See Andy Newton’s Punchestown Festival tips on Thursday 30th April 2026, for DAY THREE of their five-day fixture.
With the third day seeing three more Grade One races that include the Champion Stayers Hurdle – a prize Teahupoo looks to win for a third time.
Punchestown Horse Racing Tips (Thursday 30th April, 2026):
ReadHorseRacing’s Andy Newton thoughts on the two Grade One races at Punchestown on Thursday
Plus gives his Punchestown Festival tips ‘any other business’ on the rest of the card.
4:50 – Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+) 2m½f RTE2
Many familiar faces on show here, including Western Diego, who was last seen falling in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Come Walk With Me, Coral River and Raffles Dolce Vita are all recent winners that will have their backers too.
While Golden Joy was a fair second to Jacob’s Ladder (runs in the next) last time at Leopardstown and has been freshened up with three months off.
However, I just wonder if this race has been the target again this season for last year’s winner PETIT TONNERRE.
He’s one of a stack of JP McManus runners in the race and will be ridden for the first time since winning this prize by Richie McLernon.
Trained in the UK by Jonjo O’Neill, this 8yold gets in here only a pound higher than 12 months ago (128).
Plus has had a very similar prep – having run at Aintree last time out (just like last year) too.
🥇PETIT TONNERRE (e/w)
🥈CORAL RIVER
🥉GOLDEN JOY
5:25 – Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m½f RTE2
Some big names have won this Grade One Novice Chase over the years, and it will be a shock if another isn’t being added to the fall-of-fame.
Step forward KOPEK DES BORDES, who should really be getting back to winning ways here.
Last season’s Supreme winner was last seen running second in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, where a jumping error (pecked) cost him late on that day.
He eventually went down by 2 1/4 lengths to his stablemate Kargese, but with 51 days to bounce back will be hard to beat in what doesn’t look the best renewal.
Yes, those against him will look to him losing at 30/100 at this meeting last season but has had a slightly less busy campaign and still has 9lbs in-hand on his nearest rival.
Queen Mother Champion Chase 6th Irish Panther and CD winner Pure Steel can fight it out for the places.
🥇KOPEK DES BORDES
🥈IRISH PANTHER
🥉PURE STEEL
6:05 – Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) 2m7½f RTE2
TEAHUPOO was beaten in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season and then bounced back to take this race.
Something I think he can do again in 2026.
Yes, maybe slightly softer ground might have helped but he won this on yielding ground last season.
It’s also interesting the first-time blinkers are on here too, while you feel his last run can probably be upgraded a bit, having not had the clearest run in the closing stages.
The consistent Bob Olinger will probably in be thereabouts, after his third in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham – but has now only won one of his last seven.
Honesty Policy is a horse I don’t think has quite progressed as many thought but was a fair 5th at Cheltenham too.
But it looks interesting that jockey Mark Walsh decides to get off him and ride the Willie Mullins-trained KAWABOOMGA.
Don’t forget he beat William Munny at Fairyhouse back in January 2025, despite having some issues since has returned in fair form.
Notably running second to Slade Steel last time out at Fairyhouse.
Of the rest, last year’s third Jetara could outrun her odds in a race we know she’s gone well in before.
🥇TEAHUPOO (NAP)
🥈KAWABOOMGA
🥉JETARA
Punchestown Horse Racing Tips – Day Three: Any Other Business Thoughts
The other races on the Punchestown Festival Thursday card will see Willie Mullins trying to win the 2:30pm for a sixth time since 2016.
He has many entered by all eyes will be on the Paul Townend-ridden Leader d’Allier, as he looks to bounce back from run that was too bad to be true last time at Fairyhouse.
But GAMEBALL was impressive here in October and back on good ground this Henry De Bromhead runner in the first-time hood gets the nod.
The 3:05pm looks a bit of a match between the Mullins pair Diamond Du Berlais and FUTURE PROSPECT.
But with Paul Townend picking the last-named, she’s the call and will also enjoy the better ground.
At 3:40pm is the La Touche Cup will see last year’s winner BUSSELTON back for more, but is sure to have a batter again with the runner-up from 2025 – the 11yold Desertmore House.
While the NH Flat race at 6:35pm is a race Willie Mullins has won three times since 2016.
So, his Cheltenham Champion Bumper 6th QUIRYN looks interesting – having only gone down 4 lengths there.
Especially as this 4yold also gets weight from the others.
