AS THE 2023/2024 jump season comes to a close, it’s time for some Cheltenham Festival scores to be settled at the five-day Punchestown Festival.
This has been a historic season so far with Willie Mullins breaking the 100 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, looking like he is about to be crowned the UK Jumps Champion Trainer for the first time, along with claiming his 18th Irish Jumps Trainer Championship on the final day of the Punchestown Festival.
Now, let’s look at where you can get the best value when betting on the 2024 Punchestown Festival as well as looking ahead to the top Grade 1 action on offer at the best horse racing sites.
🐎 Punchestown Festival Free Bets
Who wouldn’t like to start the five day marathon that is the Punchestown Festival with some of the best free bets on offer?
Below I will give you the top 5 betting offers that you can expect to see for the Punchestown Festival.
Paddy Power – Money back token
As well as Paddy Power’s sign up offer of ‘up to £50 in free bets’, they have recently introduced their newest money back as a free bet offer with their money back token.
This token lets you choose a selected race in which you can activate the token which gives you the chance to get your money back as a free bet if it loses.
You can expect this to be rolled out for the Punchestown Festival.
LiveScoreBet – Money back as a free bet on all losers
LiveScoreBet has quickly become one of the most popular online bookmakers. From their free daily game to their sign up offer of ‘Bet £10 get £20 in free bets’, LiveScoreBet is on the up.
The one free bet offer that they have on offer every Saturday is their money back as a free bet on all losers on one selected race up to £10.
This was used for the Cheltenham Festival and I expect to see it again for the Punchestown Festival.
CopyBet – £50 In free bets sign up offer
There are many ways to enjoy the Punchestown Festival and you will find it hard to top CopyBet’s current sign up offer of ”bet £10 get £50 in free bets.
Simply place your first £10 horse racing bet on any race at the Punchestown Festival and your account will be credited with the free bets once the race result is final.
BoyleSports – £20 In free bets sign up offer
BoyleSports have been running this free bet offer for a long time now, and looks like it is here to stay.
BoyleSports’s current sign up offer of ”bet £10 get £20 in free bets is available to new customers aged 18 and above in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) who sign up via mobile.
Expect to see this offer rolled out for each day of the 2024 Punchestown Festival.
William Hill – Bet £10 get £30 in free bets
This is a big week for William Hill as they sponsor the Grade 1 Champion Chase which is likely going to the likes of current Cheltenham Festival Champion Chaser in Captain Guinness as well as Cheltenham Festival runner up Dinoblue.
When you sign up for a new William Hill account you can use any of your free bets to wager on the William Hill Champion Chase or any race at the Punchestown Festival.
And with William Hill being the main sponsor on day one, expect them to have more exclusive offers for new and existing customers.
🐎 Punchestown Festival – Best Betting Race
Now that we have our Free Bets in our betting accounts, it’s time to look at what races we can potentially use them on.
With no fewer than 10 Grade 1s including the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup where Galopin Des Champs looks to go one better than last season and a plethora of competitive handicaps, we shouldn’t find it hard to get value for our free bets.
Here we will look at what races may be best to get the next Punchestown Festival winner, along with that you will find a link to my daily Punchestown Festival betting tips where I give you the best bets on each day of the 2024 Punchestown Festival.
Now, let’s preview some of the best races at the 2024 Punchestown Festival.
Punchestown Festival Day One Preview – William Hill Champion Chase
Day one of the Punchestown Festival concentrates on speed as the top 2 miles Chasers look to put on a show.
As of now, it is looking like El Fabiolo is heading to Sandown for the bet365 Celebration Chase to take on Jobon as Willie Mullins looks to tighten his grip on the UK jumps trainer championship.
The defection of El Fabiolo to Sandown does take a bit of gloss off this, but with that said we are likely to see current Cheltenham Festival Champion Chasers in Captain Guinness look to back to back in Champion Chases.
But he won’t have it all his own as he will take on top mare Dinoblue who drops in trip after being outstayed over 2m4f in the Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. She has finished in front of Captain Guinness twice this season, but he had valid excuses both times.
One was that he was found to have a heart murmur, and the second time would have been used to get him around and confidence back on the back of an unpleasant experience at Leopardstown.
The current betting has Dinoblue sitting at the top of the market at 5/2, with Captain Guinness, Jonbon, and El Fabiolo as 3/1 (likely to run at Sandown) and Gentleman De Mee is next in at 11/2.
✨ Click here to bet on the William Hill Champion Chase ✨
Punchestown Festival Day One Preview – KPMG Champion Novices’ Hurdle
Even given that the Champion Chase is the highlight race of day one, the Champion Novices’ Hurdle could well eclipse it with the potential clash between Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle winner Ballyburn, and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle first and second, Slade Steel and Mystical Power looking to take each other on here.
