Constitution Hill the star attraction on Day 4 of Punchestown

Constitution Hill makes his Irish bow The penultimate day of an exhilarating Punchestown Festival takes place on Friday, with another ultra-competitive eight-race card on offer for punters - including one of the biggest names heading to the Festival from Britain in Constitution Hill.

The card kicks off at 3.40pm with a two and a half mile hunters chase before the card comes to a close four hours later at 7.40pm with a bumper over two and a quarter miles.

Read below for the latest tips and a full preview of the Punchestown card courtesy of BoyleSports, who offer the latest horse racing odds.

The opening contest of day four sees a field of 14 line up for the hundred chase over the two and a half mile trip (3.40). Eyes Off Annie was a good winner on rules debut in a Cork hunter chase and looks the way to go here to maintain her 100 per cent record in this discipline for trainer Ian McCarthy. Stablemate Fountain House is the main threat, a three-time winner in this sphere and has won twice between the flags since landing a hunter chase at Thurles 57 days ago.

Another hunters chase marks race two on the card (4.15) and Foxhunters second It’s On The Line has set himself up perfectly for this race with that good run at Cheltenham so is tough to oppose. Gordon Elliott’s Willitgoahead is the main danger, a multiple point winner and was third in the Foxhunters behind It’s On The Line.

A Grade 2 mares chase is up next at 4.50 and the very smart chaser Dinoblue could pick up Willie Mullins’ first winner on day four, last seen landing the mares’ chase at Cheltenham and is also on a hat-trick bid here. Stablemate Allegorie De Vassy is the next best, a faller in the race won by Dinoblue at Cheltenham but was a very handy-looking second when taking a tumble so can certainly make her presence felt again.

Plenty are in with a shout in the Listed handicap at 5.25, race four of the day, with Native Speaker shading slight preference for the Henry De Bromhead yard, making a handicap debut after a good third at Fairyhouse when last seen and is taken to get the better of the Joseph O’Brien-trained Common Practice, a group three winner 48 days ago at Thurles.

The first Grade 1 of day four is next up at 6.05 with the Champion Novice Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay lost his unbeaten run at Cheltenham in the Turners but lost little in that defeat so should bounce back here but will face a tough test from Final Demand for the Mullins team, finishing a place behind his main rival here that day.

Plenty of eyes will be trained on race six on the card, the Boodles Champion Hurdle (6.40), as British superstar hurdler Constitution Hill pitches up at Punchestown with something to prove. Not only is Nicky Henderson’s charge making the trip but he is pitched in for a fascinating rematch against Willie Mullins’ State Man, who is bidding to win this race for the third time running. Both were fallers in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Constitution Hill dropping out early but State Man had the race at his mercy before crashing out at the final flight. Henderson’s runner then fell again in the Aintree Hurdle but is still, arguably, the one to beat here. An absolutely belting field also sees superb County Hurdle winner Kargese line up for Mullins and the horse that took advantage of Constitution Hill and State Man’s tumbles at the Festival, Golden Ace, also tackle the two-mile trip.

After the lord Mayor’s Show is the penultimate race on the day four card (7.10) and this two-mile novice hurdle can head the way of Naturally Nimble for Joseph O’Brien, fourth in a Grade 2 at leopardstown two starts back before flopping at Aintree but is back in calmer waters here, with the final bumper of the day (7.40) sees King Rasko Grey get the nod for the Mullins yard, fourth in a bumper on debut at this course 12 months ago but that absence isn’t a concern for such a leading yard.

Punchestown selections - Friday 

3.40 - Eyes Off Annie 

4.15 - It’s On The Line 

4.50 - Dinoblue 

5.25 - Native Speaker 

6.05 - The Yellow Clay 

6.40 - Constitution Hill 

7.10 - Naturally Nimble 

7.40 - King Rasko Grey