Five days to savour - Punchestown festival kicks off with a full-on card that boasts a bit of everything
At the tail end of a jumps campaign that has often provoked as much consternation as it has celebration, the Punchestown carnival kicks off with a full-on card that promises a pulsating antidote to atone for all the aggro.
From Constitution Hill's non-event of a campaign to Willie Mullins' iron-like rule and the ongoing stasis in Britain; or from the Cheltenham Festival's ailing status to the Grand National's new look, things have often been gnarly and contentious. Passionately held views and debate at least demonstrate that there remains a healthy groundswell of ambition to see the game thrive, but there are times when we'd all just prefer to concentrate on the racing.
This week, following on from Saturday's historic afternoon at Sandown, should allow jumps purists to indulge that urge – and what a spread to kick off proceedings.
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- 3.17 Listowel: 'He's been training well' - Joseph O'Brien runs three in race named in honour of Pat Smullen
- 4.40 Hamilton: 'He's a promising horse' - key quotes and analysis for a competitive staying handicap
- 5.10 Hamilton: 'He's in career-best form and holds the course record' - quotes and analysis for a valuable sprint handicap
- 3.05 Chantilly: 'We believe he has enormous potential' - can another star emerge in the Prix du Jockey Club?
- Watch: Paul Kealy, Johnny Dineen and Nick Luck preview the Derby on The Morning Post
- Champions League final double odds boost: get 100-1 for Dortmund to win OR 40-1 for Real Madrid
- Epsom Derby betting offer: get £40 in free bets with Ladbrokes for the big race at Epsom
- Champions League final odds boost: claim Sky Bet's exclusive 50-1 odds for 1+ shots on target during Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham betting offer: get enhanced odds of 40-1 for Bellingham to have 1+ shots on target in the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Champions League final
- 3.17 Listowel: 'He's been training well' - Joseph O'Brien runs three in race named in honour of Pat Smullen
- 4.40 Hamilton: 'He's a promising horse' - key quotes and analysis for a competitive staying handicap
- 5.10 Hamilton: 'He's in career-best form and holds the course record' - quotes and analysis for a valuable sprint handicap
- 3.05 Chantilly: 'We believe he has enormous potential' - can another star emerge in the Prix du Jockey Club?
- Watch: Paul Kealy, Johnny Dineen and Nick Luck preview the Derby on The Morning Post
- Champions League final double odds boost: get 100-1 for Dortmund to win OR 40-1 for Real Madrid
- Epsom Derby betting offer: get £40 in free bets with Ladbrokes for the big race at Epsom
- Champions League final odds boost: claim Sky Bet's exclusive 50-1 odds for 1+ shots on target during Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
- Jude Bellingham betting offer: get enhanced odds of 40-1 for Bellingham to have 1+ shots on target in the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Champions League final