Festival Trials All Round At Punchestown A whole host of Cheltenham Festival favourites and defending champions are set to participate at Punchestown next Sunday. The eight race card has many exciting entries with the highlight being the Grade 2 Byrne Bros Plc Tied Cottage Steeplechase in which Newmill will make his seasonal debut over fences. Nickname, one of two of Martin Brassil's stable stars, is likely to be the Champion Chaser's biggest danger but the entries for this ?53,000 contest include several talented chasers including Central House, Hi Cloy and Tiger Cry. Martin Brassil, who has also entered 2006 Grand National winner, Numbersixvalverde, in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle was in a confident mood ahead of his stables stars' intended runs and commented 'Numbersixvalverde ran very well last time out and if he has improved like I think he has, he should be there or thereabouts on Sunday. Nickname has already won a couple of Grade 1's this season and while I have to respect a lot of the entrants in the Byrne Bros Tied Cottage Chase, he has beaten a few of them and I would like to think he could come out on top.' Another Byrne Bros Plc sponsored race, the ?55,000 Grade 2 Novices Hurdle should be an equally exciting race with current Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite De Valira expected to run. However, the are several talented individuals with entries including Tolworth Hurdle 2nd Perce Rock, Ladbroke Hurdle favourite Kendor Dine and recent Naas winner, Albanov. The PP Hogan Memorial Cross Country Steeplechase, newly sponsored this year by Sporting Index, one of two cross country races held at Punchestown outside of the festival has attracted excellent entries including the prolific Spotthedifference, Cheltenham Cross Country winner Native Jack and Never Compromise, a cross country winner at Punchestown in November. Dick O'Sullivan, General Manager of Punchestown, pleased with the entries for the Sunday's card commented ' The calibre of the racing here next Sunday will be second to none with Champion Chaser Newmill, Grand National Winner, Numbersixvalverde and a number of other prolific horses all set to run. It is fantastic to have such great mix of racing with two Grade 2 races and a Cross Country race all on the card, providing some real clues to possible Cheltenham Festival outcomes. We also a have a big screen here on Sunday and all racegoers can watch the Ireland / Wales rugby match live at the track.'The going at Punchestown is Soft to Heavy. There were 2 mm of rain overnight. The first race on Sunday is at 1.05pm. Admission will be ?18 and ?10 for OAP's and students. Children under 14 are admitted for free.
