Punchestown Festival Tuesday Preview & Trends

2025 Punchestown Festival Tuesday Highlights

An excellent Tuesday card kicks off the five-day Punchestown Festival, featuring three Grade 1's headlined by the Champion Chase over two miles.

The other two Grade 1's are for the Novice division, the first of those is the Champion Novices Hurdle over two miles 100 yards and the Champion Novice Chase over three miles 120 yards.

We have also taken a look at the past trends for the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle over two miles 100 yards, a Grade B event worth 50,000 euros and the Goffs Defender Bumper over the same distance worth 100,000 euros.

We hope you enjoy reading our Punchestown Festival trends preview which will hopefully pinpoint some winners over the five days, good luck!

• 15:40 - Champion Novice Hurdle
• 16:15 - Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle
• 16:50 - Goffs Defender Bumper
• 17:25 - Punchestown Champion Chase
• 18:00 - Punchestown Champion Novice Chase

2025 Champion Novice Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis

The opening Grade 1 race of the Punchestown Festival is the Champion Novice Hurdle, a race that is run over a trip of two miles and half a furlong where the runners will face nine hurdles, the race is open to novice hurdlers who are aged five or older.

When looking over the past 20 renewals, a time of 3:45.40 was set by Clopf in 2007, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by E J O'Grady and ridden by Barry Geraghty. The slowest winning time was set in 2013 when Jezki won in a time of 4:10.60, booked to ride was Barry Geraghty on this Mrs John Harrington trained runner.

These are the top three quickest-run Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals:

• 2007 - Clopf (3:45.40)
• 2008 - Jered (3:47.20)
• 2004 - Brave Inca (3:47.80)

How competitive is the Champion Novice Hurdle 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 108%. The race in 2004 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 124%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Champion Novice Hurdle, the over-round has been 115% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £115 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 Novice Hurdle next time out then you would have backed a total of 8 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -1.96.

Champion Novice Hurdle Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Champion Novice Hurdle:

Leading Trainers in the Champion Novice Hurdle

• W P Mullins - 10 wins and 8 places from 40 runners (+13.25)
• Noel Meade - 3 wins and 0 places from 12 runners (+2.50)
• Mrs John Harrington - 2 wins and 0 places from 6 runners (+14.00)

The leading trainer in the Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 10 times. Those 10 winners came from Hurricane Fly (2009), Blackstairmountain (2010), Faugheen (2014), Douvan (2015), Cilaos Emery (2017), Draconien (2018), Klassical Dream (2019), Echoes In Rain (2021), Facile Vega (2023) & Mystical Power (2024). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Champion Novice Hurdle are Noel Meade (3 wins), Mrs John Harrington (2 wins) & E J O'Grady (2 wins).

Leading Jockeys in the Champion Novice Hurdle

• Paul Townend - 2 wins and 1 place from 10 rides (-2.33)
• Jack Kennedy - 1 win and 3 places from 5 rides (+16.00)
• Mark Walsh - 1 win and 0 places from 4 rides (-1.00)

The leading jockey in the Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 2 times. Those 2 winners came from Blackstairmountain (2010) & Facile Vega (2023).

Champion Novice Hurdle Trends

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

• 20 / 20 (67%) - Not in a G3/LST/Cl2/Cl5 (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (69%) - Achieved an RPR of 131+ (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (69%) - Highest Placed is not G3/Cl2-5
• 20 / 20 (72%) - Ran in 4 - 9 races (Non-Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (75%) - Achieved an RPR of 136+ (Career)
• 20 / 20 (78%) - Break of 12 - 148 days (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Ran in 2 - 5 races (180 Days)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Had 2 - 5 placings (180 Days)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Dam is not GB/ITY/JPN/NZ bred
• 20 / 20 (81%) - No bigger than 25/1
• 20 / 20 (83%) - Placed within last 2 starts
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Is not GB/ITY/NZ/USA bred
• 20 / 20 (85%) - No bigger than 7/1 (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Beaten no more -16½l (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Had 1 - 4 wins (180 Days)

2025 Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis

Sandwiched between two Grade 1 races on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival is his handicap hurdle which is run over two miles and half a furlong (100yds) where a total of nine hurdles are to be jumped in a Grade B race which is open to runners who are aged four or older.

When looking over the past 21 renewals, a time of 3:41.30 was set by The Last Hurrah in 2006, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Mrs John Harrington and ridden by Andrew Leigh. The slowest winning time was set in 2013 when Il Fenomeno won in a time of 4:14.90, booked to ride was Paul Carberry on this Noel Meade trained runner.

