Going report from Punchestown The ground at Punchestown for the first day of the festival is yielding (Hurdle/Chase) and yielding, good to yielding in places (Cross Country), and watering is ongoing. It's set to be dry with temperatures in the mid- to late teens, and a possibility of 10mm (approx) of rain on Thursday night into Friday morning. The first of eight races gets under way at 2.30pm and the William Hill Champion Steeplechase (6.05) , which features the clash of Majborough, Marine Nationale and Il Etait Temps, is today's highlight. The latter has been the one for money this morning and is currently a shade of odds-on to follow up last month's win in the the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
