Punchestown Festival Day: Wednesday Tips — May 13, 2026

Punchestown Festival Day: Wednesday Tips — May 13, 2026

A full eight-race card at Punchestown on good ground, and the going suits sharp, accurate jumpers rather than sluggers who need cut. The card is dominated by maiden hurdles and handicap hurdles across both 2m and 3m trips, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott both fielding strong hands. Mullins has been running at a 15% strike rate over the last 14 days from a massive book of rides, while Elliott is managing roughly 7% from a huge operation. The trainer to watch is Ross O’Sullivan, quietly ticking along at 4/15. Andrew McNamara is worth noting too: 2 from 4 in the last fortnight is a yard in form.

4:47 — Ladbrokes Maiden Hurdle (2m)

Selection: Noemie De La Vis — Paul Townend up for Willie Mullins. Yes, 3/10 is barely a price, but this is as close to a banker as you will find on the card. The filly carries an RPR of 110 and a TS of 89, comfortably the highest figures in an eight-runner field. Mullins is running at 19 wins from 126 runners over the last fortnight and Townend knows every blade of grass around Punchestown. She stays 2m on good ground and the form figures show ability even if consistency has been the mild question. This is a weak maiden. Back her and move on.

The only realistic danger is Porcupine Bank for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy at 7/2 with Boyle Sports. An RPR of 102 makes him the second-best horse in the race on figures, and if Noemie underperforms, he picks up the pieces. Worth a small saver each-way at that price.

5:20 — Ladbrokes Mares Maiden Hurdle (2m, 18 runners)

Selection: Full Of Shade Each-Way — Paul Townend again, and Mullins again, but this is a very different proposition. Eighteen runners, a mare who has shown ability on limited starts, and a price of 7/2 with Boyle Sports and Betfred. An RPR of 114 is the standout figure in this field, and the good ground is not going to be a problem. Mullins runs mares with purpose late in the season, and Townend booking tells you plenty about stable intentions.

Aruntotheen for Jessica Harrington and Donagh Meyler at 9/2 is the main market rival. An RPR of 119 on paper looks higher than Full Of Shade’s 114, but the form reads 62670 and that consistency has never quite arrived. At a big price relative to ability, Full Of Shade each-way looks the play. With 18 runners paying three places at 1/5 odds, the place part of the bet has real value.

5:50 — Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Div I (2m, 22 runners)

Selection: Hickeys Hill Each-Way — Andrew McNamara’s yard has landed 2 from 4 in the last 14 days, which is a serious strike rate for a smaller operation. Hickeys Hill sits at 11/2 with Boyle Sports and Betfred, has an RPR of 100 and a TS of 93, and the form figures of 07015 show a horse who finds a way to win when conditions click. Good ground at 2m in a 22-runner handicap, five places at 1/5 odds, and a trainer firing: this ticks every box for a proper each-way play.

Low Style at 13/2 with Boyle Sports deserves mention: an RPR of 103 is among the stronger figures here and Barry Connell has hit 1 from 4 recently. Worth monitoring in running. Laurie Blue at 9/1 has solid figures (RPR 105) but the form reading of 5176P needs explaining before getting involved.

6:20 — Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Div II (2m, 22 runners)

Selection: Tippin And Tappin — Rian Lane (7lb claimer) for Enda Bolger at 9/2 with Boyle Sports and Betfred. The form figures of 2/111 tell the whole story: this gelding has won three from his last four completed starts and arrives at Punchestown on a roll. Bolger has returned 2 wins from 6 runners in the last fortnight, so the yard is not cold. In a 22-runner handicap with open each-way terms, backing a horse with a hat-trick sequence in his form is straightforward value at this price. The claimer’s allowance helps with the weight, and good ground over 2m suits a horse who has been winning on quick surfaces.

Marian Avenue at 8/1 for C Byrnes is worth a second look if you want a longer price in what is a competitive heat, but the form is inconsistent. Tippin And Tappin is the standout selection.

6:50 — Ladbrokes Maiden Hurdle (3m)

Selection: Captains Speech — Henry De Bromhead’s six-year-old is odds-on at 4/6 with Boyle Sports and Betfred, but with an RPR of 127 in a field where the next best is The Rebel Fox at 114, this is a case of a class horse in a class-less race. De Bromhead has gone 5 from 43 over 14 days which is a respectable clip for a big yard, and Darragh O’Keeffe is a polished partner for this kind of job. The form of 1/22 shows a horse who wins and places: two seconds last time out is not a horse going backward, it is a horse who has been meeting better. Drops into this company and should be too good.

Quest For Answers at 5/1 is interesting: won last time out and is unexposed, but the RPR is absent and taking on a 127-rated rival in a small-field hurdle on debut form alone is a stretch. Lemmy Caution for Elliott at 11/2 cost serious money as a pointer and the spotlight notes he should fare better over obstacles than he did in bumpers. Place money is his more likely destination.

7:20 — Ladbrokes 3m Handicap Hurdle Div I (21 runners)

Selection: Sheer Raz Each-Way — Gavin Cromwell has hit 6 from 69 over the fortnight, which is a healthy rate from a big book, and Keith Donoghue knows how to ride Cromwell’s horses over a test of stamina. Sheer Raz at 7/2 with Boyle Sports and Betfred has an RPR of 101 and a TS of 75, and the form of U/535 shows a horse running consistently in the places without quite getting his head in front. Three miles on good ground at Punchestown is a different challenge to softer conditions, and a horse rated 101 at this mark in a 21-runner field with five places paid has genuine place prospects at minimum.

Where Are You Now at 9/4 for Enda Bolger is the market leader and the yard is in form. An RPR of 102 is solid, but at 9/4 in a 21-runner handicap you are taking a short price for a horse yet to win over hurdles. Sheer Raz at 7/2 is the better value angle.

7:50 — Ladbrokes 3m Handicap Hurdle Div II (20 runners)

Selection: Annie Button — Jack Kennedy for Peter John Flood, and Flood’s yard has returned 1 from 4 recently. Annie Button’s form reads 0P26-1: a winner last time out, stepping up in trip to 3m at Punchestown on good ground. An RPR of 98 and TS of 93 are the strongest figures among those at the foot of the weights, and a mare who has just won will have confidence. Kennedy at his best over 3m hurdles at Punchestown is a serious booking from a small stable, and at 4/1 with Boyle Sports and Betfred, there is genuine value here ahead of the Cromwell runner.

Journey So Far at 5/1 for Gavin Cromwell also has Keith Donoghue aboard and the RPR of 110 is the highest in the field. However, the form reads 9F078: too many question marks over consistency for a horse who should be winning from that mark. Annie Button’s freshness and winning momentum makes her the call.

Today’s NAP