These are the top three quickest-run Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle over the last 21 renewals:

• 2006 - The Last Hurrah (3:41.30)
• 2008 - Bambootcha (3:44.30)
• 2007 - Window Of Hope (3:49.40)

How competitive is the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 21 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2019 when the race had an over-round of 122%. The race in 2007 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 170%, whilst on average over the last 21 renewals of the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, the over-round has been 144% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £144 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 21 if you had followed the winner of the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle next time out then you would have backed a total of 1 winner. Backing all 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -10.00.

Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle:

Leading Trainers in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle

• W P Mullins - 6 wins and 11 places from 54 runners (+21.20)
• Gordon Elliott - 2 wins and 2 places from 29 runners (+9.00)
• Mrs John Harrington - 1 win and 6 places from 25 runners (-8.00)

The leading trainer in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle over the last 21 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 6 times. Those 6 winners came from Kellys Craft (2004), Johnny McGeeney (2011), True Self (2018), Jazzaway (2021), Bialystok (2023) & Daddy Long Legs (2024). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle is Gordon Elliott (2 wins). Two trainers have not had the best of times over the last 21 renewals in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Henry De Bromhead has sent a total of 19 runners to the race without recording any wins whilst A J Martin has sent out 12 without a winner.

Leading Jockeys in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle

• Paul Townend - 2 wins and 3 places from 12 rides (+3.20)
• Danny Mullins - 1 win and 0 places from 10 rides (+5.00)
• L P Dempsey - 1 win and 0 places from 7 rides (+19.00)

The leading jockey in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle over the last 21 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 2 times. Those 2 winners came from Johnny McGeeney (2011) & Daddy Long Legs (2024). There is one jockey who has not had the best of times in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, Mark Walsh has sent a total of 16 rides to the race without recording any wins.

Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 5,18,4,2,(2,6,14),3,2,2,(7,SU),5,13,15,8,10,8,7,10,PU,3,1

• 21 / 21 (78%) - Within the first 15 of the market
• 21 / 21 (84%) - Dam is not ARG/BRZ/GER/SAF/USA bred
• 21 / 21 (84%) - Beaten no more -23l (Debut)
• 21 / 21 (84%) - No bigger than 25/1
• 21 / 21 (85%) - Not in a Cl3/Cl6 (Debut)
• 21 / 21 (85%) - Not BB/BG/BL/BR/GR/RO in colour
• 21 / 21 (86%) - Ran in 1 - 10 races (1 Year)
• 21 / 21 (88%) - Ran in 5 - 36 races (Career)
• 21 / 21 (89%) - Had 2 - 14 placings (Career)
• 21 / 21 (89%) - In a field of 5 - 22 (Last Win)
• 21 / 21 (89%) - Ran over 1m2f - 2m2½f (Last Win)
• 20 / 21 (80%) - Furthest Won 1m7½f - 2m2½f
• 20 / 21 (84%) - Highest Placed is not Cl3/Cl5
• 19 / 21 (74%) - Won by at least 1l (Last Win)
• 19 / 21 (82%) - No bigger than 20/1 (Career Place)

2025 Goffs Defender Bumper Preview, Trends & Analysis

A valuable bumper that features on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, the Goffs Land Rover Bumper is open to runners who are aged either four or five with the race being run over a trip of two miles and half a furlong (100y).

**Just to note, the trends can be tricky in this race, 15 of the last 20 winners had never seen a racecourse before meaning the availability of trends is restricted.

Over the last 20 renewals, it was the W P Mullins trained Quiscover Fontaine ridden by Emmet Mullins who set the fastest winning time in the Goffs Defender Bumper, the runner won the race in a time of 3:41.10 which was set when winning the race in 2008. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Mr B O'Neill with Commander Of Fleet who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 4:18.40 in the 2018 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Goffs Defender Bumper over the last 20 renewals:

• 2008 - Quiscover Fontaine (3:41.10)
• 2006 - Glencove Marina (3:41.40)
• 2007 - Gonebeyondrecall (3:42.20)

How competitive is the Goffs Defender Bumper market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2022 when the race had an over-round of 125%. The race in 2004 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 186%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Goffs Defender Bumper, the over-round has been 143% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £143 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 Goffs Defender Bumper next time out then you would have backed a total of 9 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -1.72.

