The 2011 Punchestown’s Festival has been moved back one week and will take place from Tuesday May 3rd to Saturday May 7th.

It’ll be the first time the meeting has been held in May for over ten years and it means it falls six weeks after the 2011 Cheltenham Festival and just three weeks after the world’s greatest steeplechase, the Aintree Grand National.

Punchestown general manager Dick O'Sullivan thinks that the change in dates is no bad thing and explained: "The slightly later date will offer trainers extra preparation time for their horses and will hopefully mean good weather for our festival goers.

"Preparations are already underway for the event. In the meantime we look forward to the Punchestown season opener on Wednesday, October 13."

Legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins will no doubt be targeting the Punchestown’s Festival and is thrilled with the time of the meeting:  "The 2011 dates are ideal for us as it gives trainers great opportunity to get horses ready to have a right crack at the top prize-money on offer at Punchestown. We look forward to what we consider one of the best festivals on the calendar."

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