Punchestown festival

im making my my first pilgrimage to the festival this year , any tips and pointers what to do most welcome

 

You will probably be staying or going through Naas then one time or another. Pop into the Harbour Court Hotel and try the Orange Cheesecake If it's on the menu! They might throw you a few free tickets too although you will probably have them.

There's various things at the track to do, little markets and stuff like that, other than that it's not dissimilar to other race meetings except a bit bigger.

 

On the racing front Punchestown is a unique track. Horses that don't have form going right handed should be avoided in my view. Lot's of very very short mullins favourites so thinking outside the box is essential.

 

Hope you enjoy the festivel florida.could possibly be the last time the fly runs in Ireland so should be a cracking atmosphere.if your staying in Dublin City centre and have any questions be sure to let me know.

 

We are staying in Dublin. Can u get a train to naas

 

When I went in 2000 we caught a bus from Dublin straight to the course, took about 1 hour.

 

Ste is your man for all things Dublin. As Robbie said there will be many buses running especially for that week Florida so you should have no hassle with transport. Don't get a taxi anyway because it's a good hour from Dublin. Bus should be relatively cheap.

Google "Dublin bus to Punchestown festival" Florida, lots of options there for you.

 

There is a daily pick up to the course outside super value beside o'connell bridge at 12.30.its E18 return if u book online.As the two lads said its an easier way of getting to the course rather than a train/taxi from naas

 

Not long to go. I'll be attending Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday.
Don't know much about Irish racing and would like to know who's hot and who's not trainer/jockey wise. I think I heard someone say you want horses with form going right handed from which courses. On Tuesday we've got a table in the pavilion is this good to see the track, and most important how much for a pint Guinness . Any other info would be welcome.
Btw is anyone else going.

 

Also will I get a better rate for euros in Dublin than at home. Was in Tenerife the other week and they were giving great rates because they want the sterling.

 

The euro to sterling rate is ****e at the moment so you will make a few euros!.You are probably best ordering your euro before you go.Willie Mullins is the king of Punchestown so you wont go far wrong backing his runners.Jessica Harrington has had a good few winners the last couple of weeks and should have a few runners on the card.In the handicapps I always keep an eye out for those two rogues Gordan Elliot and Tony Martin.I d'ont really focus on jockeys but Paul Townsend has been riding superbly at the big meeting of late.Keep an eye on the daily thread of course for tips.C'ant tell you how much the Guinness is as I d'ont drink the stuff,i'm a Carlsberg man myself

 

From what I've heard from my family who live in Ireland, everything has gone very expensive over there, so I doubt what he'll be paying is the equivalent to £2.85 a pint.

Since the euro has been introduced things have gone tits up over there. I've heard a paper that is 30p over here is 2 euros over there now.

 

That Pavilion is reasonably new Florida so I've never been in that. I do know it's located trackside though but it is hard to view the racing from the stands sometimes even at Punchestown when they go out the back as they get so far away from you. Perhaps you could take along or rent some binoculars if you want to keep your eyes on your runners. There's a little hut almost as soon as you enter there that rents them out too if you like.

You should get Guinness for around the €5.50 mark. Don't go paying €7 for the first sign of it, have a walk around there's plenty of bars and familiarise yourself. That Pavilion place will serve beer too. I think you might even get some included with the package you got.

Get there early the first day you go and go have a walk about to get to know the run of the place, it's a big spot so plenty to do. If your unsure of anything I find the crowd that goes racing at Punchestown are always pleased to point someone in the right direction.

I usually go to a day or two every year Florida but one of the lads that always comes with us just got married and we said we would give this year a miss!

 

those ****ing bankers

 

Yep. Might be lucky to get a €5 pint but at the races and other events you will get charged a fair bit extra. You would get a pint for €4 in a normal pub outside of the cities.

Edit:

My brother has just informed me we were paying €6.20 for Guinness last year. Can you tell I had one too many