Punchestown festival: the key races and lessons to learn for the curtain-closer

A five-day feast of top-quality action brings down the curtain on the Irish season at Punchestown in late April/early May, one last hurrah for jumps fans before the Flat season really gets rolling.

With 12 Grade 1 events and €2.9 million in prize-money up for grabs, the meeting can play a crucial role in deciding the trainers’ championship in Ireland.

Willie Mullins has really been able to rubber-stamp his seasonal supremacy at the Kildare venue in recent times, calling on a powerful spring squad across the 40 races, while jockeys’ championships can also come down to the wire at Punchestown.