Punchestown Festival Day 1 Tips (Tuesday 28th April 2026)

The Punchestown Festival is one of the highlights of the Irish Jumps season and brings the curtain down on what has been another brilliant campaign.

Taking places just weeks after Cheltenham and Aintree, it often features many of the same top horses, giving us some fascinating rematches and one last chance to profit before the season ends.

There are several top-class races across the week, including the Champion Novice Hurdle and the Champion Chase, both Grade 1 contests that attract strong fields.

With plenty of Cheltenham form on show and some horses arriving fresher after skipping previous festivals, it’s a meeting packed with betting angles.

Here are my Punchestown Festival 2026 tips and best bets.

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Punchestown Day 1 tips (Tuesday)

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for the Punchestown Festival (Tuesday 28th April 2026)

Find my top tips for Tuesday 28th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Punchestown 2.30 Kildare Hunt Club Cross Country Chase For The Ladies Perpetual Cup (5YO plus) 3m1/2f

There are some mouthwatering races at Punchestown on Tuesday but it is safe to say this isn’t one of them. It is a tricky race to kick off a Cross Country Chase for the Ladies Perpetual Cup.

I wouldn’t have a strong opinion but FOUNTAIN HOUSE does come here at the top of his game having won his last three and what we do know is he loves the track so he could justify favouritism.

Willitgoahead pulled up when last seen but has first-time cheekpieces and if bouncing back could ask the most questions of the favourite. Keep On Dreaming needs to improve but is another one in with a chance.

🏇 Bet on FOUNTAIN HOUSE To Win at 6/5 with bet365 🏇

Punchestown 3.05 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle (4YO plus) 2m31/2f

I was with LAUGHING JOHN when he won by eight lengths at Wincanton and I have been waiting for him to run here since.

The owners were keen to send him here and he looks to have a massive chance. He is improving with experience and this trip really seemed to suit last time so despite a 12lb rise he looks to have been targeted at this pot and is good value in the betting.

Daylatedollarshort is progressive having won his last two and with more to come again looks one of the dangers. Sticwiththepricess was a good second at Fairyhouse when last seen and is another one I expect to be in the mix in a good race.

🏇 Bet on LAUGHING JOHN Each Way at 8/1 with Coral 🏇

Punchestown 3.40 Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Listed) (4YO plus) 2m1/2f

A Listed contest now and Nicky Henderson could hold the key again with KHRISMA here.

This mare was pulled up at Kelso last month but she had impressed winning at Market Rasen prior to that and could bounce back quickly here. She remains unexposed and with Cobden up now could have more to come.

Murcia was back to form finishing fifth at Fairyhouse when last seen and definitely has likeable claims coming into this. Davy Crockett has proved a bit frustrating but back on better ground he might be able to leave this seasons form behind.

🏇 Bet on KHRISMA Each Way at 6/1 with Ladbrokes 🏇

Punchestown 4.15 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5YO plus) 2m1/2f

This race very much revolves around El Cairos as if he is at his best he will probably be tough to beat. There is little value in his price though and SOBER is preferred.

The latter failed to fire behind King Rasko Grey at Cheltenham but that was obviously a hot race and he had looked quite exciting prior to that. He has a lot of class about him and could bounce back here if settling better in the early stages.

Of the rest Le Labo showed a good attitude to win a Grade 3 at Naas last time and with his form working out well he could get competitive too. Skylight Hustle fell when last seen but still has potential albeit probably wants softer ground.

🏇 Bet on SOBER Each Way at 6/1 with bet365 🏇

Punchestown 4.50 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5YO plus) 3m1f

Mullins won this race last year with Champ Kiely and has won 3 of the last 5 renewals now. KITZBUHEL has gone from strength to strength this season winning on return at Punchestown before putting in an awesome display of jumping at Kempton.

He unseated at Sandown but was quickly back on the up winning at the Cheltenham Festival last month showing a great attitude to hold off stablemate Final Demand. He is clearly seriously talented and if he gets into that sort of rhythm again they will struggle to live with him here.

Predators Gold has more to come over fences and is feared and Oscars Brother is also quite interesting having unseated in the Grand National last time. If his confidence hasn’t been knocked he might be value to hit the frame.

🏇 Bet on KITZBUHEL To Win at 6/4 with Ladbrokes 🏇

Punchestown 5.25 Goffs Defender Bumper (4YO only) 2m1/2f

I tend not to have a strong opinion in bumpers and that is the case again here. WHISPERED VERDICT does appeal as a bit of each way value for Gavin Cromwell. He is by Almanzor and cost €24,000 so looks the part on paper.

The money seems to be coming already and he could run well first time under Rules.

Mullins won the race 12 months ago with Wonderful Everyday and saddles Altesse Du Luy who looks to have solid claims under Patrick Mullins. Others to note include Abbeyglen as well as Bacharach but it is wide open.

🏇 Bet on WHISPERED VERDICT Each Way at 6/1 with BoyleSports 🏇

Punchestown 6.05 William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5YO plus) 2m1/2f

I can’t wait to see IL ETAIT TEMPS again following that demolishing job at the Cheltenham Festival.

He has won seven Grade 1’s now and was fairly sprinting up the hill at Cheltenham. He made a bad mistake at the last and still won by 10 lengths so it was clearly a career best. If he is in that form here they will struggle to stop him.

Marine Nationale found Majborough too good at the Dublin Racing Festival and has suffered a setback since so is hard to warm to. I think Majborough is the danger to the favourite but he needs to jump better as errors creeped in again at Cheltenham where he was fairly stuffed.

🏇 Bet on IL ETAIT TEMPS To Win at 7/4 with Ladbrokes 🏇

Punchestown 6.35 Willie Coonan Memorial Flat race (4YO only) 2m1/2f

Another bumped to conclude and I do think the market has it right with DELAMOTTE the one to beat.

The yard won this with Lisnagar Fortune back in 2022 and this 4yo seems to have quite a big reputation. He cost €85,000 and is related to some useful horses. He will likely be more forward than most and should run a big race.

Bunker Buster was an encouraging second on debut and has experience on side so can go well again. Mr Ragstone looks the second string but could be capable as well and is another one to look out for. As always in bumpers make sure you check the market as it is often informative.

🏇 Bet on DELAMOTTE To Win at 5/2 with BoyleSports 🏇

My top tip for the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday

Mullins and Townend could clean up at Punchestown on Tuesday and KITZBUHEL is fancied to be hard to stop in the Champion Novice Chase and IL ETAIT TEMPS should back up that Cheltenham Festival romp and complete a big double for the team.

🏇 Bet a Win Double on KITZBUHEL and IL ETAIT TEMPS at 6/1 with bet365 🏇

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