Today’s action from the opening day of the Punchestown Festival is headlined by a race with only four runners but with one of the most highly anticipated clashes for years.

Monkfish and Envoi Allen, trained by Willie Mullins and Henry De Bromhead, are two of the stars of the future and meet for the first time having won almost all before them at differing distances this season.

It’s the equivalent of Anthony Joshua or Mike Tyson meeting Floyd Mayweather or Marvin Hagler at the start of their careers. It will determine, for today at least, the best younger horse in Ireland, which means the best younger horse over fences in the world.

The race is the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase and it will be live on RTÉ 2 at 6-30 PM.

The jockeys will be able to give it everything this week as they will enjoy an extended break in 2021 with no races for professional jump jockeys between June 7th and June 30th.

“I am delighted to see this extended break for the leading National Hunt jockeys in June which will allow them to recharge both physically and mentally,” said Jennifer Pugh, Senior Medical Officer with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

“There is no ‘off season’ for jump racing and this extended period will allow for much-needed recuperation.”

“The changes will apply to the eight National Hunt meetings beginning at Listowel on Monday, June 7 through to the fixture at Down Royal on Friday, June 18. As there is no National Hunt racing from that date until the meeting at Tipperary on Thursday, July 1, this doubles the break for our leading jump jockeys from 12 to 24 days, while at the same time increasing opportunities for other riders for the early part of that period,” said Horse Racing Ireland Director of Racing Jason Morris.

Today’s Selections at Punchestown

4-15 Blue Lord
4-50 Ruaille Buaille
5-25 Nube Negra
5-55 All for Rachel
6-30 Monkfish

 

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