The win also completed a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins, the fourth winner of the day for the Closutton handler.

Queen of the two-milers

𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 is a class apart in the @Boodles Champion Hurdle.@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/KuTdylMNws

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

Lossiemouth tracked the leaders throughout the two-mile championship race before taking second place on entering the home straight. As the crowd cheered from the packed Punchestown stands, the Rich Ricci-owned mare made her move.

She soon quickened away from the field before staying on impressively for a five-length victory over the 2025 Cheltenham Champion Hurdler Golden Ace (11/1), with Lorcan Williams in the saddle.

”She has it all.”

Paul Townend gives us his verdict on another special performance from Lossiemouth pic.twitter.com/CWJTa9CHE5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

Wilful, trained in England by Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill, who had lead or disputed the lead in the earlier stages of the race, kept on one-paced for third, eight lengths behind the runner-up.

The post Lossiemouth gives Mullins & Townend Punchestown Champion Hurdle win appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Competing in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, the Audrey and Greg Turley-owned grey was the first part of a Grade 1 double on the day for trainer Willie Mullins and stable jockey Paul Townend.

CLINGS ON

Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner King Rasko Grey scrapes home from the fast-finishing Lord Byron in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle @punchestownrace. @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/9HfEidpfwS

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

The French-bred six-year-old gelding held off the late challenge of British-trained Lord Byron as the Faye Bramley-handled son of Camelot continued to close the gap with the line approaching.

As they hit the winning post, King Rasko Grey had a head advantage over the Harry Cobden-ridden four-year-old.

Kiely’s Place (10/1), also representing the winning handler, took third under the trainer’s son, Patrick.

The post King Rasko Grey & Paul Townend win Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The 11-year-old son of Sholokhov delighted the thousands who descended on the County Kildare venue on Thursday as he claimed his 11 career success over jumps.

Bob Olinger lands the @Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle pic.twitter.com/n3ATPJ6cSU

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Ridden by jockeys’ title-chasing Darragh O’Keeffe, who rode a treble on the third day of the Festival to reduce the deficit between championship leader Jack Kennedy and himself to three, rode in the Robcour colours aboard Bob Olinger.

The Henry de Bromhead star received a tremendous reception from the crowd when he entered the winner’s enclosure a lap of the parade ring to applause from the crowd.

"He read the script."

Bob Olinger bows out with victory at Punchestown. Lovely stuff with owner @BrianAcheson pic.twitter.com/zmkOvsFgD4

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Jimmy Du Seuil (9/1), trained by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, took the runner-up position, three-quarters-of-one length behind the winner.

Teahupoo, in the same ownership as the winner, but trained in County Meath by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy took third, three-and-a-half lengths further back, on ground that likely wasn’t ideal for him.

The post Bob Olinger Retires After Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle Success appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The complexion of the race changes totally at the final fence as race favourite Kopek Des Bordes (4/11f) and Paul Townend fell when it looked as though they would head for victory.

Drama! Kopek Des Bordes exits at the second-last (seems to be OK) & Salvator Mundi picks up the pieces in G1 under Harry Cobden pic.twitter.com/y421jo6dra

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

Cobden, who will be owner J.P. McManus’ retained jockey next season, got Salvator Mundi to rally bravely, and the Joe and Marie Donelly-owned French-bred ran out a 12-length winner over Irish Panther (15/2), who had lead the field for most of the two miles and 75 yards’ race.

“We probably got a little bit lucky.”@CobdenHarry on G1 glory for Salvator Mundi pic.twitter.com/O7fIwBvqSG

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026

The Kieran Buckley-ridden runner-up had 30 lengths to spare over the third-placed Jacob’s Ladder (18/1) representing the Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy team.

The post Salvator Mundi wins G1 Novice Chase as Kopek Des Bordes crashes out at the last appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding became the first horse since Sizing John to complete the big National Hunt double.

Ridden towards the rear of the field for most of the race, Paul Townend was happy to allow Fact To File (13/8) and Mark Walsh set the pace.

Cheltenham hero Gaelic Warrior is majestic in the @Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/689GGOjTSl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026

Grangeclare West (28/1) and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin (8/1) disputed second and third for most of the 3 mile 213 yards race, with the Rich Ricci-owned Gaelic Warrior next, with Danny Mullins aboard Champ Kiely (33/1) in last position.

Once Townend decided to make his move, the result of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup never looked in doubt, as the Closutton inmate ran out a most impressive 26-length victor.

The J.P. McManus-owned Fact To File was runner-up, with Grangeclare West and Brian Hayes in third, 28 lengths behind the runner-up – completing a trifecta for Willie Mullins-handled horses in the five-runner contest.

"Class, wasn't he?"

You can say that again, Paul! pic.twitter.com/DC9kcyTwDB

— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 29, 2026

Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthink, also in the McManus colours, was fourth, another 37 lengths back, with Champ Kiely failing to finish.

The post Gaelic Warrior is hugely impressive in Punchestown Gold Cup display appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Riding the Gordon Elliott-handled runner, Halford and With Nolimit ran out one-and-three-quarter length winners of the Grade 1 Race & Stay at Punchestown Champion Bumper.

More Grade 1 glory at @punchestownrace for @gelliott_racing!

