April 28 / 16.15 Punchestown

16.15

Yielding

EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A)

  • Prize money: £52212.39
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • 15 runners
RTE2
View Course
EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 34-135 C

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Former Grade 1 course bumper winner has not prospered over jumps in the manner expected; did not have much to beat on chase debut over C&D in November; sights lowered after two Grade 1 attempts, Paul Townend's choice over identically-rated stablemates.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Kilcruit

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only five times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; failed to beat a single opponent in his two races this season; only mild encouragement from last month's third over hurdles at Thurles.

20/1

7

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 3f 170y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Kilcruit

11st 4lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only five times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; failed to beat a single opponent in his two races this season; only mild encouragement from last month's third over hurdles at Thurles.

20/1

3rd

4

15th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 42y

16:15 Thurles

Kilcruit

11st 0lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Has run only four times since a runaway Punchestown festival handicap chase success in 2023; has failed to beat a single opponent in two runs this season, the first in a hurdle race at Limerick

10/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.80

Form: 15P42F

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin winner of beginners' event at Clonmel in December but mixed form since; second in a six-runner handicap on penultimate start; not consistent enough to be a betting proposition in such a competitive race; one pound out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:37 Cork

Jody Ted

11st 6lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Lost form since back-to-back wins at Limerick and Punchestown (soft) in 2023; change of scenery hasn't sparked a revival and he is hard to fancy on what he has shown recently.

25/1

12th

15

23rd Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 20y

15:50 Naas

Jody Ted

10st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Lost form since back-to-back wins at Limerick and Punchestown in 2023; change of scenery hasn't sparked a revival and he is hard to fancy on what he has shown recently.

50/1

19th

22

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Jody Ted

10st 10lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

towards rear

66/1

Form: 11-133 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Two wins last April, a maiden at Tramore and a 24-runner handicap at this meeting off 119; justified favouritism on chasing debut at Listowel festival; ran no sort of race at Cheltenham in November; gave reassuring display in Grade 3 event at Limerick last month; not much to choose between him and Grandero Bello on that basis; now runs off 138 in first handicap chase
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

8

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Life In The Park

11st 2lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Sole win in 14 chase starts came in 2022; creditable runs in the Plate at Cheltenham and the Galway Plate but more recent 3m efforts have been poor; plenty to find.

25/1

14th

8

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Life In The Park

11st 2lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Sole win in 14 chase starts came in 2022; creditable runs in the Plate at Cheltenham and the Galway Plate but more recent 3m efforts have been poor; plenty to find.

25/1

18th

11

27th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 100y

15:00 Leopardstown

Life In The Park

11st 5lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

visibility reduced by fog, midfield

28/1

Form: -3U212 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Point/maiden hurdle winner; promising third on chase debut at Galway; bounced back from an unlucky unseat when beaten a neck by Bronn in what was effectively a match at Fairyhouse, made all for an emphatic win from Macs Charm at Gowran; closely matched with Life In The Park on Grade 3 running at Limerick; tongue-tie on now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

6

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Grandero Bello

11st 5lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Has come up dry since winning a handicap chase at Galway in October 2024; soundly beaten all four starts this term; won his maiden hurdle here but others arrive in better form.

50/1

8th

4

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Grandero Bello

10st 11lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

Dual chase winner with last win coming at Galway in October 2024 (2m7f, soft); tailed off in a Grade 2 hurdle on seasonal return at Navan and similar story in a Listed handicap chase back there next time (2m5f, soft to heavy); distant third over hurdles at Gowran last month (2m4f, heavy); back down to winning mark now but others more likely.

12/1

3

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

16:15 Punchestown

Grandero Bello

11st 5lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 7th

25/1

Form: 413U14 D

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Won twice in the first half of the season, but value of Kilbeggan and Wexford wins is questionable in this context; absent since Cheltenham defeat in October; of some interest on account of being stable's sole runner in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Tullybeg

11st 4lb

J: James Smith

T: Brian M McMahon

Won the big race on this card three years ago, but handicapper had him after that and well held in this last year; recent form in points/hunter chases doesn't look good enough, but has been dropped sharply in the ratings.

12/1

4th

12

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Tullybeg

11st 7lb

J: Mr E M Nugent

T: Brian M McMahon

Classy operator at his best for Gordon Elliott; good to see him win a recent point but that was hard work and others in here appeal more.

