Punchestown racecourse announced details of an exciting new promotion that could see the track reimburse Irish National Hunt Festival tickets purchased between now and St. Patricks day should the Nicky Henderson trained horse ‘Punchestowns’ win the RSA chase at Cheltenham.

The initiative could see thousands of racegoers attend the Punchestown Festival for free this April should its equine mascot land the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase on Wednesday 17th March at the Cheltenham Festival.

Punchestowns is the current favourite for the Grade1, 3 mile chase and is trading at 3/1 with Ladbrokes. Trainer Nicky Henderson, who has enjoyed plenty of success over the years at the Irish National Hunt Festival, commented on the initiative “I think it is a great idea and a great incentive. I promise to do my best to win with Punchestowns at Cheltenham and then lots of Irish racegoers can have a great time at the Punchestown Festival for free. We will be going and the plan is to bring Punchestowns with us!” When asked how the horse’s preparations were going Henderson said “He has only had two runs over fences and although they were very good we would have preferred another before going to Cheltenham. He did make one mistake which was well publicised but we are all entitled to one mistake”.

On launching the initiative Punchestown’s General Manager Dick O’Sullivan said “We have been handed a brilliant opportunity here with a top class horse carrying the Punchestown name. We see this as a novel way to give something back to the loyal clients of Punchestown and where better than in Cheltenham with Punchestowns!

The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival runs from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th April. Group Packages are available from just €29pp, General Admission €30, Reserved Enclosure Admission €40, Student and Senior Citizen Admission just €18.

This offer is open to General Admission and General with reserved Enclosure Admission tickets purchased between 9am Wednesday 24th February and 2pm Wednesday 17th March. Terms & Conditions apply.