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We sent a racing novice to Punchestown - here's how he got on

Ryan Bailey had never been horse racing before. Was he able to make some money for charity?

TODAY, WE SENT crack The42 reporter Ryan Bailey – a racing novice – to Punchestown for the first time.

We gave him €100 in cash to start the day, and he bet on every race. All his winnings after the races are over will go to Irish Injured Jockeys — with Paddy Power matching our donation.

Follow how Ryan got on here!

That’s it folks, here Ryan shares how much we made for Irish Injured Jockeys during his day as a novice punter in Punchestown.

Final balance: €134.50

The42.ie / YouTube

Well that didn’t come off too well! Still up for the day though, unlike many punters here.

Now, off to spend our winnings in the pub!*

*Actually, we’ll be donating them to Irish Injured Jockeys.

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The pressure is on for the final race. Here, Darren shares which horse he has his money on for the Flat Race at 7.55.

The42.ie / YouTube

Okay it’s time for the lucky last! We’ve heard big things about Tourboy at 33/1 so we’re going to go all out and put a fiver each way for our final bet of the day.

A view of the race Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

It’s the ultimate race of the day, and your last chance to up your winnings. Here are the odds for the Flat Race, according to Paddy Power:

  • Warthog 9/4
  • Beyond The Law 7/1
  • Moyross 6/1
  • Its All Guesswork 13/2
  • Stowaway Forever 15/2
  • Flemenskill 8/1
  • Greco Romain 10/1

We’ve got the hang of this now! Riven Light is just edged out on the line but a second place finish earns us €14.50 and that’ll do nicely, thank you very much!

We’ve reached the penultimate race of the day and we’re on a winning streak and feeling confident ahead of this one. We’ve lumped a tenner each way on Riven Light and Ruby Walsh, with the help of our next award winner James.

We’ve awarded Jamie ‘Most Colour-Coordinated’ at Punchestown, for a cashmere suit he picked while travelling Vietnam. But which horse is his pick for the Novice Hurdle? Watch below.

The42.ie / YouTube

With less than fifteen minutes to go until the Novice Hurdle, it’s time to place our bet. Here are the odds we’re looking at, according to Paddy Power:

  • Montalbano 3/1
  • Riven Light 5/2
  • Castlegrace Paddy 10/3
  • Avenir Dune Vie 10/1
  • Morgan 8/1
  • Chateau Conti 12/1
  • Chirico Vallis 14/1

Feeling lucky? Here are Paddy Power’s odds for the 6.40 Champion Hunters Steeplechase:

  • On The Fringe 2/1
  • Balnaslow 7/2
  • Monsieur Gibraltar 11/2
  • Mendip Express 9/1
  • Maple Mons 8/1
  • Minella For Value 7/1
  • Sir Des Champs 12/1

And we’ve had our first big win of the day!

We got Barcadys just before the off at 12/1 and a tenner on him means we’re collecting a whopping €130.

Current balance: €160

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Barcadys, you beauty! We’re (finally) on the board and it’s all thanks to the Willie Mullins-trained horse as jockey Patrick Mullins secures a quickfire double! This game is easy!

We’ve found a familiar face to get our next tip. He’s had two winners so far so let’s hope he comes through again.

The42.ie / YouTube

Didn’t win in the Champion Hurdle? Try a bet in the Champion Novice Hurdle. Here are Paddy Power’s odds for the 6.05 race:

  • Finian’s Oscar 6/4
  • Lets Dance 3/1
  • Death Duty 5/1
  • Bleu Berry 9/1
  • Bacardys 10/1
  • Kemboy 14/1
  • Outspoken 10/1

We’re just going to put it down to bad luck, but the pre-race favourite Vroum Vroum Mag comes home in fifth. It hasn’t been our day but where there’s life, there’s hope. There’s still a few races to go!

Congratulations to overall winner of ‘The Best Dressed Lady’, Ann-Marie Phelan from Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Though nothing can really top our tartan-clad ‘Best Suit’ winner, if we’re being honest.

Ann-Marie Phelan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The results of the Champion Hurdle are in and it’s bad luck for Ryan:

  • First place: Wicklow Brave 12/1
  • Second place: My Tent Or Yours 7/1
  • Third place: Arctic Fire 9/2

We’re not the only ones who have our hearts set on a win from Vroum Vroum Mag…

The42.ie / YouTube

We’re putting all our eggs in one basket for this one. €30 on Vroum Vroum Mag. We’ve got everything crossed!

