Sunshine and hail stones weren't the only things to talk about on the opening day of the 2017 Punchestown Festival

Robert ‘Puppy’ Power continues his purple patch winning the Boylesports Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival 2017

Sunshine and hail stones weren’t the only things to talk about on the opening day of the 2017 Punchestown Festival.

Attendance Figures:

2017   - 19,686

2016   - 19,825

Big Race Winners:

The Boylesports Champion Steeplechase of €250,000 Grade 1

Horse: Fox Norton

Owner: Ann & Alan Potts

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Jockey: Robert ‘Puppy’ Power

Celebs in attendance

Glenda Gilson

Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh

Marty Morrissey

Brenda Donoghue

Sean O’Rourke

Darren Frehill

Damien O’Reilly

Bollinger Best Dressed Lady Competition:

Winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady Competition was Ashley Reade a local hair stylist from Cara, Nass, Co. Kildare who caught the eye of the judges as a stand out winner when wearing a muted turquoise coat teamed with a red dress from Kildare Village. Her hat and gloves were from Jingles in Naas, the clutch was from Zara and her heels were Zara.