February 04 / 13.10 Leopardstown

13.10

Yielding To Soft

Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £76956.52
  • 2m 5f 107y
  • 2 runners
ITV
View Course
Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 2 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.70

Form: 122-21 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second to bumper star A Dream To Share twice last season, in the Grade 2 event at this fixture and the Grade 1 at Cheltenham; suffered an unexpected reverse when beaten by American Mike on chasing debut at Navan; the decision to skip a hurdling season was justified by the impressive manner of his beginners' win at Christmas; jumped well, travelled powerfully.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Fact To File

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

2024 Brown Advisory winner, 2025 Ryanair winner; won the 2024 John Durkan at this venue, had a hard race when narrowly beaten by Gaelic Warrior in this season's repeat bid; failed to do himself justice in the King George; back to best when readily beating Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup; fascinating rematch now after bypassing Ryanair.

5/4

1st

3

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Fact To File

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Four Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory, and last season's Ryanair; narrowly denied by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Memorial Chase; raced keenly and never looked like imposing his presence in the King George; three-time course winner, just lost second to Grangeclare West here 12 months ago; capable of matching that effort if on back on song.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 121-11 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Suffered only defeat last season when second to stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore; signed off with 3m Grade 1 win at Punchestown; dominant from a long way out in scoring eased-down by 15l on chase debut at the same venue; jumped well and always in full control when beating Il Etait Temps over an extended 2m3f in Grade 1 at Limerick; looks the part.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Confirmed his staying power with Bowl win at Aintree last year; got his campaign off to a fine start with John Durkan victory from Fact To File over 2m4f here; third in a blanket finish in the King George before 5l second to a restored Fact To File at Leopardstown; travelled powerfully for stunningly impressive Gold Cup triumph to leap-frog Fact To File in the ratings.

11/10

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won the Arkle here (2m, soft) in March 2024 and relished the step up to 3m1f in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (good to soft) last April; that win has been the catalyst for a string of excellent efforts, including his third in a blanket finish in the King George (3m, good to soft) in December and his 5l second in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month; can be difficult to settle which is something of a concern in view of today's stiff stamina test, but on the flip side he's been finishing his races strongly; respected.

4/1

2nd

5

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2024; kept at shorter distances until impressive in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last April; ended the campaign with a fine Sandown win and began again in style, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan; third in a thrilling King George; will need to settle better to maximise his chance at this track.

5/1

Non-runners

American Mike, Found A Fifty, Grangeclare West

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gaelic Warrior

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Fact To File

The Irish Sun:

Fact To File

TOPSPEED:

Gaelic Warrior

POSTDATA:

Gaelic Warrior