Punchestown tips: one key runner from each TV race on day one of the festival

RTE2 will be broadcasting five live races from the Punchestown festival on Tuesday. The action on day one features some high-class names, notably Envoi Allen, Monkfish and Chacun Pour Soi, and we've got you covered for the day's action.

Punchestown festival Tuesday: day one TV tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the opening day of the Punchestown festival

4.15 Punchestown
eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m½f

Free-going mare Echoes In Rain steps up to the highest level for the first time after posting a big personal best when winning by 15 lengths at Fairyhouse this month.

Willie Mullins looks to have all bases covered as he also saddles Blue Lord, who appeared booked for second in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle before falling at the last.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Echoes In Rain

Tends to run freely but looking more talented every time she runs, may cope with Blue Lord

4.50 Punchestown
Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, 2m½f

Magic Tricks leads owner JP McManus's five-strong assault on this big-field 2m½f handicap hurdle, having just been touched off in a similar race at Fairyhouse last time.

Gentleman De Mee is another interesting McManus runner as he was sent off favourite for the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival on his second start for Willie Mullins before finishing in mid-division.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Magic Tricks

Rock-solid form as touched off at Fairyhouse last time

Tuesday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiple bets

William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1), 2m

Allaho was a mightily impressive 12-length winner of last month's Ryanair Chase and runner-up Fakir D'Oudairies has done the form no harm since by winning the Grade 1 Marsh Chase at Aintree.

Willie Mullins drops the Cheveley Park Stud-owned seven-year-old back to two miles – a distance he has tackled just once before in a bumper on his debut for the trainer – against stablemate Chacun Pour Soi and Nube Negra.

Chacun Pour Soi finished third, one place behind Nube Negra, when sent off the 8-13 favourite in last month's Champion Chase and many punters will be happy to give the four-time Grade 1 winner another chance at a course where he has won before.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Nube Negra

Second in Queen Mother, on which he holds Chacun Pour Soi; looks overpriced on that form

5.55 Punchestown
Goffs Land Rover Bumper, 2m½f

Expensive purchase Nonbinding is a half-brother to Grade 1 bumper winner Ferny Hollow and will be fancied to give his stable a third straight win in this race.

Hemlock, fifth on his debut at Clonmel this month and the mount of Patrick Mullins, appears to be the first choice of the Willie Mullins pair.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Nonbinding

Half-brother to five winners including Cheltenham Bumper hero Ferny Hollow, obvious claims

Punchestown tips and odds: six dark horses including an interesting 33-1 shot

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1), 3m½f

A race to savour as outstanding novice chasers Monkfish and Envoi Allen put their sky-high reputations on the line in a fascinating clash.

Monkfish had no problem shouldering the weight of expectation in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, whereas previously unbeaten Envoi Allen couldn't do the same in the Marsh Novices' Chase as he suffered an early fall.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase winner Colreevy makes sure this is not entirely all about the big two.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Monkfish

RPRs of 170 in Leopardstown and Cheltenham wins coming here; very hard to oppose

Punchestown festival free bets

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets when they place a £5 bet. First single & EW bet only. Odds of 1-1 or greater. 2x £/10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Full T&Cs here. 18+.

Read more on day one at Punchestown:

4.15 Punchestown: Paul Townend puts faith in Blue Lord for Grade 1 clash with Echoes In Rain

4.50 Punchestown: Willie Mullins takes aim with seven of the 25 runners in €50,000 handicap hurdle

5.25 Punchestown: Willie Mullins hopes two-mile experiment can make a champion of Allaho

6.30 Punchestown: Envoi Allen v Monkfish, the heavyweight showdown we have all been waiting for

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets