April 25 / 18.35 Punchestown

18.35

Yielding

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £65265.49
  • 3m 0f 60y
  • 6 runners
RTE2
View Course
Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 23412

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point-to-point winner in November for Ellmarie Holden has been quite highly tried and made quick strides; placed in bumpers, won Limerick maiden hurdle and most recently fared really well on chasing debut against much more experienced rivals in Grade 3 at Cork over this trip, jumping well in the main and battling on well for second behind a ready winner; things don't get any easier here but trip/ground to suit and surely has improvement in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Oct 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 6f 210y

15:35 Galway

Feronily

11st 6lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

raced in third, switched left after 6th, niggled along briefly after 4 out, pressed leaders when slightly hampered and stumbled 2 out, steadied last, soon outpaced and ridden briefly, kept on and went second towards finish, no match for winner

4/11

1st

3

25th Apr 2023

Yielding

3m 0f 60y

18:35 Punchestown

Feronily

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

jumped well, led, headed and raced in second after 2nd, led again after 6th, ridden after 2 out, reduced lead but kept on well run-in

5/1

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -11343 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Top-class novice hurdler 2020/21 season missed most of last season before making impressive start over fences in 2m beginners here in December, making all; followed up in minor Naas contest but has met with defeat three times since, including when hold-up tactics employed in Turners at Cheltenham and early this month at Fairyhouse when tending to jump and hang left in 2m4f Grade 1 (staying on); tongue tie now tried and first attempt at 3m under Rules; Townend remains loyal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Former top-class novice hurdler still going strong at the veteran stage; beat two shorter-priced stablemates in this race last season; brought down at the 21st in the Grand National; smart form when chasing home stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown; resumed with second to Affordale Fury here in November; form franked in the Savills.

10/11

2nd

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Appreciate It

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

11yo who ended a long losing run when beating stablemate Classic Getaway by 6l in Grade 2 at Thurles in January (2m5f, good); brought down ten fences out in the Grand National three weeks ago; it's possible he might run into a place but a few of the others have stronger claims.

16/1

Form: 2/1664

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Grade 1-placed hurdler in France also finished second in Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at this meeting two years ago; emerged from guts of two year's absence for successful chasing debut at Fairyhouse (2m5f, soft) in January before pitched into Grade 1 company when safely held three times, including plenty keen in Turners at Cheltenham and faded from two out in 2m4f at Fairyhouse (Sir Gerhard & Appreciate It ahead); another stiff task awaits here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:08 Navan

James Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

Modest strike rate over fences (2-19); smart handicap form; second in the 2024 Topham; won at the Punchestown festival last April; out of his depth in the John Durkan on reappearance; last of three in the Howden at Ascot, squeezed for room and failed to pick up from the last; justified his second-favourite status when chasing home Appreciate It at Thurles.

11/4

2nd

4

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

James Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Modest strike over fences (2-18); however, one of those wins came in fine style in a handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m4f, yielding) last April; no impact when 50-1 in the John Durkan on reappearance; outsider of three in the Howden at Ascot, got squeezed for room and failed to pick up form the last; capable of better

4/1

1st

2

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

James Du Berlais

11st 11lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

held up in rear

8/1

Form: 21P3-1 C

Last run: 150 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo won maiden hurdle here last season and ended campaign with decent second (demoted to third) in 2m4f conditions event at this meeting; reappeared in November for successful chasing debut in 2m4f Gowran beginners, showing good attitude when drawing away from an odds-on stablemate on run-in (pair clear); shapes as though he'll relish 3m and could well have a lot more to offer at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 0y

16:07 Listowel

Classic Getaway

11st 2lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Hasn't been at his best since winning last year's Grade 2 Red Mills at Gowran but a couple of subsequent runs read well, especially in the context of today's easier assignment; unlikely to be far away; any rain welcomed.

4/1

8th

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

Classic Getaway

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Grade 2 Red Mills Chase winner at Gowran last season hasn't recaptured that level of form this term, although third in same event was a solid run; last of three in 3m Grade 3 Cork conditions event on latest, back to probably his optimum trip here so considered.

12/1

3rd

1

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

16:10 Cork

Classic Getaway

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Grade 2 chase winner was poor at Tramore on New Year's Day but was much better when third to a stablemate at Gowran last time; has to give away plenty of weight but is still the one to beat with a top rider aboard; hasn't won over this trip but looks likely to stay.

4/9

Form: 7-F121

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Decent novice hurdler is proving a better chaser this season, twice successful over 2m4f at Naas including last month in Grade 3 novice, making all and toughing it out well from the last; in between good second to subsequent Cheltenham Grade 2 winner Impervious in 2m4f Grade 3 novice here; jumping still novicey and unproven over this far but progressing nicely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Journey With Me

12st 0lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: D M Christie

Contested Grade 1s for Henry de Bromhead; reportedly not himself during the winter but got back on track in narrowly repelling 11-8f Asian Master over 2m4f at Cork last month; has a bit to prove over this far but his class is much respected.

9/4

1st

7

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

Journey With Me

12st 0lb

J: Mr D Doyle

T: D M Christie

Achieved a high standard in his prime for Henry de Bromhead; three wins over fences, including at Grade 2/3 level; unconvincing form in points in recent months, beaten favourite in three of his last four races.

11/2

5th

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Journey With Me

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Most recent of three chase wins came in this race last season on heavy ground, beating Appreciate It by 9l; nowhere near that level of form in three starts this season; beaten 44l at Windsor in January; 13l behind Saint Sam when last of three in the Red Mills at Gowran.

12/1

Form: 13-192

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
High-class performer won two Grade 1 novice hurdles last season; ready debut chase winner at Gowran in January but didn't jump well and faded tamely in Brown Advisory (3m) at Cheltenham; much better form when second to stablemate Flame Bearer in 2m4f Grade 1 at Fairyhouse recently although didn't exactly look to be crying out for a return to this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Sir Gerhard

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Former top-notcher who has understandably lost some of his old zip at the age of ten, but didn't run too badly in a Grade 3 last time and cheekpieces are fitted for his first handicap of any description; can't be ruled out.

14/1

6th

3

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Sir Gerhard

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Former top-notcher who has understandably lost some of his old zip at the age of ten, but didn't run too badly in a Grade 3 last time and cheekpieces are fitted for his first handicap of any description; can't be ruled out.

14/1

3

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Gowran Park

Sir Gerhard

11st 5lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Former dual Grade 1 winner whose wins also include a beginners chase here; good bit below best in two runs at Punchestown this season, dropping away tamely last time; hard to be confident in now.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €31.40
Straight Forecast €32.10
Trifecta €185.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic Getaway

RP Ratings (IRE):

Appreciate It

TOPSPEED:

Classic Getaway

The Irish Sun:

Classic Getaway

POSTDATA:

Appreciate It