April 27 / 19.45 Punchestown

19.45

Yielding To Soft

JP & M Doyle (C & G) Flat Race

  • Prize money: £9137.17
  • 2m 0f 40y
  • 11 runners
RTV
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JP & M Doyle (C & G) Flat Race

Runners: 11 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/8 (Won)

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 67 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Untroubled to win his point and he was nicely on top at the finish when mastering one of Gordon Elliott's here two months ago (yielding), despite pulling hard during the race; there was talk of Cheltenham after that and who knows how good he might be.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Ballyburn

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Displayed superstar potential when easily winning the 2m5f Grade 1 novice hurdle here in 2024; mixed campaign over fences last term and he's reverted to hurdles this season, going very close behind Teahupoo in Grade 1 Hatton's Grace (2m4f, yielding to soft) before 14l third to that rival in Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle (2m7f, good to yielding); the first-time hood could help this headstrong 8yo settle but he may again be vulnerable to stronger stayers.

8/1

2nd

1

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

Ballyburn

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

raced in second, not fluent 5th, led halfway, joined briefly 5 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed after 2 out, kept on, no match for winner

11/8

Form: 2-1 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wide-margin point winner; pushed the now smart hurdler Three Card Brag close on his rules debut at Wexford last March and on his belated return he went one better in the same race; however, he was no more than workmanlike and Patrick Mullins has jumped ship to Ballyburn.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Dancing City

10st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Three-time Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, including twice last spring, and he began his chasing career in promising style with two wins this winter; there have since been significant reverses when well beaten at Cheltenham and falling at Aintree, both in Grade 1s over about 3m, but he'd previously suggested a strength in stamina which gives this test some appeal.

6/1

4

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Dancing City

10st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Three-time Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, including twice last spring, and he began his chasing career in promising style with two wins this winter; there have since been significant reverses when well beaten at Cheltenham and falling at Aintree, both in Grade 1s over about 3m, but he'd previously suggested a strength in stamina which gives this test some appeal.

6/1

2

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Dancing City

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Has finished behind Stellar Story at the last two Cheltenham Festivals but was hindered by being pestered up front in latest; otherwise a smart stayer who retains the potential to land a top prize over fences, having been a three-time Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, including on this card 12 months ago; remains of major interest.

3/1

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 129 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer who did well to prevail off steady fractions on soft ground here in December and that form has worked out fine with the second and third horses running well in the big bumpers at Cheltenham and Aintree; an absence of 129 days is a little off-putting but he's interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Slade Steel

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Supreme winner two seasons ago; 0-7 in the meantime and has been chasing, last time beaten the thick end of 20l when one of the favourites for the 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham; if this return to hurdling and the first-time cheekpieces float his boat, then he might not be far away.

8/1

6th

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Slade Steel

11st 6lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has form on most types of ground; consistent sort who has never finished out of the first three in his completed starts; broadly suffering from a frustrating bout of seconditis since switched to chasing (2m4f/3m) but this return to Cheltenham may prove the cure, as he won the 2024 Supreme in sole attempt at this venue; major Irish stable landed this corresponding prize in 2019; on an attractive mark and holds solid claims.

15/2

2nd

6

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

14:25 Navan

Slade Steel

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won 2024 Supreme Novices'; beaten odds-on favourite but decent form in two beginners' chases last season, notably when second to Brown Advisory winner Lecky Watson at Naas; off for a year before second to Predators Glory over an extended 2m4f at this venue; stepped up to this trip at Punchestown, one length down when brought down four out; worth another chance.

11/10

OUR TIP

Form: 150

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressed on heavy ground at Limerick over Christmas but it was a reality check at Leopardstown in February and again he failed to fire when a big price at Cheltenham; wouldn't be the obvious answer to this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Chosen Witness

11st 8lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

0-8 over fences and hasn't won since scoring over hurdles at Ayr in April 2024; failed to complete in two of three starts this season and beaten 63l at Leopardstown when he did get around; top yard and mark tumbling but hard to make a case for on form.

10/1

10

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Chosen Witness

10st 3lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: W P Mullins

Point, bumper and dual hurdles winner has been out of form in final runs of last season and outings in this; pulled up on seasonal debut at Cork and tailed off in a grade 3 handicap at Leopardstown when last seen at 80-1; needs to come back to his best.

33/1

16th

14

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Chosen Witness

10st 6lb

J: Mr Elliot Ohgren

T: W P Mullins

Dual hurdle winner is yet to score in six chase starts and was poor the last three times, so isn't easy to make a case for.

33/1

Form: 05-351

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has some quirks but no doubting his ability, as he finished 20l behind Ballyburn two runs ago despite virtually refusing to race and again he was slow to break before winning comfortably at Clonmel (heavy); if bucking up his ideas at the start he could very easily have some say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

14th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

19:12 Clonmel

Great Universe

10st 13lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

Course bumper winner; 1-6 over hurdles and rated 120; rated 7lb lower over fences after three chase runs; 7.5l behind Littlefoot at Downpatrick on latest and 10lb better off now so should get closer; place chance.

10/1

3rd

3

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Great Universe

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

Won a Clonmel bumper in 2023, and took a 3m2f Sligo maiden hurdle last season; not a betting proposition after a fall and a refusal on his first two runs over fences.

20/1

Form: 3-3

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
An absence of 647 days divided his two races but he has ability and travelled with real purpose before fading into third at Thurles (good to yielding); the winner - with Willie Mullins - has since won a Grade 2 hurdle, while the second gave Dancing City a scare next time; not without hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

25th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 200y

16:13 Galway

Catos Revenge

10st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: P J Rothwell

2m4f Limerick handicap winner '23/24 season (heavy) had a relatively light campaign last term, well held in handicaps; reduced mark so of limited appeal.

20/1

13th

14

20th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

14:47 Cork

Catos Revenge

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear throughout

12/1

13th

14

20th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 0y

14:47 Cork

Catos Revenge

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

towards rear

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Sixth foal; half-brother to 2m hurdle winner The Grey Falco, 2m3f hurdle winner Pola Chance and French 2m1f hurdle winners Irish Sweeps and Risky Mix; dam French 1m winner; interesting newcomer for an in-form yard that's 6-22 in bumpers the last five seasons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

31st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 80y

16:30 Kilbeggan

Apples Of Bresil

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Won a Gowran maiden hurdle and Fairyhouse novice in 2024; weakened over 22.5f on handicap hurdle debut at Ballinrobe on sole start in 2025; long layoff to overcome on chase debut but worth a market check.

11/2

10th

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 131y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Apples Of Bresil

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles in a 2m4f maiden at Gowran (good) in October; solid second when last seen in a 2m4f Fairyhouse novice in November; off since but has gone well fresh before; interesting handicap debutant.

10/1

10th

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 131y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Apples Of Bresil

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles in a 2m4f maiden at Gowran (good) in October; solid second when last seen in a 2m4f Fairyhouse novice in November; off since but has gone well fresh before; interesting handicap debutant.

10/1

Form: 1-384 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Huntingdon bumper winner for Pam Sly; beaten three times for his current yard and his best effort was first time out at Leopardstown in December; opposable on his subsequent exploits; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Special Cadeau

11st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

0-6 since winning on chase debut last February; below par at Fairyhouse in November last time but the yielding to soft ground provides an excuse; good runs at Roscommon (2m, good to yielding) and Ascot (2m1f, good) previously in the autumn and he goes well fresh; has an each-way shout.

25/1

3rd

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Special Cadeau

10st 13lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Already a better chaser than hurdler and it was a commendable effort at the weights when runner-up in a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon a month ago (2m, good to yielding); has scope for further progress and in-form Irish stable always respected on British forays.

11/2

3rd

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Special Cadeau

10st 13lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Already a better chaser than hurdler and it was a commendable effort at the weights when runner-up in a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon a month ago (2m, good to yielding); has scope for further progress and in-form Irish stable always respected on British forays.

11/2

Form: 54

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner; beaten 24l at Leopardstown and half that distance at Naas; has to improve if he's to play ball with the best of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Ask Anything

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful staying novice chaser last season, notably looking home and hosed until worn down late by Jumping Jet in this race off 128 (good); out of form over fences so far this season, never competitive at Punchestown last time; return to better ground should suit.

7/1

9th

5

20th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 3f 0y

14:25 Punchestown

Ask Anything

10st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful staying novice chaser last season; went close against Bushmans Pass in valuable Navan handicap and also second in Ulster National; jumping let him down on his first two starts of the winter before switching to hurdles for his last two hurdle starts; could go well for in-form trainer and talented 5lb claimer.

8/1

Form: 210 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his point before changing hands for £350,000; the form of his Fairyhouse win (on soft) has taken some knocks and he was barely sighted when only 10-1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham; perhaps failed to give his true running there but now has a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 90y

16:08 Navan

Better Days Ahead

11st 8lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the 2024 Martin Pipe, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; won two small-field Grade 2 chases at this venue last season and finished third in the Brown Advisory; sixth in the Irish Grand National; returned with a satisfactory second behind a shorter-priced stablemate in the Boyne Hurdle here; capable sort is again the stable's number two.

7/2

2nd

5

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:50 Navan

Better Days Ahead

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham two seasons ago, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; won two small-field Grade 2 chases at this venue last season and finished third in the Brown Advisory; sixth in the Irish Grand National, running off a mark of 154; hurdles rating of 145 is the lowest of this sextet.

9/2

6th

1

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Better Days Ahead

11st 12lb

J: Mr R James

T: Gordon Elliott

Won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last year, then third to Dancing City in 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; 2-4 over fences, including Grade 2 at Navan over 3m on soft to heavy, when jumped notably well; on better ground, failed to confirm form with Stellar Story when third in the Brown Advisory; big burden for a novice, rider's 7lb claim a major asset.

11/1

Form: 6-19 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A determined effort to beat the recent Fairyhouse winner Firefox at Naas in December (soft) and wasn't disgraced in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, finishing ninth after getting outpaced; probably vulnerable once more to something with a bit more boot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Loughglynn

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

0-3 over fences but has run well in defeat the last twice and this Grade 2 novice hurdle winner is open to further improvement in this discipline, for a top Irish trainer who won this 12 months ago; respected.

7/2

2

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Loughglynn

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

took keen hold, prominent

7/2

2nd

6

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 150y

13:55 Punchestown

Loughglynn

11st 12lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: W P Mullins

Two wins over hurdles, including a Grade 2 novice over 2m7f at Limerick, rated 140; satisfactory third on chase debut at this venue, 10l behind stablemate High Class Hero; unlikely to reverse that form in view of his failure to make the frame at Navan.

4/1

Non-runners

Better Days Ahead, Loughglynn

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Ballyburn

SPOTLIGHT:

Slade Steel

POSTDATA:

Dancing City

TOPSPEED:

Special Cadeau

The Irish Sun:

Ballyburn