14.00
Yielding To SoftJohn Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £42142.86
- 2m 3f 200y
- 7 runners
ch.jpg)
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 42115- D
Last run: 228 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 165
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 6 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
10st 13lb |
Four-time Grade 1 winner back in the day, but not the same force nowadays; has been running in cross-country chases lately, sixth at Cheltenham and second over 3m at Punchestown; trainer is a wizard with these types, but unlikely to feature all the same. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 14 |
2nd May 2026 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 90y |
11st 7lb |
Four-time Grade 1 chase winner (peaked at 167) for Joseph O'Brien but left yard after a disappointing cross-country debut in December 2024; just okay efforts back on cross-country circuit this term, most recently poor effort back over conventional fences at Wexford last month; hard to assess right now. |
12/1 |
|
14th 1 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 3f 100y |
11st 12lb |
Four-time Grade 1 chase winner (peaked at 167) for Joseph O'Brien but left yard after a disappointing cross-country debut in December 2024; just okay efforts back on cross-country circuit of late, at Punchestown and when not looking to stay 3m6f at Cheltenham last month; back over the conventional fences here and hard to assess (trip/ground to suit) but handicapper giving him every chance. |
15/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 613-12 CD
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
19th Oct 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; creditable third in the Kerry National on stable debut; fair chance with 5lb off again; trainer (responsible for last year's winner) also has Weveallbeencaught in the line-up. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
24th Sep 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 7f 180y |
11st 6lb |
Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; his new trainer knows what it takes to win this; possible each-way value. |
20/1 |
|
2nd 6 |
3rd May 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 90y |
11st 12lb |
Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at this venue last October, beating Minella Indo; ran well for a long way before weakening in the Cross Country Handicap at Cheltenham; never threatened in the Topham. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1523-1 C
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
3rd Jun 2024 Good 2m 3f 0y |
11st 2lb |
in rear, detached from 3rd, pulled up with one circuit to go |
20/1 |
|
4th 3 |
13th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 100y |
11st 8lb |
in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out |
20/1 |
|
4th 3 |
13th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 100y |
11st 8lb |
in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /11F1- C
Last run: 238 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 172
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Deprived of a third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Inothewayurthinkin following a thoroughly satisfactory preparation in the shape of two C&D wins, following the same pattern as the previous seasons, taking in the Savills and this race, which he won for the third time last year; got tired on his reappearance in the Savills this time; should be spot-on now. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
made all, clear 3 out, went further clear after 2 out, kept on well, impressive |
5/4 |
Abandoned
Form: /1F65-
Last run: 227 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 9 |
30th Nov 2023 Yielding 2m 6f 0y |
11st 0lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second from 3 out, mistake and lost ground 2 out, soon pushed along, steadied last, kept on but no match for winner |
100/30 |
|
4th 1 |
14th Apr 2023 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Second-season chaser; no top weight has won this since Dublin Flyer in 1995 but he's a genuine Grade 2 performer (at least) who wasn't beaten at all far under top weight at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) and his class should see him competitive for a long way, at the least; still only a 6yo and the chosen one of Paul Townend; jumps well; big player. |
10/1 |
|
5th 1 |
16th Mar 2023 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Second-season chaser who has shown smart form in Grade 2 events over 2m4f the last twice, proving unlucky at Thurles (would likely have won but for final-fence fall) then second at Gowran behind Ryanair contender Janadil; still unexposed at this distance; seems versatile ground-wise; has the ability to play a major role on handicap debut. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 3/111- D
Last run: 271 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at this meeting four years ago when in the care of Willie Mullins, for whom he signed off when pulled up in the 2024 Grand National; remains in the same ownership; long absence before competitive shows in hunter chases at Hereford and Fakenham; cheekpieces added; all ground comes alike to him; could be running on when others have cried enough. |
12/1 |
|
1st 4 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Classy customer when with Willie Mullins, winning the 2022 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; looked sure to win after an absence at Hereford (2m5f, soft) only to be reeled in at the death; probably the one to beat. |
8/13 |
|
2nd 6 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
2022 National Hunt Chase winner, with several decent efforts in Grade 1s and 2s since, but he's been absent since pulling up in the 2024 Grand National on final start for Willie Mullins; off for 653 days but the one to beat if retaining much of his ability on hunter chase and stable debut. |
4/6 |
Abandoned
Form: 3336-3 C
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Thorough stayer who came second in the 2023 Grand National; not very consistent nowadays but did very well to finish third behind Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft), having lost ground when nearly taking the wrong course in early stages, and returns here after a win on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) last month. |
7/1 |
Verdict
Willie Mullins has failed to win this only once in the last seven years and GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, a brilliant novice last season, can enhance that excellent record. Fakir D’Oudairies is a smart performer at this trip and looks a clear second-best in theory. However, French Dynamite and Fury Road have the advantage of race-fitness and possibly have a better chance than implied by the official ratings. [Alan Sweetman]