If all are declared, then we are in for a treat.
Ballyburn has taken everything before him this season, including a win over Slade Steel at the Dublin Racing Festival, but has yet to meet the son of Annie Power, Mystical Power who comes in here on the back of a win in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Festival.
I for one hope that all three line up at the start because this could end up being one of the races of the week at the Punchestown Festival.
At the time of writing, Ballyburn is a generous looking 6/4 favourite, with Slade Steel at 3/1 followed closely by Mystical Power at 7/2. Others of note here are the County Hurdle winner Absurde and Tullyhill who went off 11/4 favourtie for the Supreme Novices hurdle only to finish a disappointing 12 length 8th.
✨ Click here to bet on the KPMG Champion Novices’ Hurdle ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Two Preview – Channor Group Novices Hurdle
Onto day two of the Punchestown Festival and we start with the top 3 mile novice hurdlers. Like many seasons this division is hard to predict with any of the runners capable of improvement at different stages of the season.
Stellar Story was a shock winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and only for an injury to a stablemate he wasn’t even going to Cheltenham, but can he back that up?
If we are going on the form of the Albert Bartlett then yes, there is every chance as Dancing City who finishes third in the Albert Bartlett has since gone on to win the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle, in so turning the form around with the Albert Bartlett second, The Jukebox Man.
I would be shocked if we saw Dancing City declared for this as he has been through two tough races in the space of just over three weeks, and for that reason, I would be very interested in Quai De Bourbon if he got declared on the back of his effortless win at Ary last weekend.
Others to note would be Chapeau Du Soleil who skipped Cheltenham but warmed up nicely for this with a win at Navan, and Captain Cody who took a huge step forward at the Irish Grand National meeting when taking a Grade 2 Novices Hurdle over 2m4f. The step up in trip should hold no fears for him.
Dancing City tops the betting market at 11/4, with Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story in at 3/1, followed by Quai De Bourbon at 5/1. If you like an ante-post bet then you can get Chapeau Du Soleil at 8/1, and Captain Cody at 201/.
✨ Click here to bet on the Channor Group Novices Hurdle ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Two Preview – Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup
Arguably the highlight of the week, the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup brings the top 3 mile chasers up against each other for the final time this season.
Two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs comes in here on the back of another career best performance, but he was thwarted in becoming only the second horse after Sizing John to win all three Gold Cups in one season (Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup, & Punchestown Gold Cup) as Fastorslow had his measure by 2 ½ length here last season.
But can Galopin Des Champs right the wrongs of last season?
Yes, he should, but he has yet to find his best form when running at Punchestown, and with Fastorslow coming in here on the back of a soft unseating in the Gold Cup, Gerri Colombe gaining his first open Grade 1 at Aintree after his 2nd in the Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs, and add in Shishkin and Hewick, Galopin is going to need to be on top of his game to make history at Punchestown.
As expected Galopin Des Champs is a warm favourite at 4/5, with last year’s winner Fastiorslow in at 3/1, followed by Gerri Colombe at 6/1, and Shiskin at 10/1.
✨ Click here to bet on the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Three Preview – Barberstown Castle Chase
If Gaelic Warrior turns up at Punchestown and not Sandown, then we are in for a treat.
The runaway winner of the Arkle Novices Chase put in a performance that no one really saw coming. Racing left handed has never been his strong point, but the application of a hood seemed to work the oracle.
It’s hard to put anything up against him this far out, and if he does turn up he is near on unopposable, especially racing right-handed.
If you are an odds-on backer, then 2/5 might be an early Christmas present because if we are honest, all he has to do is jump around to win. In my daily review, I will have a horse to follow him home.
✨ Click here to bet on the Barberstown Castle Chase ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Three Preview – Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle
Robcour holds all the aces here with Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner Teahupoo, Champion Hurdle second Irish Point, and the lightly raced Hiddenvalley Lake all at the top of the betting.
But this race revolves around whether Teahupoo can back up his Cheltenham Festival win as connections have said on numerous occasions that he is best when fresh, and with just over four weeks in between races will that be enough for him to show his true running, and that’s before the likelihood that the ground might be quicker than ideal for him.
For me, if Irish Point comes here, he is the one to beat. It doesn’t matter if it is 2 miles or 3, he has the class to compete at any trip.
Conditions will have come in Irish Points favour and with his somewhat proven stamina when winning the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (run at a crawl), he can show that he processes true stamina to take the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle.
The Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle winner Teahupoo sits as a clear 6/4 favourite with stablemate Irish Point close behind at 5/2. You can get 8/1 on Hiddenvalley Lake, and much bigger the rest.
✨ Click here to bet on the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Four Preview – Boodles Champion Hurdle
The highlight of day four of the Punchestown Festival is the Boodles Champion Hurdle, and let’s be honest here, this is not going to be a betting race for many people.
The current Cheltenham Champion Hurdlers, and defending Punchestown Champion Hurdler might only have to deal with a few as four rivals here.
Irish Point is entered here, but he was comprehensively beaten by State Man in the Champion Hurdle and looks set for a crack at the Stayers Hurdle the day before.
You then have Lossiemouth who by the sounds of it will be running in the Mares Champion Hurdle on the Saturday before she heads off to France for the French Champion Hurdle in May, and that leaves you with Impaire Est Passe and Bob Olinger who have yet to get close enough to worry State Man on previous meeting, and then Sir Gerhard and Colonel Mustard, nothing State Man should be worried about.
This is very much State Mans to lose.
Even though you could stick almost anyone on State Man’s back and still win, just sit back and watch him do his thing and claim his 10th Grade 1 victory.
✨ Click here to bet on the Boodles Champion Hurdle ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Four Preview – Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle
As much as we would love to see the clash of Ballyburn, Slade Steel, and Mystical Power on Tuesday, it looks more than likely that Ballyburn will be running here.
Ah shame, yes, but could we possibly see him clash with the classy mare Brighterdaysahead?
I for one hope so. On the back of her shock defeat over 2m1f at the Cheltenham Festival, Brighterdaysahead stepped back up in trip and took apart a field that included the Gallerhers Novices’ Hurdle 2nd and 3rd.
Many are saying that her performance was as good if not better than what Ballyburn showed at Cheltenham, but only time will tell.
If you want to take the chance that Gordon Elliott will take an end of season chance and take on Ballyburn, then you can get as big as 15/2 for Brighterdaysahead to get her head in front. If not, then Ballyburn is currently available at 1/2, and you can only see that getting shorter the more the race cuts up.
✨ Click here to bet on the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle✨
Punchestown Festival Day Five Preview – Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle
Just like the Champion Hurdle on Friday, this looks a one horse race with the superstar mare Lossiemouth looking to back up her Cheltenham Festival win.
There is not much to talk about when Tellmesomethinggirl, the current second favourite in the market has 3 lengths to make up on Lossiemouth, and they were a flattering 3 lengths.
On the day we will know more on who will be lining up against the champion mare, and I am sure there will be some value lurking in the betting without market.
✨ Click here to bet on the Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle ✨
Punchestown Festival Day Five Preview – Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle
We wrap up the Punchestown Festival Grade 1s with the Four Year Old Champion Hurdle, and it’s not often I say that I am looking forward to this.
Bottler’secret, who is co-favourite of three with Kargese and Sir Gino, put in a highly impressive display to take Grade 2 Four Year Old Hurdle at the Irish Grand National Festival at the start of the month.
That performance put him right there with a chance of claiming his first Grade 1 success on only his third run over hurdles.
Kargese, if she was to run, comes in here on the back of a long season, and two very hard races close together. The first of those hard races came in the Triumph Hurdle where she was worried out of it late by her stablemate Majborough, and then turned up at Aintree only to get outstayed by Sir Gino.
It’s looking like Sir Gino will not run again this season, so I think this will be an ideal opportunity for a fresh Bottler’secret claim his first Grade 1 success.
✨ Click here to bet on the Ballymore Mares Champion Hurdle ✨
🐎 Punchestown Festival Betting Tips
Each day Andrew will provide you with his best horse racing betting tips for the Punchestown Festival.
🐎 Punchestown Festival FAQs
1. When is the 2024 Punchestown Festival?
The five day extravaganza of the Punchestown Festival starts on Tuesday, April 30th and ends on Saturday, May 4th.
2. Where can I watch the Punchestown Festival?
If you are not lucky enough to watch the Punchestown Festival at the racetrack, then you can watch every race on selected bookmakers from the top list above, or watch it all on Racing TV, and selected races on RTÉ.
3. Where can I get free bets for the Punchestown Festival?
You can get the best Punchestown Festival free bets from our top list of bookmakers as well as checking out our Top 5 best Punchestown free bets.
4. How do I bet on the Punchestown Festival?
If you have an online betting account, then simply sign in and click on the horse racing tap on the eve or day of racing and you will find every race for the Punchestown Festival. If you don’t have an online betting account you can open a new account through our top list above.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.