2022 Punchestown Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Arguably the highlight of the entire five-day Punchestown festival is the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55 Wednesday) and a quality field has been assembled for this year's edition. Clan Des Obeaux returns to defend his crown against the likes of Allaho and Minella Indo, while all nine runners have won at least one Grade 1.

5.55 Punchestown Wednesday: Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Al Boum Photo

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner; beaten in last two renewals of this; not force of old

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Bryan Cooper
Odds: 20-1

2 Allaho

2m4f specialist and dual Ryanair winner; 3m poses a question but might get away with it

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 11-8

3 Clan Des Obeaux

Won this after last year's Bowl win and bids to the same here; big player if on his A-game

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Odds: 7-1

4 Fakir D'Oudairies

Grade 1 winner on last two starts; didn't look like he stayed when third in this last year

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Odds: 9-1

5 Galvin

Beat A Plus Tard in December but fourth in Cheltenham Gold Cup; needs decent pace to aim at

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
Odds: 4-1

6 Janidil

Won Grade 1 novice last term; hasn't added to that this term; better runs have come at 2m4f

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Jody McGarvey
Odds: 25-1

7 Kemboy

Four-time Grade 1 winner; in behind Clan Des Obeaux at Aintree; cheekpieces on

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe
Odds: 22-1

8 Minella Indo

Took form to new level to win last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup; second in that race this year

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 6-1

9 Tornado Flyer

Benefitted from strong pace in King George; jumping let him down at Cheltenham; needs rain

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 16-1

The verdict

Decent ground should help Allaho get three miles and he could be hard to peg back if he can get an uncontested lead.

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Read more on the Punchestown festival:

One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch at Punchestown

Confirmed runners and riders for the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday

'It's Chacun's track' – Patrick Mullins excited about Energumene rematch

Big-race fancies: who our tipsters expect to triumph at Punchestown

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