. Willie Mullins has opted to reach for the hood for the Grade 1 contest at Punchestown at 4.15pm, and that could be the key. He’s likely to be keen again, but if Paul Townend can get him relaxed then he has to be a huge player. The Passing Wife was third in the Albert Bartlett, so is a danger, but Doctor Steinberg is a proven top-class winner.
5.25 Punchestown – Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase – Down Memory Lane (1pt win – 12/1)
A career best when fourth in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham, King Alexander is the one to beat in the 5.25pm at Punchestown. However, Gordon Elliott’s top-weighted Down Memory Lane is the value play in the race. Pulled up in the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham two starts ago, he was then fifth of six in a Graded race at Fairyhouse. But, if you look at his run before Cheltenham, where he landed a Listed event at Navan then a repeat of that run should see him go close here. He’s 6lbs higher than that win, so has to win off 150 here, but Elliott opts for cheekpieces in Wednesday’s contest that should aid his chances. Runner-up behind Lecky Watson in a Graded novice chase on his only visit to Punchestown, the JP McManus-owned raider can outclass his rivals here.
6.05 Punchestown – Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup – Fact To File (1pt win – 11/8)
If Gaelic Warrior can repeat his Cheltenham Gold Cup run then it’s hard to not see him land the Punchestown Gold Cup. However, horses can often struggle to replicate those sort of runs quickly, so it’s worth opting for Fact To File, who bypassed Cheltenham. The dual Ryanair Chase hero was taken out hours before trying to retain his crown last month, but he showed when narrowly beating Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown that he has the capabilities of downing his stablemate. Well beaten in the Irish Gold Cup by Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File hasn’t been seen on the track since, so that break could help him pull clear of Gaelic Warrior in the closing stages.
Pontefract Racing Tips (Wednesday 29 April 2026)
Seven races take place at Pontefract on the flat on Wednesday, with a 1.43pm start. We have one selection from the Yorkshire track to complete the Lucky 15.
3.58 Pontefract – HBLB Supports The National Horseracing College Handicap – The Good Biscuit (1pt win – 6/4)
A winner at Pontefract back in October, The Good Biscuit can strike there again in the 3.58pm. Ruth Carr’s five-year-old followed that win up with a victory at Catterick a week later. He returned off a new mark of 77 and ran well to finish third at Catterick on his first outing of the season. That is sure to have blown the cobwebs off and he can return to winning ways on Wednesday. He only faces five rivals in this event and with fitness on his side should be able to deliver.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Wednesday 29 April
4.15 Punchestown – Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle – Doctor Steinberg (1pt win – 9/2)
5.25 Punchestown – Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase – Down Memory Lane (1pt win – 12/1)
6.05 Punchestown – Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup – Fact To File (1pt win – 11/8)
3.58 Pontefract – HBLB Supports The National Horseracing College Handicap – The Good Biscuit (1pt win – 6/4)
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Punchestown – first race 14:30
- Pontefract – first race 13:43
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Steve Chambers provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Wednesday 29 April, which includes selections at Punchestown & Pontefract.
Who is Steve Chambers? Steve Chambers is the editor and regular tipster and writer for GG. He has over 10 years experience in the industry and has a wealth of knowledge on all things racing.
When were Wednesday’s Lucky 15 tips for Punchestown & Pontefract published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Wednesday 29th April at Punchestown & Pontefract were published at 2.30pm on Tuesday 28th April.
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