(We’re following tips from Tom Nugent of Paddy Power)

Feeling a little flutter? Here are the odds from Paddy Power for the biggest race of the day, the Champion Hurdle at 5.30:

  • Vroum Vroum Mag 2/1
  • Arctic Fire 9/2
  • Labaik 6/1
  • My Tent Or Yours 7/1
  • Brain Power 6/1
  • Diakali 9/1
  • Wicklow Brave 12/1

A win for Jack Kennedy on Definite Ruby in the last race. The big one is next – the Champion Hurdle. Where should we put our money?

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Okay, let’s not panic just yet. Slowmotion didn’t come through for us but all is not lost as the big one, the Champion Hurdle, is up next. We’re going to put €30 on this one so if you’ve any tips please share in the comments section!

Current balance: €70

Another one bites the dust…

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Right, it’s time for the third race of the day and let’s hope it’s third time lucky for us. We’re getting desperate now. One of our readers, @gergaflood, has told us to go with the 4/1 favourite Slowmotion. Fingers crossed!

But who won the second award, I hear you ask?

It has to go to Greg Bryce, who wins ‘Best Suit’ for this superb tartan outfit. The look is now complete with one of our The42′s limited edition rosettes! Looking good, Greg!

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We’ve heard what the bookies are saying, but what about the attendees?

Our first alternative best dressed award of the day goes to Ben, who wins the ‘Best Dressed Rugby Player’ gong. Ben’s proudest moment in his career has been featuring on The42 during last year’s Leinster Senior Schools Cup when he lined out for Newbridge College.

The42.ie / YouTube

Fancy your chances in the third race? Here are Paddy Power’s odds for the 4.55 race, the Mares Handicap Steeples:

  • Slowmotion 4/1
  • Retour En France 11/2
  • Definite Ruby 6/1
  • Elusive Ivy 13/2
  • Girly Girl 9/1
  • Keppols Queen 10/1
  • Rock On The Moor 12/1

Woodland Opera strides home with Robbie Power on board and there’s a huge roar from the grandstand but it’s more disappointment for us as Diamond King finishes way off the pace. We might need to change our tactics for the next race (win some money)!

Current balance: €80

We’ve heard good things about Diamond King ahead of the second race of the day so we’ve stuck a tenner on the Gordon Elliot-trained horse. Here’s hoping for better luck this time!

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We’ve just spotted a very familiar face on Paddy Power’s Snapchat. Add them at thepaddypower to have a look.

 

WhatsApp Image 2017-04-28 at 4.04.20 PM Paddy Power Snapchat Paddy Power Snapchat

So, how much has Ryan made so far?

Ryan put €10 on Enniskillen, as voted for by the readers, but unfortunately our first bet of the day yielded no dividends. If you’ve any tips for us, send them in as we’ll need them as the day goes on! Seven races to go.

Current balance: €90

Here are some of Paddy Power’s odds for the 4.20 Novice Handicap Steeplechase:

  • Woodland Opera 4/1
  • Diamond King 7/1
  • Le Prezien 13/2
  • Balko Des Flos 13/2
  • Last Goodbye 8/1
  • Arbre De Vie 17/2
  • Three Wise Men 12/1

Our horse Enniskillen landed in fifth, but at least he made it to the finish with his jockey on his back! Can’t Pay Won’t Pay decided to finish it alone.

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First bet of the day – we’ve gone with the readers’ choice, Enniskillen at 5/2. Wish us luck.

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Who is the one horse that Tom Nugent of Paddy Power suggests that everyone keeps an eye on today?

The42.ie / YouTube

Got a tip for Ryan? Let us know in the comments section before he starts to place his bets.

And we’re off… Here’s Ryan to explain the details.

The42.ie / YouTube

Fancy a punt on the Punchestown Festival? Ireland’s biggest bookmaker Paddy Power have the odds on every market. Check out our Punchestown festival odds here, or simply download the Paddy Power app for iOS or Android.

For more tips, insight and the odd star columnist, head over to the Paddy Power blog.

The competition to win Punchestown tickets has now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered! There was one winner, Declan Fanning. 

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