4 minutes There are two more Grade 1 races to look forward to and at betting.bet we’ll preview both races, running the rule over some of the more fancied horses whilst also providing the latest race odds
Day three of the Punchestown Festival takes place on Thursday and with another eight races to look forward to, there are two more Grade 1 races scheduled. At betting.bet we’ll preview both races, running the rule over some of the more fancied horses whilst also providing the best of today's horse racing betting odds from our betting partners at NAGS Bet.
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase
There are only four horses set to go to post for the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase but amongst them are a couple of real stars of the National Hunt season. Gaelic Warrior is tipped to go off as the short-priced favourite following a superb run in the Arkle at Cheltenham. Paul Townend barely moved a muscle on board Gaelic Warrior at Cheltenham and that Arkle win looks all the more impressive following subsequent Grade 1 success for runner-up Found A Fifty at Aintree.
Il Etait Temps is next in the betting and he has been well held by Gaelic Warrior twice in Grade 1s this season, including last month’s Arkle and the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick in December. However, he has landed two Grade 1 races of his own and his performance when winning the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree makes him a real player here.
Hercule Du Seuil won five straight races before stepping up to Grade 1 company at Aintree. Could only manage fourth in the Maghull Novices’ Chase behind Found A Fifty but certainly capable of improvement and should not be written off at such a big price.
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaelic Warrior | 21-11U1 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 1/4 |
| Il Etait Temps | 2-12131 | W P Mullins | D E Mullins | 9/2 |
| Hercule De Seuil | 111114 | W P Mullins | M P Walsh | 11/1 |
| Mount Frisco | 142242 | J P Ryan | D King | 200/1 |
Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle
There’s another Cheltenham Festival star set to go off odds-on in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle with Teahupoo tipped to follow up his convincing win in Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle by landing this. Teahupoo was fourth in the race last year behind three-time winner Klassical Dream and despite landing two straight Grade 1 races this season his Punchestown form isn’t great. Prior to his fourth place finish in last year’s renewal of this race, Teahupoo’s only previous Punchestown run saw him finish last of 6 in the 2022 Champion Hurdle.
Teahupoo has established himself as the number one stayer but his previous Punchestown failures could open the door to an upset on Thursday. Jockey, J J Slevin has already upset two of the festival’s most-backed horses riding Fastorslow and Banbridge to wins over Galopin Des Champs and Dinoblue respectively. Could he be set to complete a superb Grade 1 hat-trick on board Home By The Lee?
Home By The Lee has not won since landing the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in December 2022 but he put in a decent performance when third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Blinkers retained and more than capable of springing an upset.
Willie Mullins has an excellent record in this race, winning a record ten renewals of the race, including the last three with Klassical Dream and a record four straight renewals between 2010 and 2013 with Quevega. Mullins is represented this year by both Asterion Forlonge and Monkfish. Asterion Forlonge looks the more likely winner of the pair and got the better of his stablemate when winning a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last April before following up by finishing second in last year’s renewal of this race. Well-beaten by Teahupoo at Cheltenham but has since followed up by landing a Grade 3 race at Cork. Monkfish was fourth in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last time out and minor places will again be the aim.
Sire Du Berlais was third in the race last year and has been lightly raced since with just two runs. Solid fifth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and despite his age the 12 year old remains in contention. Lantry Lady is an interesting entry for trainer, Henry de Bromhead. At just six years old, Lantry Lady heads to Punchestown following a fourth place finish over 2m4f in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Certainly looked capable of further and this step up in trip should suit. Rachael Blackmore is back in the saddle after riding Telmesomethinggirl in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle Odds
| Horse | Form | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teahupoo | 1134-11 | G Elliott | J W Kennedy | 8/11 |
| Sire Du Berlais | 4113-75 | G Elliott | M P Walsh | 15/2 |
| Home By The Lee | 15P-353 | J P O'Brien | J J Slevin | 15/2 |
| Asterion Forlonge | 2-05261 | W P Mullins | P Townend | 8/1 |
| Lantry Lady | 1-14 | Henry de Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 9/1 |
| Buddy One | 115P42 | P J Gilligan | J G Gilligan | 10/1 |
| Monkfish | 2/29-1P4 | W P Mullins | Mr P W Mullins | 16/1 |
| No Looking Back | 4/11203- | O McKiernan | P T Enright | 66/1 |
| Whatcouldhavebeen | 28-4351 | J P Fahey | A P Kelly | 66/1 |
| Summerville Boy | 16-0222 | Henry de Bromhead | D J O'Keeffe | 66/1 |
| Franciscan Rock | 33-F475 | M F Morris | R A Doyle | 80/1 |
