Day three of the Punchestown Festival headlines Thursday’s race card line-up and though meetings elsewhere at Ayr, Chelmsford, Doncaster, Lingfield and Redcar provide a decent list of supporting acts, we’re focusing purely on the main event today. Below, we’ve laid out our latest horse racing betting tips for the day’s action.
Best Tip #1: Blood Destiny – Punchestown, 16:15
The Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combination has already been prolific at the Punchestown Festival and the pair’s second appearance on day three could be a fruitful one again.
Well respected on what is his handicap debut, Blood Destiny won a Novice Grade 3 Chase at Navan on March 2nd before finishing in a respectable third at Fariyhouse in a Grade 1 effort at the end of the same month. Expect the five-year-old to be steadily backed on horse racing betting sites in the UK.
Mighty Tom could provide a useful opponent with jockey Jack Kennedy in the saddle. The three-time hurdle winner finished second and third in chase runs at Cork at Cheltenham last year, and though he didn’t shape up quite as well at Thurles (4th) in February, he could be open to progress here.
Blood Destiny’s stablemate Saint Roi is among those with more than solid each-way credentials.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 6/4 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 6/4 |
| Fitzdares | 6/4 |
Best Tip #2: Teahupoo – Punchestown, 18:00
Next up, we head to the Champion Stayers Hurdle a Punchestown where trainer Gordon Elliott has a horse with winning potential in Teahupoo. The 7-year-old has only made two appearances this season, though he shone brightly on each occasion to win at Fairyhouse in December and the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
On that form, Teahupoo will take some stopping and he is taken to deliver the goods for Elliott again.
Gordon Elliott’s Sire Du Berlais is also likely to be in the mix. He won at Cheltenham and Aintree last year and while performances haven’t been as sharp in 2024, his extra freshness could make a difference.
Elsewhere, Wille Mullins’s Asterion Forlonge has appeal at a bigger price. With Paul Townend booked again and with a win at Cork on March 31st to add confidence, he could make a push for an eighth career win.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 8/11 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 8/11 |
| Fitzdares | 8/11 |
Best Roughie: Lucky Lyreen – Punchestown, 18:35
Gordon Elliott’s Lucky Lyreen has been moving along an upward trajectory this year and wins at Punchestown on February 5th and Fairyhouse on March 31st might have laid the foundations for more success today.
The 6-year-old has been pushed up 8lb by the handicappers after that excellent showing in the Novice Hurdle Handicap last month, though he shouldn’t be far away in what should be a competitive race.
Again, Willie Mullins has an entry that has been doing good business on the best betting apps in the ante-post markets. Captain Cody should be suited over this trip having won a 2m 4f Grade 2 event at Fairyhouse last month and the six-year-old should have major claims again with Paul Townend in command.
Coming Up Easy is unexposed and open to improvement for Henry De Bromhead, especially with Rachael Blackmore riding on.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 8/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 8/1 |
| Fitzdares | 8/1 |
Stats and Insights
- Willie Mullins won the Frontline Security Handicap Chase last year with Dinoblue, who ran as an 11/4 favourite. Three of the last five winners of this renewal were won by 6-year-old horses. Our tip today, Blood Destiny, is a year younger and if he wins, he’ll be the heaviest champion in more than a decade at 11-12.
- Ten of the last 11 winners of the Champions Stayers Hurdle were aged 7 or older, while just four of the last 11 winners of the renewal were listed as favourites in the ante-post markets. Trainer Willie Mullins is chasing a hattrick of successive wins in this race. He won the last two with Quevega.
- The Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle was won by AJ Honeyball’s Klibeg King a year ago, and the 9-year-old returns this year to defend his title. Three of the last four winners of this event had a warm-up run 34 days or less before the race. Horses aged eight and 11 won the last two editions of the renewal.
Best Offers and Promotions
Seasoned bettors tend to know just how valuable online betting offers and promotions can be, however, if you’re new to the game, it’s always worthwhile to learn as much about the different bonuses and promos available to you on the market. Indeed, taking advantage of those offers can often give you an edge over the bookies.
Horse racing betting fans in particular are spoilt for choice when it comes to bookmakers’ promotions. For instance, at Betzone, new signups can claim up to £60 in free bets if they open an account and meet certain qualifying requirements. Betzone also provide some of the keenest odds around while their mobile app is as slick as they come. Make sure to read our detailed Betzone review to learn more.
