Snack a Punch

Tonnes of top-quality food and drink ready for punters at racing festival

- SANDRA MALLON

SIXTY kilos of cheese, 15,000 portions of petit fours desserts and canapes will be downed with thousands of pints at the Punchestown Racing Festival.

More than 110,000 fans are expected this week for the Co Kildare event which begins today.

Generating an estimated €60million for the local economy, the five-day spectacular boasts 40 races and a prize fund of more than €3.3million and the meeting attracts the best of Irish and British racing talent.

Household names like Willie Mullins and Rachael Blackmore will be in action as the best of Irish and British talent battle it out at the home of Irish jumps.

The entries for the flagship races feature equine superstars including major festival players Galopin Des Champs, Energumene, Bravemansgame and Envoi Allen, who are all backed heavily by Irish bookies.

Conor O'Neill, CEO of the Punchestown Racing Festival, said: "The event is a combination of so many moving parts.