UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

A market check is essential with all the runners tackling hurdles for the first time. Darragh O'Keeffe looks a significant booking for RICH TREASURE, who could be a shade of value. This son of Rich History is a half-brother to a Grade 2 winner over flights and there are several National Hunt winners in his pedigree. Green Heritage will be well schooled coming from Stuart Crawford's stable and is a likely contender in the 'double green' colours. Gavin Cromwell takes the wraps off Ghaiyyath gelding Lunar Stride, who has to be respected, while the Michael Mulvany pair of Dublinia and Hansel The Purse could be in the mix for prize money.
Prediction : 1st Rich Treasure 2nd Green Heritage 3rd Lunar Stride

Marine Tycoon was a market mover on debut at Downpatrick, but unseated in the early stages so it will be interesting to see if the support arrives again. Gavin Cromwell's FIVEANDAHALF has plenty in his favour on his return to action. He ran on strongly for fourth on debut in a Limerick maiden hurdle in March and the three horses in front of him have all delivered since then. He then reverted to a bumper at Ballinrobe in May and showed good resolution to score by the minimum margin. Apache Peak wasn't beaten far when third in a Listed bumper at Limerick and has to come under consideration on his hurdles bow, while Thinkitdontjinxit and Silken Thomas are others with claims.
Prediction : 1st Fiveandahalf 2nd Apache Peak 3rd Thinkitdontjinxit

Henry de Bromhead's THE DOTSKI relished better ground when victorious in a mares' maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe last month and could go in again. There was promise in her first two outings in testing conditions at Fairyhouse and Navan, and there should be more to come from this lightly-raced sort. Amanha is highest rated by some way and would be dangerous if bouncing back to form. Astelia consistently picks up prize money over flights and made the breakthrough at Killarney, so could build upon that. Fraher Field is another recent winner at Listowel and shouldn't be ruled out, while Cleopatra's Needle has plenty of experience and is more than capable on her day.
Prediction : 1st The Dotski 2nd Amanha 3rd Astelia

AVALO shaped well when second at Bellewstown in August and finished a creditable fifth in a tougher contest at Listowel last time. First-time cheekpieces could eke out a bit more from Peter Fahey's course winner and he gets the vote off a workable mark. Boo Radley was unlucky when brought down at Ballinrobe, but gained compensation when scoring at Kilbeggan. He could prove a major player on his handicap debut, while Duke Silver finished a respectable third at this track back in April and looks a bigger threat than Take The Free and Wonderful Everyday.
Prediction : 1st Avalo 2nd Boo Radley 3rd Duke Silver

BUNTING was far too good for his two rivals when a wide-margin winner on his chasing debut on good ground at Ballinrobe in late August. Willie Mullins' charge subsequently ran a big race in the Irish Cesarewitch back on the Flat at the Curragh and reverts to fences with strong claims. Chanceawetmorning landed a beginners' chase at Sligo recently and is preferred to Sir Allen and Miss Fourie, but the less-exposed Vitorio Piel may well emerge as the main threat. The latter won his bumper here in 2025 and has scored over hurdles since.
Prediction : 1st Bunting 2nd Vitorio Piel 3rd Chanceawetmorning

This is a big chance for GORGEOUS TOM to record his first win in almost two years. Henry De Bromhead's charge has run some good races since landing a Grade 3 novice chase in 2024, most notably when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Down Royal in November of last year and more recently when third in the Galway Plate. Croke Park has a bit to find with the selection on running at Down Royal, but could shape well on his first run of the season. He's preferred to the novice chaser Apple's Of Bresil and Smallcraftwarning.
Prediction : 1st Gorgeous Tom 2nd Croke Park 3rd Apples Of Bresil

AUREA FORTUNA ran out a good winner of this race a year ago and might just follow up. An even-money favourite on that occasion, he arrives here on the back of a fair run in a handicap chase over a shorter trip at Listowel last month. That was his first start since the end of April and he might just improve enough to see off My Cullen, who has had a much busier time of it and ran well again from the front when a narrow runner-up at Galway eight days ago. Good ground will certainly suit the consistent Western Model.
Prediction : 1st Aurea Fortuna 2nd My Cullen 3rd Western Model

FRISCO LAD was a very well-supported winner on his debut at Limerick in July and could be hard to beat. His all-the-way success that evening was full of promise and he should be a match for Hutton Star, who was well on top at the line when beating previous Cork winner Hilly Filly on her opening bid at Down Royal. Hill Silver backed up a good run behind Teofil at the Galway Festival when winning at Kilbeggan, while Sharbel came out of the same Galway race to finish a narrow runner-up at Navan.
Prediction : 1st Frisco Lad 2nd Hutton Star 3rd Sharbel