February 04 / 12.28 Punchestown

12.28

Heavy

ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase

  • Prize money: £5130.43
  • 3m 0f 193y
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
ThatPrizeGuy.co.uk P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 30U-63 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Last year's winner subsequently ran well when third in 3m6f Cheltenham cross-country handicap but form afterwards was disappointing, including let down by jumping here in the La Touche; fairly modest third of 4 under hefty weight back over regulation fences in 3m5f Haydock handicap on latest; age may be catching up with the 11yo but still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Vanillier

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Thorough stayer who came second in the 2023 Grand National; not very consistent nowadays but did very well to finish third behind Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft), having lost ground when nearly taking the wrong course in early stages, and returns here after a win on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) last month.

7/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 35-027

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Highlight of four track wins was valuable 2m5f Leopardstown handicap chase three years ago; some good runs in cross-country events without winning, notably Cheltenham fourth last season and C&D second in November; following month below best in Down Royal hunters chase; Jack Kennedy rides the 9yo for the first time in this discipline in preference to the more highly-rated Conflated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

19

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Third reserve; second to Vanillier in P P Hogan Memorial over C&D in February and most recently a close third (beaten 1.25l) to Busselton in 4m1f La Touche here on Thursday; big player if turning out again.

3rd

13

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

The Goffer

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Fourth behind Stumptown in the 2025 Glenfarclas Chase; went on to finish third in the Topham and fifth in this race; twice second over the shorter course here this season, behind Desertmore House in November and behind Vanillier in February; may rebound after below-par effort at Cheltenham.

4/1

10th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

The Goffer

10st 5lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Has made the frame at two Cheltenham Festivals, more recently when staying on from long way off the pace to take fourth behind Stumptown in this race in 2025 (good to soft); returns here after a pretty good second to Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) but, from out of the weights, is effectively 5lb higher than last year; sports first-time cheekpieces.

14/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 708P4- D

Last run: 277 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Conflated

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Finished third in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup; showed some spark around Punchestown's banks course this February but this 12yo is nothing like the force of old and was well beaten in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; without a win since December 2022 and looks up against it.

66/1

9th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Conflated

10st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Top class over regulation fences in his prime (dual 3m Grade 1 winner) but has regressed and become inconsistent; gave a pretty good account when placed behind Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy; refitted cheekpieces/first-time tongue-tie) last month but was well beaten on his only C&D start (in 2024); younger rivals appeal much more.

25/1

3rd

6

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Conflated

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer.

7/2

Form: 0/740-

Last run: 418 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
High-class in his day for Joseph O'Brien at around 2m4f, seven chase wins include four at Grade 1 level; off for nearly a year until placed in open point-to-points at Quakerstown and Moig South in November; cross-country debut and hard to assess what level of ability he has at this stage and stamina possible issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 80y

18:35 Ballinrobe

Fakir Doudairies

10st 13lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: E Bolger

Four-time Grade 1 winner back in the day, but not the same force nowadays; has been running in cross-country chases lately, sixth at Cheltenham and second over 3m at Punchestown; trainer is a wizard with these types, but unlikely to feature all the same.

12/1

2nd

14

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Fakir Doudairies

11st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E Bolger

Four-time Grade 1 chase winner (peaked at 167) for Joseph O'Brien but left yard after a disappointing cross-country debut in December 2024; just okay efforts back on cross-country circuit this term, most recently poor effort back over conventional fences at Wexford last month; hard to assess right now.

12/1

14th

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Fakir Doudairies

11st 12lb

J: Charlie O’Dwyer

T: E Bolger

Four-time Grade 1 chase winner (peaked at 167) for Joseph O'Brien but left yard after a disappointing cross-country debut in December 2024; just okay efforts back on cross-country circuit of late, at Punchestown and when not looking to stay 3m6f at Cheltenham last month; back over the conventional fences here and hard to assess (trip/ground to suit) but handicapper giving him every chance.

15/2

Form: 802017

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Fair handicapper whose sole win came in 2m6f Fairyhouse contest in November, too keen and didn't get home over 3m1f in Leopardstown opportunity handicap following month; lots to find on conventional ratings with some of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Vaureal

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Off the mark chasing in 2m6f Fairyhouse handicap in November (yielding-to-soft) and better again when just denied over same C&D early this month on similar ground; in between wasn't discredited in strong renewal of PP Hogan Memorial over today's C&D (fifth to Vanillier); definite claims.

10/1

2nd

10

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Vaureal

10st 11lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Second for this rider when favourite for this race last season and a C&D winner for her last November; kept ticking over with a cross-country run and a hurdles outing in February; strong chance.

