Punchestown Festival day 5 racing tips: Best free bets for Saturday, May 3
Trainer Willie Mullins celebrates another Punchestown Gold Cup success
The final of another cracking Punchestown Festival and the Planet Sport tipsters have their last fistful of red-hot selections for the eight-race card on Saturday, May 3.
The Punchestown Festival draws stumps for another year with two final Grade 1s of the week - the Mares Champion Hurdle (1542) and the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (1650).
Let's begin with a quick run through of our tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.
If you fancy a punt or two, visit Betway which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)
Saturday's Punchestown Festival tips:
14:30 (Punchestown) Vanillier
15:05 (Punchestown) The Short Go
15:42 (Punchestown) Brighterdaysahead
16:15 (Punchestown) Canal End
16:50 (Punchestown) Lulamba
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17:25 (Punchestown) Jalila Moriviere
18:00 (Punchestown) Quantum Boy
18:35 (Punchestown) Jungle Cove
14:30 (Punchestown) Vanillier
The Howden Cross Country Chase will be a competitive cross-country chase to open the day.
Vanillier finished runner-up in the 2023 Aintree Grand National and showed his liking for this course when an easy winner here during February before a Cheltenham Festival third.
Unseated at the venue Thursday but is respected enough to make amends.
Conflated is a former G1 Irish Gold Cup winner who is unexposed in this discipline. Big chance.
Stealthy Tom fell early tackling the La Touche Cup at this track on Thursday. Holds ability to go well.
The Goffer posted a good fifth attempting the aforementioned 4m1f La Touche Cup at this venue on Thursday and holds claims.
15:05 (Punchestown) The Short Go
The Short Go rises in journey following a good fifth in a 3m1f premier handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival and has a leading chance in the Oaklodgelandscapes.ie Handicap Chase.
Dreaming Blue finished second contesting a 3m heavy ground handicap chase two starts back at Sandown. Could be suited by this stamina test. Open to further progress.
Fortunedefortunata found success by 2.25L attempting the Listed Irish Grand National Trial Handicap Chase here two runs back. Holds every chance.
15:42 (Punchestown) Brighterdaysahead
Brighterdaysahead found success last November contesting the G1 Morgiana Hurdle at this venue.
Followed up in the top-level two runs ago at Leopardstown. Ticks plenty of boxes in the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle.
Jade De Grugy indicated ability at the Cheltenham Festival (UK) when 7.5L second in the G1 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle tackling this trip. Big chance.
July Flower was not disgraced attempting the same event finishing fifth that day. Likely to improve further in Ireland. Runner-up in this last year Gala Marceau might feature.
16:15 (Punchestown) Canal End
Canal End displayed best form during March scoring by 4.5L among this company over 3m at Navan. Makes for plenty of appeal in the Palmerstown House Estate Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.
Amirite produced a strong fourth attempting the national course at Aintree (UK) in the 2m5f Topham handicap chase. Likely player.
Monbeg Park found success in this grade three outings back at Leopardstown. Mid-field hurdling here on Thursday. Holds claims.
Battle It Out won narrowly two weeks ago at Fairyhouse. Worth a second look.
16:50 (Punchestown) Lulamba
Lulamba looks an exciting prospect with a success at Ascot preceding a close neck second in the 2m1f G1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival behind Poniros and may reverse form in the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.
Poniros was a shock winner of that event during March. Respect as set to follow up.
Hello Neighbour caught the eye finding success by 0.75L in the top-grade at Leopardstown before a sixth attempting the aforementioned Cheltenham contest. Good chance.
Blue Lemons was a 7L winner at Fairyhouse two weeks ago, so shouldn't be discounted.
17:25 (Punchestown) Jalila Moriviere
Jalila Moriviere maintains a progressive profile in Ireland following a 3L success attempting a 2m mares hurdle at Limerick during March and will get amongst in the Lawlor's Of Naas Handicap Hurdle.
Thecompanysergeant was a smart 2.75L second attempting a 2m5f premier handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Shortlist revisiting hurdles.
Impose Toi indicated ability at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals tackling a similar trip this season. In the mix again.
Wellington Arch was a narrow premier handicap hurdle winner at Aintree over 2m4f a month ago.
18:00 (Punchestown) Quantum Boy
Willie Mullins' Quantum Boy posted an impressive 40L point-to-point success eighteen months ago and has a strong chance in the DAR Golf Construction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race .
Panjandrum showed potential in point-to-points and now goes under rules for top connections. Likely player.
It's Only A Game and Ballyedward both look interesting options.
18:35 (Punchestown) Jungle Cove
Jungle Cove was last seen winning a 7f handicap on the beach at Laytown during September and makes for appeal in the 34th Running Of The "Have The Conversation - Say Yes To Organ Donation" Punchestown Charity Race.
Chutzpal won three times during 2024 including over a similar distance. Holds claims representing Henry De Bromhead's yard.
Presenting Max placed third in a 2m4f handicap chase at Kilbeggan last week. Might feature.
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