12/1

Form: 111445 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Won three novice chases last summer/autumn, including a Tipperary Grade 3; however, has had his limitations exposed in Grade 1 company on three occasions since; drops in class in the same manner as the stable's other two runners; Danny Mullins aboard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Authorized Art

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flashes of smart form for Willie Mullins but a 10yo now and hasn't yet threatened a breakthrough win for the Moores; needed to run a lot better than he did at Kempton two weeks ago.

33/1

9

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Authorized Art

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Flashes of smart form for Willie Mullins but a 10yo now and hasn't yet threatened a breakthrough win for the Moores; needed to run a lot better than he did at Kempton two weeks ago.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 3

15:16 Kempton

Authorized Art

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful for Willie Mullins; 0-5 for current yard, beaten in a veterans' event when last seen; however, this drop in grade may have positive effect, off a reduced mark.

9/1

Form: -4F338 C

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Both hurdle wins came at 2m; best chase run when third behind Grandero Bello and Macs Charm over 2m4f at Gowran; tried a longer trip last time and not as effective; Gowran run potentially puts him in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when pulled up at Cartmel last month; others preferred.

20/1

5

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; arrested decline with respectable fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks ago but needs to build on that run.

20/1

13

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Slip Of The Tongue

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful performer in Ireland back in the day but has regressed sharply and very opposable on exploits for current yard.

66/1

Form: 114095

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won valuable handicap hurdle at Galway festival off 121 last summer; beat Hallowed Star readily at the same venue in September on chase debut; well held in Grade 3 at Roscommon later that month; below best in three starts since then, two of them over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

3rd Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

11:55 Fairyhouse

Sit Down Lucy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Peter Fahey

in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, mistake and lost ground 9th

16/1

7th

7

11th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 190y

13:45 Down Royal

Sit Down Lucy

10st 9lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: Peter Fahey

Three-time winner over jumps but has struggled to find her best form over hurdles or fences since the spring; others preferred.

20/1

6th

4

22nd Oct 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 0y

16:50 Limerick

Sit Down Lucy

11st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Peter Fahey

Won big pot over hurdles at last year's Galway festival and made winning start over fences at same track; not competitive in good company next few chase starts but creditable third in Wexford handicap in July and not done with when departing two out at Killarney; trip fine but would prefer better grouund.

7/1

Form: -33322 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Made fair start over fences when third to Mighty Potter at Down Royal but has tended to make mistakes and has failed to improve; appears flattered by his form-figures in the novice grade; does not seem well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Largy Debut

11st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winning hurdler is 0-11 in chases but has run creditably in defeat; best chase effort a 2.25l second in the 2023 Munster National off 132; struggled in the Thyestes and Leinster National since return from long layoff; this much easier but his best form is on soft-heavy.

15/2

6

4th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:30 Wexford

Largy Debut

11st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Winning hurdler is 0-11 in chases but has run creditably in defeat; best chase effort a 2.25l second in the 2023 Munster National off 132; struggled in the Thyestes and Leinster National since return from long layoff; this much easier but his best form is on soft-heavy.

15/2

8th

7

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Largy Debut

10st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

0-10 over fences but has run well in defeat, notably when second in the 2023 Munster National; last season's campaign ended prematurely after being brought down in the Troytown; set a tough task in the Thyestes on his comeback; should strip fitter.

16/1

Form: 152276 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Winner of two novice chases, including a Grade 3; runner-up in Grade 1 novices at Limerick and Leopardstown; looked a non-stayer over 3m at Cheltenham; in rear along with Authorized Art at Fairyhouse; last year's winning rider aboard; one of three joint-top weights for trainer who has dominated this race in recent years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:40 Galway

Adamantly Chosen

11st 1lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Failed to add to his tally last season; fair effort in third behind a stablemate at the Punchestown festival and has Paul Townend's assistance; however, none of his three chase wins have been in a handicap.

