Preparations continue for National Hunt Festival

This year's Irish National Hunt Festival is set to feature a total of 11 Grade one races throughout the five days.

The ground at Punchestown is currently soft with a settled forecast for the next number of days and measures will be taken to ensure that excellent jumping ground is on offer for the duration of the festival.

Not only is the Festival a highlight on the Irish sporting and social calendars but it contributes greatly to the economy with an estimated €70m being generated as a result of the event.

This revenue is generated predominately through UK visitors with more than 15,000 overseas race goers expected to attend this year.

The commercial appeal of the festival is illustrated by the fact this year the festival organisers have announced they will have a total of 34 sponsors with nine new sponsors attracted for this year’s festival.

Major sponsors Guinness, Ladbrokes and Rabobank have all continued their support with Boylesposrts.com stepping up to title sponsorship and Growise, Airshow 100 and Ryanair all coming on board as Grade one sponsors at the event.