Punchestown set for 'race of the season' as Cheltenham stars plan next steps


Inothewayurthinkin, Marine Nationale and Golden Ace could all feature

Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Punchestown set for 'race of the season' as Cheltenham stars plan next steps

Jeremy Scott believes the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown could be 'the race of the season'


Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, Nicky Henderson’s stable star Constitution Hill and Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale are among those set to head to the season-ending Punchestown Festival next month.

Fresh from the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival, which saw 20 Irish-trained horses roared up the hill and back into the winners’ enclosure, attentions swiftly turn to the Grand National at Aintree, Fairyhouse Easter Festival – including the Irish Grand National – and the denouement at Punchestown.

Henderson hopes it will be a scene of redemption for Constitution Hill, who fell during an action-packed Champion Hurdle which was won by outsider Golden Ace.

Winning trainer Jeremy Scott may send the victor over the Irish Sea for a rematch, potentially joining the likes of the aforementioned Constitution Hill, three-time Irish Champion Hurdle winner State Man, Mares’ Hurdle winner Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s promising Brighterdaysahead in a mouth-watering field.

Scott told The Racing Post: "It could be the race of the season if they all decide to go there and Lossiemouth turns up as well.

"We fully appreciate that we were probably very lucky to win at Cheltenham, but Punchestown is always a very good trip, not to be sniffed at if we are able to go.

“That's pretty much our only option left, if the ground behaves and the horse is okay.”

Constitution Hill, who had 10 wins from as many races prior to the Cheltenham slip-up, has never raced under rules in Ireland but could be set for a maiden voyage.

Owner Michael Buckley told The Sun: "The Irish love very good horses. They are fans of good horses. If Constitution Hill gets to Ireland and he happens to run well and win I think the reception will be very, very special. Amazing."

Inothewayurthinkin, meanwhile, could be set to try and add the Punchestown Gold Cup to his collection having stunned the hat-trick seeking Galopin Des Champs at Prestbury Park.

The seven-year-old, who received a hero’s welcome at his homecoming along with the rest of Gavin Cromwell’s stable stars at Skryne GFC on Tuesday, was favourite for the Grand National until his trainer revealed he will not attempt to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to do the Gold Cup/Grand National double.

“He’s only a seven-year-old and we’ve worked hard on his jumping this season, and his jumping has improved an awful lot,” Cromwell said.

“We think it’s the right thing to do. It’s all about doing the right thing for the horse. Punchestown is an option, but it’s certainly not for definite. He’s come out of the race [at Cheltenham] well.”

A rematch with Galopin Des Champs could be on the cards should Willie Mullins decide to aim his dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner at a race the horse has not yet won, having finished second to Fastorslow in each of the past two years.

The opening day of the Festival is likely to witness the distinctive yellow and blue colours of Marine Nationale back on the track as he bids to back up his emotional Champion Chase success.

Trainer Barry Connell said: “At this moment, our intention is to go to Punchestown with him.

“He’s a horse who enjoys good ground and nine times out 10 you get nice ground that has been probably watered at Punchestown, so we’ll be looking forward to that.”

Tickets for the Punchestown Festival are available here.



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