Punchestown Festival Wednesday Preview & Trends

2024 Punchestown Festival Wednesday Highlights

Wednesday's Punchestown card includes three Grade 1's spread across each code, first up is the Channor Group Novice Hurdle worth 125,000 euros over 3 miles. 

Then 275,000 euros is up for grabs when the top-staying chasers battle it out in the Punchestown Gold Cup over 3 miles half a furlong.

Potential stars of the future then take centre stage in the 100,000 euro Champion I.N.H. Flat Race over two miles and we will also be taking a look at the trends for the Punchestown Handicap Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs, carrying Grade A status and a purse worth 100,000 euros.

Hopefully, we can pinpoint a few likely winners from the past twenty-year trends. Good luck with your bets!

• 16:15 - Channor Group Novice Hurdle
• 16:50 - Champion INH Flat Race
• 17:25 - Punchestown Gold Cup
• 18:00 - Punchestown Handicap Chase

2024 Channor Group Novice Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis

Takes place prior to the Punchestown Gold Cup on day two of the Punchestown Festival, this Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle attracts some top-class hurdles, the race is run over a trip of three miles in which a total of fourteen hurdles will have to be jumped on way to victory, the race is open to novices who are aged four or older.

The runner which holds the record over the past 19 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2012 renewal when Marasonnien from W P Mullins under the guidance of Paul Townend, won in a time of 6:57.70, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Sir Overbury, trained by Daniel O'Connell and ridden by Robbie Power set the quickest time of 5:31.50 in the 2006 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Channor Group Novice Hurdle over the last 19 renewals:

• 2006 - Sir Overbury (5:31.50)
• 2007 - Casey Jones I (5:36.90)
• 2004 - G V A Ireland (5:41.10)

How competitive is the Channor Group Novice Hurdle market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 19 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 112%. The race in 2007 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 169%, whilst on average over the last 19 renewals of the Channor Group Novice Hurdle, the over-round has been 127% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £127 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 19 if you had followed the winner of the Channor Group Novice Hurdle next time out then you would have backed a total of 6 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -7.57.

Channor Group Novice Hurdle Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Channor Group Novice Hurdle:

Leading Trainers in the Channor Group Novice Hurdle

• W P Mullins - 8 wins and 13 places from 45 runners (-7.69)
• Noel Meade - 1 win and 2 places from 17 runners (-14.75)
• Gordon Elliott - 1 win and 1 place from 11 runners (+4.00)

The leading trainer in the Channor Group Novice Hurdle over the last 19 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 8 times. Those 8 winners came from The Midnight Club (2009), Marasonnien (2012), Killultagh Vic (2015), Bellshill (2016), Next Destination (2018), Galopin Des Champs (2021), The Nice Guy (2022) & Gaelic Warrior (2023).

Leading Jockeys in the Channor Group Novice Hurdle

• Paul Townend - 6 wins and 2 places from 11 rides (+20.56)
• Rachael Blackmore - 1 win and 0 places from 4 rides (+2.00)
• Mr B O'Neill - 1 win and 0 places from 1 ride (+33.00)

The leading jockey in the Channor Group Novice Hurdle over the last 19 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 6 times. Those 6 winners came from Marasonnien (2012), Killultagh Vic (2015), Next Destination (2018), Galopin Des Champs (2021), The Nice Guy (2022) & Gaelic Warrior (2023).

Channor Group Novice Hurdle Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,(1,4),1,1,1,3,1,6,(3,7),3,3,1,3,1,2,1,2,1,1,1

• 19 / 19 (67%) - Achieved a TS of 88+ (Last 3)
• 19 / 19 (68%) - Carried 155 - 163lbs (LTO)
• 19 / 19 (69%) - Had 3 - 10 placings (Career)
• 19 / 19 (72%) - Off a break of 13 - 51 days
• 19 / 19 (73%) - Had 2 - 8 placings (Hurdle)
• 19 / 19 (73%) - Achieved an RPR of 115+ (Last Win)
• 19 / 19 (76%) - Had 1 - 3 wins (Hurdle)
• 19 / 19 (76%) - Had 1 - 4 wins (180 Days)
• 19 / 19 (77%) - Not in a LST/Cl5 (Last Win)
• 19 / 19 (77%) - Made 4 - 11 starts (Non-Hcps)
• 19 / 19 (78%) - Beaten no more -23l (Debut)
• 19 / 19 (81%) - Had 1 - 5 wins (Career)
• 19 / 19 (82%) - Made 3 - 9 starts (1 Year)
• 19 / 19 (86%) - Beaten no more -32l (LTO)
• 18 / 19 (80%) - No bigger than 20/1 (Debut)

2024 Champion INH Flat Race Preview, Trends & Analysis

Ran on the second day of the Punchestown Festival, the race is a national hunt flat race to determine the Champion INH runner for which the Conyngham Cup is awarded. The race is a Grade 1 which is run over a trip of two miles and half a furlong and is open to runners aged between four and seven years old.

