It could be a ‘Wonderful Wednesday’ for Wille Mullins as the top Irish trainer has some star names declared as he dominates the acceptances in the Graded races on day two of the Punchestown Festival.
The 5.55 pm is the feature event on the programme, the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup Chase where seven-year-old Galopin Des Champs is bidding to remain unbeaten this season after three victories, all at Grade 1 level, including an impressive seven-length success in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. A former winner at this Festival (the 2021 Grade 1 Irish Mirror (War Of Attrition) Novice Hurdle), he bids to do the great Gold Cup Treble after triumphs at Cheltenham and Leopardstown (Irish Gold Cup) in February.
He faces five rivals over three miles including Bravemansgame who was beaten seven lengths when runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, last time Cheltenham Festival winner (Ryanair Chase) Envoi Allen, Fastorslow, Fury Road and last year's Galway Plate hero Hewick.
The first Grade 1 on the card is the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle at 5.20 pm with some exciting types including Gaelic Warrior and Salvador Ziggy. The former will be looking to go one better than when runner-up to the exciting Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham while the latter finished a good second in the Pertemps Handicap a day prior. The race has a strong recent history of future stars including future Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, Galopin Des Champs and Minella Indo.
The third and final Grade 1 contest on Wednesday is the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race over two miles. A Dream To Share looks like a highly promising five-year-old coming into this race unbeaten after four wins including the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last month. It's For Me was fifth that day and re-opposes alongside No Time To Wait (eighth at Cheltenham) and Western Diego who was one place better in seventh.
The 7.45 pm is another good quality looking bumper with the running of the Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares Flat Race at Grade 3 level. Willie Mullins looks to hold a strong hand once more with Fun Fun Fun, Junta Marvel and Fancy Girl all declared.
93 runners are declared across the eight races providing a top-quality card.