16/1

3rd

4

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Adamantly Chosen

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

prominent, prominent behind clear leader 8th

20/1

3rd

4

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Adamantly Chosen

11st 1lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: W P Mullins

prominent, prominent behind clear leader 8th

20/1

Form: P-4221 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Three-time winning hurdler who has improved in each of his runs over fences; did not jump particularly well when no match for Grandero Bello at Gowran but has been more proficient in two more recent races; made a fine start in handicap company when winning over an extended 3m at Fairyhouse; raised 7lb, shorter trip may be a more serious issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Macs Charm

12st 0lb

J: Mr M J Love

T: Ciaran Murphy

Progressive handicap hurdler for Colm Murphy in 2022 and won a handicap chase in 2023; best of three runs in points for Ciaran Murphy when second to the very useful Wrappedupinmay on his penultimate start.

14/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

3

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 130y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Macs Charm

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

in rear

12/1

Form: 211127

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Progressive youngster when switched to chasing last autumn, scoring over 2m4f at Tipperary and 2m3f at Carlisle, then clear second in competitive 2m1f handicap at Ascot; prominent for a long way in the Magners Plate at Cheltenham; solid chance on overall form
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 150y

16:58 Listowel

So Scottish

11st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose sort is on a long losing run; in action on Flat and over hurdles since a good run over fences in the spring; blinkers added now; potentially interesting, though he needs to reverse Grand Annual form with Jasko Des Dames.

6/1

10

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

19:37 Tramore

So Scottish

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Emmet Mullins

Dual-purpose sort is on a long losing run, well held in valuable 2m6f Galway handicap hurdle on latest; previous two Flat maiden runs were poor so seemingly fair bit to do off this opening mark but is unexposed in this sphere.

13/2

12th

9

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 108y

15:12 Galway

So Scottish

11st 5lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

One of three for yard; generally out of form in 2025 in chases and on the Flat; narrowly denied in this race last year off this mark and this may have been a long-term target so would be no surprise to see a revival; interesting.

14/1

Form: -121FP

Last run: 128 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Impressive on his second start over fences in a Galway beginners' event in October, that being a big improvement from his run behind Sit Down Lucy at the same venue; faller here in November, jumping let him down at Fairyhouse, so a little risky at this stage.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(8)

20th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 14y

19:50 Roscommon

Hallowed Star

9st 8lb

J: W J Lee

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Triple hurdle winner is a maiden on Flat but some good runs in 2022; well beaten when last in this sphere in 2023; others make more appeal.

25/1

4th

10

(8)

20th May 2024

Soft

1m 4f 14y

19:50 Roscommon

Hallowed Star

9st 8lb

J: W J Lee

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Triple hurdle winner is a maiden on Flat but some good runs in 2022; well beaten when last in this sphere in 2023; others make more appeal.

25/1

Form: 2515F5 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a Naas novice handicap in January; well below that level in a Grade 2 at Navan next time; was running a decent race in a Grade 3 at Naas when falling; soundly beaten last of five finishers at Fairyhouse.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 120y

12:52 Limerick

Aarons Day

11st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won a handicap chase at Naas in January 2023 off 123; 5lb lower now but has completely lost his form in eight runs since; pulled up in his last three starts over fences; others more likely.

33/1

4

27th Dec 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 6f 120y

12:52 Limerick

Aarons Day

11st 7lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Won a handicap chase at Naas in January 2023 off 123; 5lb lower now but has completely lost his form in eight runs since; pulled up in his last three starts over fences; others more likely.

33/1

Form: -8FPF3 BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over hurdles; reassuring that he managed to complete the course last time after three consecutive failures in that respect; 2lb out of the handicap; others have stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 5f 140y

16:28 Tramore

Carrig Sam

11st 7lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Eoin Griffin

Both wins over hurdles at Fairyhouse in early 2022; no joy since and 0-7 over fences; off since February 2025 and likely best watched on first start for new yard.

28/1

6th

2

24th Feb 2025

Heavy

3m 0f 183y

15:35 Punchestown

Carrig Sam

11st 11lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Peter Croke

Two 2m4f Fairyhouse wins for Arthur Moore three seasons ago; no sign of his best in three runs for this yard.

25/1

Non-runners

Macs Charm

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €90.80
Straight Forecast €88.59
Tricast €300.29
Trifecta €659.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Grandero Bello

RP Ratings (IRE):

So Scottish

TOPSPEED:

Jody Ted

POSTDATA:

Largy Debut

The Irish Sun:

Kilcruit