So who’ll be pleased as Punch?
Top trainers battle for title at famous meeting
THE Punchestown Festival kicks off today with thousands expected to descend on the Kildare venue.
The battle between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott for the Trainers’ Championship will reach its finale in what is one of the best week’s racing of the year. Paddy Power estimates around €30million will change hands between bookies and punters over the five days, with 120,000 people set to go through the gates of the course. Feilim Mac An Iomaire from the firm said: “It’s been a vintage season for Irish racing and we’re expecting a grandstand finish this week at Punchestown. “Both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot will be rolling out their big guns and we’re expecting plenty of drama as the week unfolds.” The bookies have come out on top at the major festivals so far this year, but they are fearing things may not go their way this week. Hayley O’connor of Ladbrokes said: “Punchestown is a party that all punters get involved in. “It’s the curtain closer of the season and everyone wants winners in the final act. “The racing festivals have mainly been good for the bookies this season but perhaps we’ll give it all back at Punchestown.” The feature race on day one is the Boylesports Champion Chase, which Cheltenham hero Un De Sceaux is odds-on favourite for. Among the challengers to Mullins’ star are British contenders Fox Norton and God’s Own, as well as Jessica Harrington’s Rock The World. The style stakes will be high for the week, with the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition running over the first four days. Among the judges are Xpose presenter Glenda Gilson, journalist Aisling O’loughlin, RTE’S Blathnaid Treacy and Vogue Williams.