130,000 PLEASED AS PUNCH TO BE BACK..

Huge crowds tipped as racing makes its return. Cheltenham winner will be star attraction

- TREVOR QUINN

RECORD crowds are expected to soak up the sunshine at a packed Punchestown as five days of top-class racing begins today - with Honeysuckle the star attraction.

More than 130,000 punters are set to attend the popular Co Kildare festival and enjoy the glorious spring sunshine.

The mercury is predicted to climb to 15C and the outlook is largely dry and bright with long sunny spells.

Punchestown's Shona Dreaper, who believes it will be a record crowd, said: "Honeysuckle will be a massive draw, our first festival Friday; it's Ladies Day, we have two of the great ladies of racing Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle and we're going into a Bank Holiday weekend.

“The weather is good and it's the perfect mix for a really brilliant celebration.