2022 Punchestown Festival Preview

After the major spring jumping festivals in the UK at Cheltenham and Aintree, focus now shifts to the scenic grounds of Punchestown in County Kildare for the grand finale of the Irish jump racing season.

The highly anticipated match-up between Champion Hurdle victor Honeysuckle and the exceptional Constitution Hill is off the table. Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson, isn't traveling for next week’s Paddy Power Champion Hurdle, but anticipation remains high as the five-day declarations are in for the initial two days of the event. Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Trainer Willie Mullins, famed for his success with Un De Sceaux, a two-time winner of the Punchestown Champion Chase, aims to shine again on the festival's opening day, possibly with another Denham Red-sired gelding.

Tuesday – Day 1

The horse in question is Energumene, who experienced his first defeat over fences against Shishkin in January's Grade 1 Clarence House at Ascot. However, with Shishkin underperforming at Cheltenham, Energumene bounced back, securing a decisive eight-and-a-half length victory in March's Champion Chase.

The betting market hints that the most significant challenge could come from stablemate Chacun Pour Soi, last year’s victor of this race, despite falling early in the Cheltenham marquee race.

Another runner from Mullins' barn, Allaho, seems geared more towards Wednesday’s Punchestown Gold Cup, a highlight on the mid-week card.

In the Grade 1 novice hurdle that kicks off the festival, the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle over an extended two miles, Dysart Dynamo—a Supreme Novices faller at Cheltenham—may clash with stablemates Sir Gerhard, State Man, and El Fabiolo.

Dysart Dynamo turned heads winning a Grade 2 over two miles here in January. While Sir Gerhard shares favoritism with him for Tuesday’s showdown, logic suggests the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner is more likely to participate in Friday’s Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over 2m4f.

For State Man, Mullins has an up-and-coming talent who made his debut placing at Auteuil in May last year. After a first-race fall at Leopardstown in Ireland, he justifies favorite status, winning twice more, including the Grade 3 County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. El Fabiolo, another contender from Mullins nearing market leads, narrowly lost to Supreme Novices runner-up Jonbon at Aintree earlier this month, marking him as another strong candidate.

Among the remaining entries, Gordon Elliott's trio presents Three Stripe Life as a standout, consistently placing in Grade 1’s, including twice behind Sir Gerhard and once behind stablemate Might Potter, before an impressive Aintree victory.

Cheltenham’s cross-country and Punchestown’s banks races may not appeal to all but add variety to the big festival, with the Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase For The Ladies’ Perpetual Cup as the day one feature. Good Bye Sam might represent Mullins here after a hunter chase win at Tramore, though notable cross-country specialist Enda Bolger entered only one for this task. Dual-point winner De Nordener, donning JP McManus's celebrated colors, joins as Bolger’s sole hope. earlier this month.

In the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, Bob Olinger appeared a fortunate winner last time, arriving at Cheltenham already boasting two previous victories, including a Grade 3 triumph back in January. He is a leading contender in the Grade 1 novice chase field, joined by Grade 3 runner-up Capodanno.

Wednesday’s card features three Grade 1 races, headlined by the Punchestown Gold Cup, where Allaho may chase a first three-mile win since his novice hurdles days. Last year’s champion, Clan des Obeaux, the sole UK participant, demonstrated prowess with a Grade 1 Aintree win earlier this month, overcoming him at Kempton’s King George VI Chase, Tornado Flyer returns. Minella Indo, who was runner-up, once bested probable favorite Allaho three years ago in a novice event here.

Facile Vega dominated the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and aims to keep his record intact at Punchestown. Stablemate Impulsive Dancer, unbeaten across two outings, and Lily du Berlais, aligned with Stuart Crawford’s team, share the same unbeaten status. American Mike endured his first setback at Cheltenham, coming runner-up.

Wednesday – Day 2

In the Grade 1 Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle, over nearly three miles, The Nice Guy stands to put his untarnished record on Willie Mullins' line, following a five-length dominance over another potential contender, Minella Cocooner, in last month’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup Later in the meet, Honeysuckle and Vauban are prime candidates for their respective Friday and Saturday assignments. Sir Gerhard is another potential fan favorite in Friday’s Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Epatante made a strong impression winning a Grade 1 over 2m4f at Aintree this month and could cross the Irish Sea for Saturday’s Mares Champion Hurdle, likely clashing with Telmesomethinggirl, who was unfortunate to fall when pacing well in Cheltenham’s Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

Klassical Dream eyes a successive champion win in Thursday’s Champion Stayers Hurdle. Meanwhile, Gentleman de Mee, Gabynako, and Blue Lord populate Thursday’s other competitive Grade 1 event roster.

Thursday – Saturday

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