Goffs Defender Bumper Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Goffs Defender Bumper:

Leading Trainers in the Goffs Defender Bumper

• W P Mullins - 6 wins and 3 places from 25 runners (+24.75)
• Gordon Elliott - 5 wins and 4 places from 22 runners (+36.00)
• Robert Tyner - 2 wins and 1 place from 13 runners (+23.00)

The leading trainer in the Goffs Defender Bumper over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 6 times. Those 6 winners came from Glencove Marina (2006), Quiscover Fontaine (2008), Moyle Park (2013), Very Much So (2014), Adamantly Chosen (2021) & Predators Gold (2023). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Goffs Defender Bumper are Gordon Elliott (5 wins) & Robert Tyner (2 wins). Two trainers have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Goffs Defender Bumper, Paul Nolan has sent a total of 11 runners to the race without recording any wins whilst Henry De Bromhead has sent out 10 without a winner.

Leading Jockeys in the Goffs Defender Bumper

• Mr Derek O'Connor - 2 wins and 2 places from 16 rides (+1.00)
• Mr B O'Neill - 2 wins and 2 places from 14 rides (+15.00)
• Mr P W Mullins - 2 wins and 2 places from 14 rides (-6.25)

There are multiple leading jockeys in the Goffs Defender Bumper over the last 20 renewals with all of Mr Derek O'Connor, Mr B O'Neill & Mr P W Mullins having all won the race 2 times. Mr Derek O'Connor winners have been with Gonebeyondrecall (2007) & Vision Des Flos (2017). Mr B O'Neill winners have been with Coeur De Lion (2016) & Commander Of Fleet (2018). Mr P W Mullins winners have been with Moyle Park (2013) & Predators Gold (2023).

Goffs Defender Bumper Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 13,7,PU,1,12,1,4,(7,13),4,1,18,(1,7),2,3,15,19,20,8,4,11

• 20 / 20 (81%) - No bigger than 33/1
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Within the first 16 of the market
• 20 / 20 (91%) - Not GB bred
• 20 / 20 (91%) - Is a Gelding
• 19 / 20 (77%) - Dam either FR or IRE bred
• 19 / 20 (94%) - Not wearing any equipment
• 17 / 20 (79%) - Not a 5lb claimer
• 15 / 20 (72%) - Ideally a bay

2025 Punchestown Champion Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Punchestown Champion Chase is a Grade 1 chase that is open to runners aged five or older and is run over a trip of two miles where a total of eleven fences will be faced. Look out for runners who ran in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival who then come here, Sprinter Sacre in 2013 was the last runner to win both races.

When looking over the past 20 renewals, a time of 4:04.50 was set by Twist Magic in 2008, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by R Walsh. The slowest winning time was set in 2012 when Sizing Europe won in a time of 4:31.70, booked to ride was A E Lynch on this Henry De Bromhead trained runner.

These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Champion Chase over the last 20 renewals:

• 2008 - Twist Magic (4:04.50)
• 2017 - Fox Norton (4:05.60)
• 2014 - Sizing Europe (4:05.90)

How competitive is the Punchestown Champion Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2006 when the race had an over-round of 107%. The race in 2010 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 124%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Punchestown Champion Chase, the over-round has been 115% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £115 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 Champion Chase 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 -6.24.

Punchestown Champion Chase Past Winners

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

Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Champion Chase

• W P Mullins - 7 wins and 8 places from 36 runners (-2.69)
• Henry De Bromhead - 2 wins and 4 places from 15 runners (-5.38)
• Paul Nicholls - 2 wins and 1 place from 4 runners (-0.20)

The leading trainer in the Punchestown Champion Chase over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 7 times. Those 7 winners came from Golden Silver (2010), Felix Yonger (2015), Un De Sceaux (2018), Un De Sceaux (2019), Chacun Pour Soi (2021), Energumene (2022) & Energumene (2023). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Champion Chase are Henry De Bromhead (2 wins) & Paul Nicholls (2 wins). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Punchestown Champion Chase, Gordon Elliott has sent a total of 11 runners to the race without recording any wins.

Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Champion Chase

• Paul Townend - 5 wins and 1 place from 11 rides (+10.81)
• Danny Mullins - 1 win and 1 place from 4 rides (+2.00)
• Mr P W Mullins - 1 win and 1 place from 2 rides (+3.50)

The leading jockey in the Punchestown Champion Chase over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Golden Silver (2010), Un De Sceaux (2019), Chacun Pour Soi (2021), Energumene (2022) & Energumene (2023).

