Punchestown Festival Starts Today

The final National Hunt Festival starts today at Punchestown.

Something of an anti- climax with Don Cossack and Thistlecrack having to be withdrawn

Dawn Cossack suffered the old Gold Cup jinx- sustaining a serious tendon injury at exercise and could miss next year's Gold Cup.

Day 1 still features Vautour and Yorkhill

If you are looking for a better value bet - have an each way bet on Automated in the first handicap hurdle.