With Nolimit lands the @raceandstay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race from Cheltenham hero The Mourne Rambler under a delighted Josh Halford pic.twitter.com/mhRo8tryRe

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026

The Mourne Rambler (11/8), the winner of the Champion Bumper at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and the race favourite this afternoon, took second under Declan Lavery.

Boycetown (5/1), representing Gavin Cromwell and Derek O’Connor, was third, three-quarters-of-a-length behind the runner-up.

“I can’t believe it.”

Josh Halford didn’t know he was riding With Nolimit until a few hours ago.

The rider is now a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/G8HeADqV0R

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 29, 2026

The post With Nolimit gives Josh Halford his first Grade 1 victory appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Unbeaten – and now a Grade 1 winner!

Le Frimeur gives trainer @Harry05Derham a landmark winner in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/MkiggN0FvK

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026

Carrying the double-green colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the French-bred son of Gemix got the better of favourite Zanoosh (11/4) and Brian Hayes by six-and-a-half lengths at the end of the two mile seven furlong and 190 yards race.

I Started A Joke was third for father and son combination Charles and Philip Byrnes, six lengths behind the runner-up.

"A dream realised."

Grade 1-winning trainer! @Harry05Derham @punchestownrace | @LydiaHislop pic.twitter.com/IGcnDPUYpb

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026

Fourth place went to Fruit De Mer (8/1), runner-up in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on his previous outing, for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The post Le Frimeur is a first Grade 1 training success for Harry Derham appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A small but select field contested the William Hill Champion Chase over two miles, with Willie Mullins accounting for four of the field, namely Il Etait Temps, Majborough, Energumene and Blood Destiny, with Barry Connell’s former Cheltenham Festival winner, Marine Nationale the other contestant.

The enigmatic Majborough with Mark Walsh in the saddle, and the Seán Flanagan-ridden Marine Nationale dominated the early stages of the Grade 1 race as they set the tempo out front.

Cheltenham hero Il Etait Temps follows up in the @williamhillire Champion Chase! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/cMLNnHW5kZ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

Paul Townend on the race favourite, Il Etait Temps, and Danny Mullins on the 12-year-old Energumene, for whom it would be his final race, were third and fourth, with Brian Hayes and Blood Destiny bringing up the rear.

As the pace increased on entering the home straight, Lisgoold-born Townend came with his challenge on the grey son of the late Jukebox Jury. The victory for the French-bred never looked in doubt as he ran out a five-length victor over Marine Nationale, the only Irish-bred in the race.

"You can take nothing away from the winner."@swflanagan7 on Marine Nationale and "a nice race" from the returning star after the pair finish second in the @williamhillire Champion Chase @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/IVrYG7S8qz

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

The brave Energumene took third on his final racecourse appearance, 23 lengths behind the runner-up. Majborough was a further 10 lengths behind in fourth position, with Blood Destiny last home, a further 19 lengths adrift of the J.P. McManus-owned Majborough.

Willie Mullins pays tribute to the 12yo Energumene after the fantastic chaser is retired after his third in the William Hill Champion Chase at @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/D0WK1XLo77

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

The post Il Etait Temps completes Cheltenham-Punchestown Champion Chase double appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Gordon Elliott-handled seven-year-old son of Westerner gave the trainer and stable jockey Jack Kennedy their only winner of the day when taking the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.

18/1 chance Western Fold lands Grade 1 honours in a thrilling Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase! @punchestownrace @jackkennedy15 | @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/cz1lUqcgUT

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

Fleur In The Park (11/1), winner of the Grade 1 Willow Warm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, claimed the runner-up spot on this occasion, three-and-three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Representing the trainer and jockey combination of Andy Slattery and Cian Quirke, the son of Grange Stud-based stallion Walk In The Park, had four-and-a-half lengths in hand on the third-place finisher Nowwhatdoyouthink (33/1) at the line.

"An unexpected one!"

Jack Kennedy on Grade 1 glory aboard Western Fold which puts him one further clear in the title race.

"I can't put my finger on it," adds the rider on El Cairos @Franmberry | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/DXhKT3B5pn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

The post Western Fold gives Elliott & Kennedy Grade 1 win in Champion Novice Chase appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ridden by Seán Flanagan, the seven-year-old gelded son of Westerner, lead, or disputed throughout the extended two-mile race.

The winner is trained by Barry Connell, who also co-owns the victor with Tim O’Driscoll.

16/1 winner of the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle!

Eachtotheirown makes all under @swflanagan7 for Barry Connell in the opening Grade 1 of the week at @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/YiQ9GzSJPs

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

A 135-rated hurdler, Eachtotheirown ran out a four-and-a-quarter length winner over Blake (17/2) from the Noel Meade yard.

The runner-up, ridden by Donagh Meyler, had a two-and-three-quarter length advantage over Le Labo (9/1) and John Gleeson at the line.

El Cairos (2/1), the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite, disappointed, eventually finishing in fourth place, a further length-and-a-half behind the third-placed horse.

"Happy days!"

There's more to come from Grade 1 winner Eachtotheirown next season and likely over fences, @swflanagan7 tells @Franmberry @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/nHF6QaLhlv

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2026

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