Get €50 in free bets with BoyleSports for Day 1 of the Punchestown Festival This year’s Punchestown Festival has been labelled ‘The Great Comeback’ following two years of Covid-related disruptions and what a week it promises to be as Ireland and Britain’s elite National Hunt stars take to the stage. BoyleSports, one of Ireland’s premier bookmakers, is offering new UK and Ireland Customers a generous €50 in free bets plus a free bet if 2nd to the SP favourite across all races on Tuesday. A good place to start when seeking value is with one of the big betting contests of the day, the two-mile handicap hurdle at 4.50. The forecast good ground at Punchestown will suit 14-1 shot Gua Du Large, who represents the formidable duo of Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. The lightly-raced six-year-old landed a big-field handicap at Fairyhouse back in November on good ground, beating one of today’s fancied rivals, Glan. That form was given a boost last week with Glan striking in a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse. Eskylane for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell, who finished fifth behind Glan at Fairyhouse after a long layoff should be sharper for the run and also looks one to keep an eye on. Three Grade 1 races grace the card on Tuesday and the feature Champion Chase boasts a mouth-watering clash between two of Ireland’s top chasers, Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi. Chacun Pour Soi thrives at Punchestown, which suits his front-running style and is unbeaten at the track, having got the better of Allaho by a staggering 5.5 lengths last year. Jockey Patrick Mullins claimed he wasn’t on his A-game when unseating at Cheltenham in March and thinks he may be a ‘better ground horse’. At the prices, the second favourite may be the one to side with although younger rival Energumene won't let him get his own way out in front and it promises to be a great spectacle. Racing fans will be delighted to see Sir Gerhard back in action in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle following his electric performance to win the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Despite running freely through the race, the seven-year-old was foot-perfect at his hurdles under today’s rider Paul Townend and powered to victory up the Cheltenham hill. The form of the Ballymore has worked out nicely with Three Stripe Life, who was seen finishing second, winning impressively at Aintree since. Sir Gerhard faces his talented stablemate Dysart Dynamo, who fell when beaten in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but Sir Gerhard is fancied to get the better of him here. New Ireland Customers get a generous €50 in free bets plus money back on all losers in the 4.15 on Tuesday. Bob Olinger ran out a lucky winner at the Cheltenham Festival following Galopin Des Champs' dramatic tumble at the final fence. It later came to light that Bob Olinger suffered a torn muscle in the race. On form, he looks the likely winner of today’s Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase and he will also benefit from a first-time tongue tie. The Gigginstown duo are interesting with Noel Meade’s Grade 1 winner Beacon Edge looking to bounce back following a lacklustre performance at Cheltenham - the better ground will suit him today. Fury Road, under Jack Kennedy who split Ahoy Senor and L'Homme Presse at Aintree, is another to consider for each-way value. New UK and Ireland Customers get a generous €50 in free bets plus a free bet if 2nd to the SP favourite on all races on Tuesday. *UK & IRE new customers only. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. Free Bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free Bets expire in 7 days. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP address only. Payment method restrictions. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply
