May 01 / 18.00 Punchestown

18.00

Good To Yielding

HSS Hire Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

  • Prize money: £51304.35
  • 2m 4f 80y
  • 17 runners
RTE2
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HSS Hire Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Runners: 17 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 12-323 D BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Yet to win over fences but gradually progressive and perhaps a shade unlucky in a Limerick beginners last time; not many chances taken with his mark but no surprise should there be more improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Lets Go Champ

12st 0lb

J: Miss S A Carter

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Won a competitive handicap chase at the 2024 festival for Henry de Bromhead (2m4f, good to yielding); hunter chase victory over Hunters Yarn at Gowran Park showed that he retains considerable ability; confirmed that impression when beating all bar star hunter Barton Snow at Aintree; goes well for Sophie Carter.

7/1

2nd

17

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Lets Go Champ

12st 0lb

J: Ms Sophie Carter

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Won a competitive handicap chase at the Punchestown festival in May 2024 for Henry de Bromhead (2m4f, good to yielding) and winning a hunter chase at Gowran Park (3m1f, heavy) last month showed that he retains considerable ability at the age of 11; firmly in calculations.

11/1

1st

3

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Lets Go Champ

12st 0lb

J: Miss S A Carter

T: Ms Margaret Mullins

Point winner in 2019 and showed a lot of ability during his time with Henry de Bromhead, the highlight when winning a valuable 2m4f handicap chase at the 2024 Punchestown festival; ran only twice last year; found a new lease of life when winning at Oldtown two weeks ago on debut for Mags Mullins; the capable Sophie Carter keeps the ride.

6/1

Form: -3P384 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Sound-jumping front-running mare; not at her best this season but an improved effort at Fairyhouse last time; goes on the ground and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

2-23 over fences, those wins gained mid-winter in 2022/23 season; fourth in two handicap runs in recent months; was due to run in the 6.30 here on Friday; not suited by the race conditions.

20/1

3rd

20

1st Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Must Be Obeyed

10st 12lb

J: Daniel King

T: Thomas Gibney

Back-to-back chase wins two years ago; nothing since then, finished in front of Lightkeeper when fourth at Wexford when last seen (2m3f, good); that was her best run for a while; refused to line up at Punchestown in April, so comes with risks attached.

20/1

4th

6

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:25 Wexford

Must Be Obeyed

10st 7lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Thomas Gibney

2-22 over fences; poor form recently and a 10l fourth of eight at Punchestown last month wasn't hugely encouraging; refused to line up at Punchestown in April; a risky profile and others are in better form.

12/1

Form: 56-24P C

Last run: 165 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner in novice chase company, best effort when runner-up in last year's Galway Plate andf went on to finish fourth in the Kerry National; off for over five months and those races are likely to be his targets again; should come on for this.
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: 11-14P D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Three wins last year, including the Old Roan Chase at Aintree; pulled up in a Grade 3 at Newbury in March when last seen; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Jetoile

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: W J Burke

Smart performer in Britain back in the day; went point-to-pointing over the winter and held in hunter chases lately; unlikely.

16/1

5th

10

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Jetoile

11st 7lb

J: Mr L P Shanahan

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; couldn't contain Lifetime Ambition in a point back in November; fair third to Journey With Me at Cork last month but he went from the front and was readily left behind.

10/1

3rd

6

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

Jetoile

12st 0lb

J: Mr E Mahon

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; no appeal on his points form, which has been poor since a 12l second behind good yardstick Lifetime Ambition at Turtulla in November.

14/1

Form: 61F071 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Five-time winner over fences, including a Grade B contest over 3m1f here last year; showed his well-being when landing a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown in March; has a chance off a 6lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Brideswell Lad

10st 10lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: Seamus Neville

Six-time chase winner (including here) but not since May 2024; missed 2025 entirely and hasn't convinced since January return over both hurdles and fences (dropped 6lbs).

25/1

8th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Brideswell Lad

11st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Seamus Neville

Six-time chase winner (including here) but not since May 2024; missed 2025 entirely and hasn't convinced since January return over both hurdles and fences.

25/1

Form: 1P0300 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Showed he still had it when winning a Listed handicap chase at Navan in December; not really competitive in the Plate at Cheltenham or the Topham at Aintree. others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:15 Stratford

Embittered

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Scored over hurdles and fences for Eric McNamara in Ireland last summer; well beaten on both runs for his current yard recently, though he faced a very stiff task in the Plate at Cheltenham last time; back hurdling now with something to prove.

8/1

21

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Embittered

10st 4lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Four chase wins at up to about 2m4f on a range of surfaces but out of sorts since the latest of them, at Killarney in August, including for new yard on Friday; often wears cheekpieces, first-time blinkers now.

100/1

7th

6

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Embittered

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Won a 2m1f handicap chase at Killarney last August but three heavy defeats since, with latest second remote in a claiming hurdle; first run for Syd Hosie.

