The Road to Cheltenham names his three best bets for Day 1 of the 2025 Punchestown Festival.
15:40 Punchestown
Who are my best bets on Day 1 at Punchestown? I’ve picked out three fancies for Tuesday’s racing at the 2025 Punchestown Festival, starting with my selection in the 3:40.
Third in the Listed RYBO Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse last weekend, SERIENMOND is turned out quickly and I’d say that would suggest he’s come out of that race bucking and squealing.
He ran a huge race to finish third and has gone up just 1lb for that effort and there could be more improvement to come. Since joining Gavin Cromwell from Tony Mullins, he has gone up from an Irish mark of 107 to 118 and he looks to have more in hand.
Technically 3lbs out of the handicap because of top weight Gaucher, Serienmond will appreciate a pace to aim at and I can see the reliable Conor Stone-Walsh settling him in the early exchanges before making his move late.
16:15 Punchestown
Yes, you read that right – I’m taking Kopek Des Bordes on with SALVATOR MUNDI. He was no match for his stablemate in the Supreme Novices Hurdle but I was very impressed with his attitude at Aintree and the price discrepancy is too big in my opinion.
Many believe that Salvator Mundi prefers better ground and Willie Mullins suggested that there mightn’t be much between the two on homework.
Paul Townend was never going to desert Kopek Des Bordes after the Supreme so I wouldn’t read too much into jockey bookings myself...
He is 3lbs inferior to Kopek Des Bordes on ratings and it’ll be interesting to see if he can get closer to his stablemate. The quicker ground conditions may play a part.
18:35 Punchestown
I’m going to take a flyer on the Gavin Cromwell-trained BUD FOX in the final race on Day 1 as he really caught my eye in his point-to-point success at Belharbour in February and he certainly doesn’t lack for pace.
He looks a very speedy type and I’m hoping he is primed to prevail here, with the yard operating at an 18% strike rate with bumper runners in Ireland this season. The booking of Derek O’Connor can only be a positive too, after riding him in that point-to-point.
Patrick Mullins rides Coutach for the interesting combination of Paul Byrne and Gordon Elliott and he may be the main rival to the selection. However, I’m hoping that Bud Fox has the edge and I’m expecting a big run if he’s fully wound up.
