Some of the finest competitors in Irish national hunt racing will be strutting their stuff at Punchestown racecourse today as the 2008 Punchestown festival gets underway.

The undisputed highlight of the first day of racing is the 2008 Kerrygold Champion Chase, which is set to feature the talents of Paul Nicholl’s Twist Magic, a horse looking to make up for a disappointing performance in the 2008 Queen Mother Champions Chase at Cheltenham.

Last year’s winner Masonry is also in the field for the 2008 Kerrygold Champion Chase, as is Newmill who finished with a show in the 2006 Kerrygold Champion Chase. The race favourite is Schindler’s Hunt, coming off a win at Fairyhouse.

The 2008 Kerrygold Champion Chase is likely to be fiercely contested race, as the small field of 9 runners will mean that each horse participating will have the opportunity to run without jostling or distractions.

Veteran jockey Tony McCoy will be riding Paul Nicholl’s Natal in the 2008 Kerrygold Champion Chase. McCoy suffered a fall at the 2008 Grand National after Butler’s Cabin went down after travelling well for the first lap of the race. Coolgreaney, Don’t Be Bitin’ and Gemini Lucy complete the field for the 2008 Kerrygold Champion Chase.