5/1

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 50y

14:05 Fairyhouse

Vaureal

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a handicap chase here (21.5f, yld-sft) off 107 in November; well beaten off revised mark in a Leopardstown handicap chase (24.5f, yielding) and midfield over the banks at Punchestown (3m1f, sft-hvy) last time; testing ground a concern on return to hurdling and 1lb wrong.

25/1

Form: 3-P047 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown her best form over this cross-country course, winning the 2023 Ladies' Cup and fine third in last season's La Touche; none too fluent here in November when a remote fourth and tame effort back over the conventional fences on latest at Thurles; fair bit to find to play a major role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Three By Two

11st 4lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Has shown her best form over this cross-country course, winning the 2023 Ladies' Cup and fine third in last season's La Touche; none too fluent here in November when a remote fourth and tame effort back over the conventional fences on latest at Thurles; fair bit to find to play a major role.

20/1

4

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 0y

19:35 Wexford

Three By Two

11st 9lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Denis Paul Murphy

C&D winner last summer off 5lb lower and another good run on the banks course at Punchestown this May, finishing a close third; subsequent defeat in a French Listed chase is easily forgiven.

8/1

Form: 5P-75P C BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful hurdler and last track success came here in 3m beginners chase just over a year ago (yielding) for Gordon Elliott; well held here in 2m6f handicap in November and reported to have bled from the nose when pulled up in 3m2f Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day, having not jumped well; questions to answer on cross-country debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Shannon Royale

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a 3m beginners' chase for Gordon Elliott last season; lost form and has failed to show anything like his best since joining this team; has reportedly bled, including when a remote seventh behind Vanillier over this course in February.

25/1

5th

2

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

Shannon Royale

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a 3m beginners' chase for Gordon Elliott last season; lost form and has failed to show anything like his best since joining this team; reported to have bled from the nose at Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day; reportedly bled again in Punchestown cross-country event

16/1

7th

2

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Shannon Royale

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Very useful hurdler and last track success came here in 3m beginners chase just over a year ago (yielding) for Gordon Elliott; well held here in 2m6f handicap in November and reported to have bled from the nose when pulled up in 3m2f Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day, having not jumped well; questions to answer on cross-country debut.

8/1

Form: -68598 C

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Last of four chase wins came in 2m7f Killarney novice back in 2021; well held over the banks here in November and brought down on latest in Tinahely point-to-point; tailed off in this last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Cavalry Master

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Veteran six-time winner; a shadow of his former self in points and cross-country races, though not disgraced at 100-1 in a handicap chase at Galway last September.

100/1

17

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Cavalry Master

10st 2lb

J: Ms J I Stokes

T: Peter Maher

Veteran six-time winner; a shadow of his former self in points and cross-country races, though not disgraced at 100-1 in a handicap chase at Galway last October.

50/1

8th

5

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Cavalry Master

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Last of four chase wins came in 2m7f Killarney novice back in 2021; well held over the banks here in November and brought down on latest in Tinahely point-to-point; tailed off in this last year.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-8P

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won 3m Tipperary novice hunters chase back in 2024 (yielding) but recent form leaves him with a lot to find in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Grange Soldier

11st 12lb

J: Mr P A King

T: William P Murphy

Nothing of note in his form since winning a 3m Tipperary novice hunter chase almost two years ago; struggled when one of the rank outsiders in a stronger race than this over this course in February.

20/1

9th

1

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Grange Soldier

11st 11lb

J: Mr P A King

T: William P Murphy

Won 3m Tipperary novice hunters chase back in 2024 (yielding) but recent form leaves him with a lot to find in this company.

50/1

4

23rd May 2025

Good

3m 4f 165y

19:37 Downpatrick

Grange Soldier

12st 0lb

J: Mr P A King

T: William P Murphy

1-9 in points; career-best when winning a novice hunters' chase at Tipperary just over a year ago; closely matched with Champagne Court on recent Dromahane running.

20/1

Form: P-

Last run: 279 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-10 in point-to-points, most recently beaten a neck in Ballycrystal winners' contest last month; pulled up after never counting in La Touche at last year's festival, his only start under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 7lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Only one win from 13 starts in points; has failed to complete this course in two attempts; same story over the banks at Lingstown in a race won by Fountain House.

25/1

7

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Denis Paul Murphy

1-10 in point-to-points, most recently beaten a neck in Ballycrystal winners' contest last month; pulled up after never counting in La Touche at last year's festival, his only start under rules.

25/1

6

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 7lb

J: Mr J L Scallan

T: Denis Paul Murphy

towards rear throughout, not fluent 4th, pecked on landing 16th, dropped to rear 20th, pulled up before 2 out

100/1

Non-runners

Lough Derg Spirit

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €6.80
Straight Forecast €6.78
Trifecta €22.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Goffer

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Conflated

The Irish Sun:

Vanillier

TOPSPEED:

The Goffer

POSTDATA:

Conflated