Punchestown Champion Chase Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 1,2,1,5,1,1,3,2,1,1,F,5,2,2,2,2,1,1,1,3

• 20 / 20 (58%) - No bigger than 12/1
• 20 / 20 (70%) - Within the first 5 of the market
• 20 / 20 (71%) - Achieved a TS of 130+ (Last 3)
• 20 / 20 (71%) - Won within last 4 starts
• 20 / 20 (75%) - Carried 159 - 166lbs (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (78%) - Had 6 - 22 wins (Career)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Ran in 4 - 21 races (Class)
• 20 / 20 (82%) - No bigger than 16/1 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (82%) - Carried 159 - 166lbs (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (83%) - Highest Won is not G3/Cl2-4
• 20 / 20 (83%) - Achieved an RPR of 149+ (Class)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Placed within last 3 starts
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Ran over 2m - 2m4½f (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - In a field of 3 - 12 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Ran over 1m1f - 2m2f (Debut)

2025 Punchestown Champion Novice Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis

One of three Grade 1 races to feature on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase is open to runners who are aged five or older, those runners will have to jump a total of eighteen fences over this three miles and half a furlong (120yds) trip on their way to being crowned champion novice chaser.

The runner which holds the record over the past 17 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2012 renewal when Sir Des Champs from W P Mullins under the guidance of Davy Russell, won in a time of 6:57.30, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Air Force One, trained by Charlie Mann and ridden by Noel Fehily set the quickest time of 6:16.10 in the 2008 renewal.

These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Champion Novice Chase over the last 17 renewals:

• 2008 - Air Force One (6:16.10)
• 2007 - Offshore Account (6:16.50)
• 2014 - Carlingford Lough (6:20.40)

How competitive is the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 17 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 108%. The race in 2013 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 124%, whilst on average over the last 17 renewals of the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase, the over-round has been 115% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £115 which is bet.

Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 17 if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase next time out then you would have backed a total of 2 winners. Backing all 15 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -9.00.

Punchestown Champion Novice Chase Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase:

Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase

• W P Mullins - 5 wins and 5 places from 28 runners (+3.54)
• Gordon Elliott - 3 wins and 2 places from 13 runners (+21.63)
• Noel Meade - 1 win and 1 place from 5 runners (-2.37)

The leading trainer in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase over the last 17 renewals is W P Mullins who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Kempes (2010), Sir Des Champs (2012), Valseur Lido (2015), Colreevy (2021) & Capodanno (2022). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase is Gordon Elliott (3 wins).

Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase

• Mark Walsh - 2 wins and 2 places from 5 rides (+2.25)
• Danny Mullins - 2 wins and 0 places from 4 rides (+19.00)
• Donagh Meyler - 1 win and 0 places from 1 ride (+7.00)

There are two leading jockeys in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase over the last 17 renewals with both Mark Walsh & Danny Mullins who have both won the race 2 times. Mark Walsh winners have been with Capodanno (2022) & Spillanes Tower (2024). Danny Mullins winners have been with Mount Benbulben (2013) & Colreevy (2021). There is one jockey who has not had the best of times in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase, Paul Townend has sent a total of 10 rides to the race without recording any wins.

Punchestown Champion Novice Chase Trends

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

• 17 / 17 (72%) - No bigger than 8/1 (LTO)
• 17 / 17 (74%) - Off a break of 15 - 47 days
• 17 / 17 (77%) - Break of 16 - 120 days (Last Place)
• 17 / 17 (81%) - Ran in 4 - 9 races (1 Year)
• 17 / 17 (82%) - Achieved a TS of 112+ (Last 5)
• 17 / 17 (82%) - Not in a LST/Cl2/Cl4 (LTO)
• 17 / 17 (85%) - Ran over 2m4f - 3m5f (LTO)
• 17 / 17 (85%) - No bigger than 16/1
• 17 / 17 (85%) - No more than 1 fall (Career)
• 17 / 17 (85%) - No bigger than 6/1 (Last Win)
• 17 / 17 (86%) - Ran over 2m2f - 3m1f (Last Win)
• 17 / 17 (87%) - Beaten no more -16l (Debut)
• 17 / 17 (88%) - Ran in 5 - 16 races (Non-Hcps)
• 17 / 17 (88%) - Not in ENG/SCO/WAL (Debut)
• 17 / 17 (89%) - Furthest ran 2m4f - 3m5f