25/1

Form: -40710 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Best effort for a while when winning a 3m2f conditions chase at Down Royal in March; beaten a mile in the Grand National; others look more likely.
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: 111-23 C

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a terrific campaign last season, winning the Plate at Cheltenham and a Grade B handicap hurdle at this meeting; not seen since finishing a respectable third in the American Grand National in October; ground in his favour and should be a contender here if forward enough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(17)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Seddon

8st 7lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: John C McConnell

Can make the running; superb 2022-23 season was his best over hurdles/fences, including big-field wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals; a 10yo before his attentions were turned to the Flat and he won twice (2m1f/1m6f) last August/September; the five good handicaps since, however, have seen him comfortably held (last four were over fences); off since April; today's hood is his first ever headgear.

40/1

9th

8

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Seddon

10st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

led, headed 4th, prominent behind clear leader 8th

14/1

Form: 43-640 C

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Grade 3 winner at Navan last year but not at his best in three runs this season; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Indiana Jones

11st 4lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: M F Morris

Out of sorts for a long time before returning to form with a fine effort to finish fifth in the Topham; had decent 2m form early in his career

25/1

5th

29

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Indiana Jones

10st 2lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: M F Morris

He won a Grade 3 novice chase in March 2023 but this 10yo has been nowhere near that level across the last two seasons.

66/1

Form: 1-00P0 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner over fences, including an impressive success in this race last year; completely out of form since but back down to a mark just 6lb higher than last year; watch the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

3

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 46y

14:35 Punchestown

Hereditary Rule

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Badly out of form in eight runs since winning at Punchestown festival in 2023; pulled up at Listowel last time; impossible to recommend.

50/1

4

25th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

16:00 Listowel

Hereditary Rule

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Poor over hurdles and fences when last seen in 2024; not easy to fancy after a long absence.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: -44372 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Just a beginners chase victory to his credit over fences but has performed with great credit in competitive handicaps this season, most recently when just caught late in the Topham over the National fences at Aintree; deserves a change of luck and this may provide it.
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: 12P-1F CD

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Off for over a year before winning a 2m5f handicap chase here in November; fell early in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas when last seen; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Idas Boy

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Richard Phillips

Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.

25/1

1

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Idas Boy

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Richard Phillips

Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.

25/1

21

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Idas Boy

10st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard Phillips

40-1 winner at Kilbeggan (3m1f, good to yielding; the furthest he's been) last July and ran respectably in the Galway Plate (his only race with today's tongue-tie) before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; probably in need of the race over hurdles on debut for new yard five weeks ago, but this 11yo needs a big career best.

100/1

Form: -85850 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won a big handicap chase at Leopardstown last season and campaigned with credit in similar contests this season; looked like playing a hand in the Grand National before failing to stay; could be a player here.
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

Form: 3360F9 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way in the Plate at Cheltenham last time; can compete at this level and no surprise should he play a hand here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:00 Punchestown

Watch House Cross

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

in touch with leaders, brought down 5 out

12/1

10

1st May 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:00 Punchestown

Watch House Cross

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

in touch with leaders, brought down 5 out

12/1

9th

9

14th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Watch House Cross

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Faded in the 2m5f Coral Cup last March; won small-field novice chases at Wexford (2m, yielding; 2m4f, good to yielding) later but has found 3m on testing ground beyond him in competitive handicaps since; the return to 2m4f should suit but he needs to put a subsequent early fall behind him.

25/1

Form: 38486U D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Four-time winner over fences, including when landing the Topham at Aintree last year; struggled to recover that level of form this season but back to a winnable mark if he can.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Bill Baxter

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo won this last year off 126 (yielding); mixed bag this term, undergoing wind surgery after third start and good comeback run when second in 3m Kelso handicap in February; mistakes when pulled up in Topham at Aintree but remains of interest.

12/1

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Bill Baxter

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo who won this in 2023 (soft); he's had his ups and downs since but won at Punchestown (3m, yielding) last May and bumped into a well-handicapped novice when runner-up at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) last time, following wind surgery; could give a good account and be involved.

25/1

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Bill Baxter

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here.

4/1

Form: 15F5P- D

Last run: 369 days

W: 10st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Winning chaser at Naas last season; not seen since pulling up in a Grade A novice handicap here a year ago; best watched; 2lb wrong
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: -61513 D

Last run: 110 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler and chaser this season; showed his consistency when a close third in a 2m Naas handicap chase in January; 3lb wrong but not hard to see him have a chance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

23

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Union Park

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Three-time chase winner is 2-29 over hurdles; rated 13lb lower over timber but recent form in both codes has been disappointing and a major revival is needed.

66/1

13th

12

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Union Park

10st 4lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Better chaser than hurdler, although hasn't won since taking 2m4f Cork handicap hurdle in November 2023; safely held over hurdles of late, of limited appeal back chasing.

25/1

6th

9

29th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 126y

16:25 Thurles

Union Park

11st 2lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Good chase record around here; five wins in career; last win was in November 2023 off 3lb lower; fourth in competitive Punchestown handicap hurdle in November; this is easier; chance.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast €48.98
Tricast €1107.89

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

James Du Berlais

TOPSPEED:

Bill Baxter

The Irish Sun:

Hereditary Rule

RP RATINGS (IRE):

James Du Berlais

POSTDATA:

James Du Berlais