Kerrygold Champion Chase

The Kerrygold Champion Chase is the Grade 1 feature race that opens the National Hunt Festival at Punchestown.

The Punchestown Kerrygold Champion Chase is a 2-mile steeplechase with a total prize fund of €200,000. It attracts some of the top racing horses, jockeys, and trainers in Ireland and the UK, including previous Grand Irish National, Cheltenham and Aintree winners. Over the history of the Punchestown Festival, the Champion Chase has been won by the likes of Twist Magic, Skymas, Klairon Davis, Viking Flagship, Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer and Newmill.

2025 Kerrygold Champion Chase

The 2025 Kerrygold Champion Chase saw one of the most thrilling wins of the festival, when Paul Nicholl’s Twist Magic took the race at just over a length ahead of stable-mate Natal at second place.

2025 Kerrygold Champion Chase winner Mansony

Early in the race, Mansony looked a likely contender for LAST position in the 2-mile race! Ridden by Davy Russel, the eight-year-old then surged ahead over the last furlong for an exciting finish, at a time of 4:09.2. Mansony entered the race at odds of 13/2. Runner-up Justified entered the race with odds of 9/2. Third position went to the UK’s Steel Band (odds 40/1), and fourth position went to River City (odds 7/2).

For details of other Grade 1 wins at the 2025 Punchestown Festival, see 2025 Punchestown Grade 1 winners. For a full list of all the 2025 results, see our 2025 National Hunt Festival winners page.

Have you picked your favourites for the Punchestown Champion Chase? Check our Punchestown Festival betting tips before placing your bets.