The runner which holds the record over the past 20 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2007 renewal when Kings Glen from Thomas Carberry under the guidance of Mr A T Duff, won in a time of 7:56.10, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Leading Run, trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Ms N Carberry set the quickest time of 3:38.60 in the 2006 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Champion INH Flat Race over the last 20 renewals:

• 2006 - Leading Run (3:38.60)
• 2003 - Royal Rosa (3:41.80)
• 2004 - Geill Sli (3:41.90)

How competitive is the Champion INH Flat Race market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2015 when the race had an over-round of 113%. The race in 2003 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 161%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Champion INH Flat Race, the over-round has been 131% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £131 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the Champion INH Flat Race next time out then you would have backed a total of 5 winners. Backing all 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -12.49.

Champion INH Flat Race Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Champion INH Flat Race:

Leading Trainers in the Champion INH Flat Race

• W P Mullins - 5 wins and 7 places from 31 runners (+5.91)
• Noel Meade - 2 wins and 4 places from 13 runners (+4.00)
• John E Kiely - 1 win and 1 place from 5 runners (-3.27)

The leading trainer in the Champion INH Flat Race over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Blow By Blow (2016), Tornado Flyer (2018), Colreevy (2019), Kilcruit (2021) & Facile Vega (2022). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Champion INH Flat Race is Noel Meade (2 wins). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Champion INH Flat Race, Gordon Elliott has sent a total of 13 runners to the race without recording any wins.

Leading Jockeys in the Champion INH Flat Race

• Mr Derek O'Connor - 2 wins and 5 places from 16 rides (+3.38)
• Mr P W Mullins - 1 win and 4 places from 6 rides (-4.47)
• Mr M J O'Hare - 1 win and 1 place from 5 rides (+12.00)

The leading jockey in the Champion INH Flat Race over the last 20 renewals is Mr Derek O'Connor who has won the race 2 times. Those 2 winners came from Canaly (2017) & Kilcruit (2021). There is one jockey who has not had the best of times in the Champion INH Flat Race, Mr B O'Neill has sent a total of 12 rides to the race without recording any wins.

Champion INH Flat Race Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,7,2,4,1,4,7,5,2,(5,8),5,1,UR,4,2,3,2,2,3,1,1

• 20 / 20 (70%) - Beaten no more -16½l (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Not in a Cl2/Cl5 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - In a field of 9 - 24 (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Achieved an RPR of 104+ (Career)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Achieved an RPR of 92+ (Last 3)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Carried 140 - 166lbs (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Highest Placed is not LST/Cl5
• 19 / 20 (63%) - No bigger than 16/1
• 19 / 20 (87%) - Won within last 9 starts
• 18 / 20 (66%) - No bigger than 14/1 (LTO)
• 18 / 20 (71%) - Not in a LST/Cl3 (Last Win)
• 18 / 20 (73%) - Carried 142 - 167lbs (Last Win)
• 18 / 20 (75%) - No more than -16lbs (Vs Max Weight)
• 18 / 20 (80%) - Not on GS/FM (Last Win)
• 18 / 20 (82%) - Not in FRA/SCO/WAL (Last Win)

2024 Punchestown Gold Cup Preview, Trends & Analysis

The feature on day two of the Punchestown Festival is the Punchestown Gold Cup, this is Punchestown's equivalent to Cheltenham's Gold Cup and you usually get runners coming to this race having just run in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The race is a Grade 1 which is open to chasers who are five or older, it is run over a trip of three miles and half a furlong (120 yards) with a total of eighteen fences standing in the way of these potential gold cup winners.

Over the last 20 renewals, it was the Paul Nicholls trained Neptune Collonges ridden by R Walsh who set the fastest winning time in the Punchestown Gold Cup, the runner won the race in a time of 6:09.10 which was set when winning the race in 2008. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer W P Mullins and jockey Davy Russell with Sir Des Champs who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 6:52.80 in the 2013 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Gold Cup over the last 20 renewals:

• 2008 - Neptune Collonges (6:09.10)
• 2003 - First Gold (6:14.50)
• 2007 - Neptune Collonges (6:16.00)

How competitive is the Punchestown Gold Cup market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 110%. The race in 2009 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 122%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Punchestown Gold Cup, the over-round has been 116% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £116 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Gold Cup next time out then you would have backed a total of 5 winners. Backing all 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -2.77.

Punchestown Gold Cup Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Gold Cup:

Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Gold Cup

• W P Mullins - 5 wins and 13 places from 37 runners (-20.67)
• Paul Nicholls - 3 wins and 1 place from 9 runners (+6.23)
• M F Morris - 2 wins and 3 places from 7 runners (+15.80)

The leading trainer in the Punchestown Gold Cup over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Sir Des Champs (2013), Boston Bob (2014), Bellshill (2018), Kemboy (2019) & Allaho (2022). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Gold Cup are Paul Nicholls (3 wins) & M F Morris (2 wins).

Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Gold Cup

• Paul Townend - 1 win and 4 places from 10 rides (-7.80)
• J J Slevin - 1 win and 0 places from 1 ride (+20.00)
• Sam Twiston-Davies - 1 win and 0 places from 1 ride (+3.33)

Punchestown Gold Cup Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,1,1,1,1,3,1,1,4,PU,3,1,1,2,4,1,3,1,2,1,2

• 20 / 20 (78%) - Achieved an RPR of 131+ (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Had 7 - 17 placings (Career)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - No bigger than 20/1
• 20 / 20 (82%) - Made 11 - 30 starts (Career)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Achieved a TS of 102+ (Last 3)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Made 2 - 7 starts (1 Year)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Ran over 1m4f - 2m2f (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Made 6 - 28 starts (Non-Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Made 2 - 6 starts (180 Days)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - In a field of 6 - 30 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - No more than +3yrs (Vs Min Age)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Furthest ran 2m5f - 3m6f
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Fewer than 9 placings (Class)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Made 2 - 16 starts (Class)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Had 2 - 14 placings (Chase)

2024 Punchestown Handicap Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis

Taking place on day two of the Punchestown Festival is a valuable Handicap Chase which is a Grade A chase that is run over a trip of two miles and four furlongs in which runners will have to face a total of fourteen fences, British raiders are worth a second look in the race as they have a good record.

Over the last 19 renewals, it was the A L T Moore trained Notable DEstruval ridden by P A Carberry who set the fastest winning time in the Punchestown Handicap Chase, the runner won the race in a time of 4:59.20 which was set when winning the race in 2008. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer W P Mullins and jockey Paul Townend with Royal Rendezvous who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 5:40.40 in the 2022 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Handicap Chase over the last 19 renewals:

• 2008 - Notable DEstruval (4:59.20)
• 2004 - Prince Of Pleasure (5:01.40)
• 2006 - Euro Leader (5:03.20)

How competitive is the Punchestown Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 19 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2012 when the race had an over-round of 117%. The race in 2005 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 148%, whilst on average over the last 19 renewals of the Punchestown Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 130% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £130 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 19 if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Handicap Chase next time out then you would have backed a total of 1 winner. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -15.50.

Punchestown Handicap Chase Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Handicap Chase:

Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Handicap Chase

• W P Mullins - 7 wins and 7 places from 34 runners (+27.83)
• A L T Moore - 1 win and 1 place from 15 runners (-7.00)
• A J Martin - 1 win and 3 places from 7 runners (-1.50)

The leading trainer in the Punchestown Handicap Chase over the last 19 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 7 times. Those 7 winners came from Jasmin DOudairies (2005), Euro Leader (2006), Jy Vole (2009), Polmar (2010), Scotsirish (2011), Patricks Park (2018) & Royal Rendezvous (2022). There are multiple trainers who have not had the best of times over the last 19 renewals in the Punchestown Handicap Chase, Gordon Elliott (0-12), Henry De Bromhead (0-11), Paul Nolan (0-11), E J O'Grady (0-11) & Noel Meade (0-11) have all failed to produce a single winner despite sending multiple runners to the race.

Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Handicap Chase

• Paul Townend - 2 wins and 1 place from 10 rides (+9.50)
• Jonathan Moore - 2 wins and 0 places from 4 rides (+30.00)
• A P Heskin - 1 win and 2 places from 5 rides (+24.00)

There are two leading jockeys in the Punchestown Handicap Chase over the last 19 renewals with both Paul Townend & Jonathan Moore who have both won the race 2 times. Paul Townend winners have been with Patricks Park (2018) & Royal Rendezvous (2022). Jonathan Moore winners have been with Irish Cavalier (2016) & Foxy Jacks (2021).

Punchestown Handicap Chase Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,2,4,(1,2),1,5,9,8,10,4,5,2,PU,5,7,PU,PU,3,5,F

• 19 / 19 (78%) - In a field of 8 - 29 (LTO)
• 19 / 19 (80%) - Made 10 - 36 starts (Career)
• 19 / 19 (83%) - Achieved a TS of 89+ (Hcps)
• 19 / 19 (83%) - Furthest ran 2m4f - 3m4f
• 19 / 19 (86%) - Fewer than 10 starts (Trip)
• 19 / 19 (87%) - Within the first 14 of the market
• 19 / 19 (88%) - Is not BEL/BRZ/GB/GER/NZ/USA bred
• 19 / 19 (88%) - In a field of 5 - 20 (Last Win)
• 19 / 19 (88%) - Highest Placed is not LST/Cl2/Cl4
• 19 / 19 (88%) - Had 3 - 16 placings (Career)
• 19 / 19 (89%) - Made 1 - 23 starts (Hcps)
• 19 / 19 (89%) - Ran over 1m4f - 2m4f (Debut)
• 18 / 19 (83%) - Beaten no more -34l (LTO)
• 18 / 19 (88%) - No more than +4yrs (Vs Min Age)
• 18 / 19 (89%) - Achieved an RPR of 122+ (Hcps)