When is the Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is held every year over five days at the end of April. Punchestown week 2024, takes place from Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 3 May. The first race kicks off at 2.30pm.

How much do tickets cost for the Punchestown Festival?

Tickets for the Punchestown Festival cost from €30 for students & U/14's race for free. Up to €149 euro for hospitality packages.

What is the Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is the culmination of the National Hunt season in Ireland. Jump racinga??s top quality horses, trainers and jockeys go head to head and it is a much celebrated week of racing. There are 40 races in total and the feature races are; the Champion Chase, the Punchestown Gold Cup, the Stayersa?? Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle.

Where is the Punchestown Festival held?

Punchestown races are held at Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare. The racecourse is situated southwest of Dublin.

What is the dress code for the Punchestown Festival?

Racegoers are advised to dress smart casual or smart and to be mindful of the weather.

How do I get to the Punchestown Festival?

Punchestown Racecourse is very accessible for those travelling. Marathon Travel runs regular coaches from Aston Quay in Dublin and the journey time is 1 hour. Those travelling from Dublin city centre are able to catch a bus to Naas with JJ Kavanagh & Sons. It is recommended to book online. Shuttle buses run regularly from Poplar Square in Naas., Those flying to Dublin can use the above services or take the train from Dublina??s Heuston Station to Sallins, which is close to Naas.

When does the Punchestown Festival start?

The first race of Punchestown 2025 kicks off at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 29 April.

Punchestown Festival Tips 2026

Updated on Apr 27, 2026

Editor Vincent Finegan has scanned the form and selected his most confident Punchestown tips ahead of a cracking five days of racing.

Expert Tips for the Punchestown Festival 2026

Vincent Finegan's Punchestown Day 1 Tip

El Cairos 4.15 Punchestown, Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

El Cairos was somewhat disappointing in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, only finishing fifth to Old Park Star. I'd be inclined to give him a chance to redeem himself here as on more than one occasion this season he has looked top class.

Read Full Punchestown Day 1 Betting Tips

Vincent Finegan's Punchestown Day 2 Tip

Gaelic Warrior 6.05 Punchestown, Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Gaelic Warrior was supremely impressive landing the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and is a confident selection to win the Punchestown equivalent. He has three wins and a second placing from four previous visits to this course and dropping slightly in distance won't pose him any problems.

Read Full Punchestown Day 2 Betting Tips

Vincent Finegan's Day 3 Punchestown Tip

Kopek Des Bordes 5.25 Punchestown, Barberstown Castle Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1)

Willie Mullins has won the last ten renewals of this Novice Chase and looks almost certain to extend that sequence to eleven this year as he is likely to saddle the first two home from the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham. On that occasion Kargese caused a minor surprise by beating her better fancied stablemate Kopek Des Bordes by 2 1/2 lengths. Kopek Des Bordes was unlucky, making a crucial mistake at the final fence when appearing to have the race at his mercy and can reverse that form here.

Read Full Punchestown Day 3 Betting Tips

Vincent Finegan's Day 4 Punchestown Tip

He's On Fire 6.00 Punchestown, Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

He's On Fire produced a tremendous performance to win a decent Grade 2 Novice Hurdle by 12 lengths at Fairyhouse on just his second start for Willie Mullins. Based on that display it would come as no surprise if he turns out to be better than his Cheltenham Festival scoring stablemate King Rasko Grey here.

Read Full Punchestown Day 4 Betting Tips

Vincent Finegan's Day 5 Punchestown Tip

Wodhooh 4.15 Puchestown, Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Gordon Elliott's star mare can remain unbeaten for the season by landing this Grade 1 contest. Her only defeat in her last eleven races came at the hands of the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Lossiemouth, and with that mare expected to run earlier in the week, Wodhooh can confirm her superiority over Jade De Grugy.

Read Full Punchestown Day 5 Betting Tips

Vincent Finegan

Vincent, who lives on the Curragh in Co. Kildare, is the editor of irishracing.com and has almost 40 years experience in the horse racing industry. He writes a weekly blog on this website covering all aspects of the sport and presents our Irish Angle video show on Mondays. He is a dual winner of The Irish Field naps table.

Punchestown Festival Betting Offers and Free Bets 2026

Find the best betting offers and free bets for the Punchestown Festival coming up from April 28 - May 2 when some of the best National Hunt action in Ireland takes place. Claim your betting offers from below and use the above Punchestown racing tips to spend your free bets.

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