November 20 / 13.30 Punchestown

13.30

Yielding

Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2)

  • Prize money: £18096.64
  • 2m 6f 140y
  • 7 runners
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Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £21.40
  • Place: £3.00

Form: -12428 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Smart mare is only 1-14 over fences, though has run creditably in some quality races in that time; below form last time but could be placed if back to her best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th Apr 2023

Good To Yielding

3m 7f 0y

15:10 Punchestown

Darrens Hope

10st 9lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Robert Murphy

Has been a reliable mare in previous seasons ans looked set for a fine campaign when a long-priced Grade 2 winner at this venue last November; has lost form alarmingly and is now tried with blinkers for the first time.

25/1

11

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Aintree

Darrens Hope

10st 2lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Robert Murphy

Can lead; has had a fallow spell since winning a Grade 2 novice at Punchestown in November (2m6f, yielding) and little in her latest two handicap starts (in October and January) suggests she has anything in hand off her current mark.

16/1

32

10th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 5f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Darrens Hope

10st 0lb

J: Conor Clarke

T: Robert Murphy

Second reserve; won the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice at Punchestown in November (2m6f) but hasn't produced an effort of note since then.

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1212P- C

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
High-class novice hurdler last season, finishing second in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over this trip; subsequently met with a setback and was pulled-up at Punchestown when last seen; however, it is interesting that he is pitched into this on chasing debut and has the ability to win if his jumping holds up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Minella Crooner

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Once very smart for Gordon Elliott but left that yard on a downer and has continued in similar vein for current team; too risky at the minute.

25/1

11

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Minella Crooner

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Very useful at his best for Gordon Elliott but was pulled up in this race last year and changed hands after a heavy defeat over regulation fences at Punchestown festival; struggled when dropped back to 2m4f for last month's stable debut; 6lb wrong here and has too much to prove.

100/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Minella Crooner

12st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

His last win was at the Punchestown festival (3m, soft) in May 2024; right out of form in his last three starts (same Punchestown race last time) and this is his first start since leaving Gordon Elliott for £10,000 last May; probably best watched this time.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 451-1

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point' winner ran away with a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in April and did really well to make a winning chasing debut (2m5f) at Fairyhouse on first run since, beating a smart stablemate; should have improved plenty from that and longer trip will suit; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 80y

18:32 Kilbeggan

Amirite

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Was in the form of his life in the spring and summer of last year, victory in this race being followed by an excellent fourth in the Galway Plate; by contrast, his spring form this year leaves plenty to be desired, but he is only 3lb higher than last year and cannot be dismissed with the stable in such form.

12/1

37

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Amirite

10st 2lb

T: Henry De Bromhead

A fluent fourth in the 2m5f Topham over these fences was the first of three big runs in good handicaps last April-July; ran creditably in one (Sandown in April 2024) of his three attempts at 3m4f-3m5f and excuses might be made for his latest two outings (first cross-country, then the mud) but other candidates are more persuasive.

80/1

Form: 100-14 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A 135-rated hurdler got off the mark on chasing debut over 3m here in May; was 25l behind Idas Boy on first run since in a Grdae 3 novice at Cork two weeks ago but should have improved from that run; this better ground can suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Panda Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Martin Brassil

Smart staying handicap chaser in his prime; has found a new lease of life, winning two hunter chases at Thurles (beat Lifetime Ambition by 9l) and Naas (beat Hunters Yarn by 4l); might have found the ground a bit too quick when finishing fifth behind Barton Snow at Cheltenham; could play a featuring part.

5/1

5th

13

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Panda Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Martin Brassil

Has always had some class about him and he went off only 11-1 for the Grand National two seasons ago; lost his way afterwards but he's back in the good books after winning two hunter chases and the RPR he posted at Naas last month (3m, heavy; fine on good ground) was up there with his best; with confidence seemingly buoyed he's a must for the shortlist.

11/2

1st

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 36y

16:35 Naas

Panda Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Martin Brassil

A good staying handicap chaser without ever winning one; twice placed in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown, fifth in the 2023 Irish Grand National, third in last season's Leinster National at this venue; third on point debut in November; responding well to a prominent ride at Thurles; 9l runner-up Lifetime Ambition (stablemate of Hunters Yarn) is a solid yardstick.

11/10

Form: 212111 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Modest enough Flat and hurdles performer but has taken to chasing with gusto, winning Killarney and Cork novices before taking a Down Royal handicap off 120 last time; has a bit to find in this company but can't be completely ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

29

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Final Orders

10st 5lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

10yo who's had 70 races (only one of today's rivals has managed even half that) and won 11; latest was the 3m5f cross-country at Cheltenham Festival, comfortably holding off Favori De Champdou for career-best form off the same mark as today; having taken so well to that discipline (he also won there in December) and produced his best performances away from soft ground, he has to be considered seriously.

25/1

1st

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Final Orders

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) in December, winning quite comfortably by just over 4l; weakened into fifth in soft-ground C&D contest won by Favori De Champdou in January but ran well for a long way and ought to be better suited by the less testing conditions today; each-way claims at least.

7/1

5th

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Final Orders

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

High-mileage 10yo who took very well to this C&D (good) last month, leading from the ninth fence and beating J'Arrive De L'Est quite comfortably by over 4l; went up 9lb for that, though, and may not be ideally suited by the slower ground today.

4/1

Form: 242-12 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has endured a stop-start career but was a 135-rated novice hurdler last season and has taken well to chasing; easily won his bow at Cork before finishing a fine second to a more experienced rival in a Grade 3 back there last time; should be closely involved.
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: /321-1 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Smart hurdler won a Grade 2 (2m5f) at Navan last season following on from being placed in two novice chases; broke his duck in this sphere when a ready winner at Galway three weeks ago and, with improvement likely, should go well but best on testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Mar 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 72y

14:25 Leopardstown

Thedevilscoachman

11st 2lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

Four-time winner over hurdles has bounced back to form this season; has finished runner up in Grade 2s the last twice at Gowran and Navan on soft to heavy ground; the drying track here is not in his favour and this trip may be a shade sharp too, albeit he can't be discounted in this company.

5/4

2nd

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:40 Navan

Thedevilscoachman

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

prominent, disputing second 8th, went clear with winner approaching last, no impression final 110yds

7/4

2nd

6

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:40 Navan

Thedevilscoachman

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Noel Meade

prominent, disputing second 8th, went clear with winner approaching last, no impression final 110yds

7/4

Non-runners

Final Orders, Thedevilscoachman

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €55.80
Straight Forecast €56.54
Trifecta €182.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Idas Boy

TOPSPEED:

Thedevilscoachman

RP Ratings (IRE):

Idas Boy

POSTDATA:

Idas Boy

The Irish Sun:

Idas Boy