May 01 / 15.40 Punchestown

15.40

Yielding

Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase

  • Prize money: £19504.13
  • 4m 1f 11y
  • 13 runners
RTE2
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Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.20
  • Place: £2.40

Form: -0664P C

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won a staying handicap on the Flat at Galway last July; no win over jumps since 2022 Kerry National at Listowel (3m, good) but ended 2024 with two respectable runs over the cross-country course at Cheltenham; needs to bounce back after Festival failure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Busselton

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: E Bolger

Beat Desertmore House in this event in last year when trained by Joseph O'Brien, for whom he won five chases in all, including the 2022 Kerry National; well below best when fifth behind Desertmore House here in November, tailed off at Cheltenham in November, had a first spin for Enda Bolger over hurdles and an inadequate trip at Cork; not ruled out.

7/2

5th

4

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:50 Cork

Busselton

11st 2lb

J: Rian Lane

T: E Bolger

Five-time chase winner's last two runs for Joseph O'Brien came in Cross Country races at Punchestown and Cheltenham; now with Enda Bolger and faces a tough task on these terms over a trip that looks too sharp.

9/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: P4300P

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
No further success since winning 2023 Kerry National; pulled up in his repeat bid last September; best run this season when third off his lower hurdles mark at Punchestown in November; limited appeal despite high rating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Desertmore House

11st 12lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

Close second to Busselton here last year on cross-country debut; looked in fine shape when beating The Goffer and subsequent Cheltenham winner Final Orders over 3m here in November; pulled up over hurdles the following month; dropped away from the 23rd of 31 obstacles at Cheltenham; obvious chance if on song again.

11/4

8th

9

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Desertmore House

10st 5lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

Untested on this track but close second in La Touche Cup on cross-country debut at Punchestown (4m1f, good to yielding) last May and looked in very good nick when beating The Goffer and Final Orders to win over 3m on that Bank course (soft to heavy) in November; pulled up over hurdles the following month and 3lb out of the weights today but still considered.

4/1

2nd

5

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Desertmore House

11st 7lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Martin Brassil

prominent, left in third 12th, went second after 2 out, led narrowly when not fluent last, headed run-in, kept on

12/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 016256 C

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
A 95 rated chaser but has run much better than that mark on several occasions in this sphere; beaten just 2 3/4 by Stumptown here in November and ran a fine race when fifth at Cheltenham in December; however, remote sixth behind Vanillier here on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Three By Two

11st 4lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Has shown her best form over this cross-country course, winning the 2023 Ladies' Cup and fine third in last season's La Touche; none too fluent here in November when a remote fourth and tame effort back over the conventional fences on latest at Thurles; fair bit to find to play a major role.

20/1

4

29th Aug 2025

Yielding

3m 1f 0y

19:35 Wexford

Three By Two

11st 9lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Denis Paul Murphy

C&D winner last summer off 5lb lower and another good run on the banks course at Punchestown this May, finishing a close third; subsequent defeat in a French Listed chase is easily forgiven.

8/1

Form: P20PP- CD

Last run: 364 days

W: 11st 7lb

13 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ladies' Cup winner in 2022; won this race in 2023, failed to find his best form last season but proved he is not a back number with a Lingstown win in March; trainer saddled a superb one-two here on Tuesday; eight-time points winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Vital Island

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: R P O’Keeffe

Winner of this race in 2023 and won over a shorter trip here last year, two days after a gallant fourth behind Busselton in this race; also a former winner of the Ladies' Cup; a proper stalwart here and over the banks at Lingstown, but the years are catching up.

20/1

1st

11

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Vital Island

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: R P O’Keeffe

8-28 in points; Ladies' Cup winner in 2022; La Touche winner in 2023; failed to find his best form last season but proved he is not a back number with a Lingstown win in March; trainer saddled a superb one-two here on Tuesday; gallant fourth behind Busselton here on Thursday.

12/1

Form: P77543

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
2023 Leopardstown Chase winner; no success since then; remote fifth behind Vanillier here in February; came from off the pace when fourth behind Stumptown at Cheltenham, only 1 1/4l behind Vanillier; has boosted his claims since by running a fine race to take third place in the Topham.
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: P3P075 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
No success since landing 3m7f handicap here three years ago; five-time winner but not in the same league as stablemate Vanillier.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Peaches And Cream

11st 12lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Miss Laura Richardson

Punchestown 3m7f handicap chase win in April 2022 (good) remains his most recent under rules, but the first of two point starts netted him a last-gasp Bangor-on-Dee success in March; strike-rate of only 1-11 over 3m3f or more, but this would be easier than almost any of those.

5/1

7th

14

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Peaches And Cream

10st 2lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won't fail through lack of stamina but this regressive 11yo never looked dangerous when well-held sixth over C&D last month and is out of the weights today; tongue-tie refitted.

33/1

Form: 0/0P56

Last run: 298 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler; has been struggling in points including over the banks at Lingstown.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Benny The Duke

11st 7lb

J: Mr F P Murphy

T: Brendan Oliver Walsh

Winning hurdler; 0-10 in points, remote seventh in this race last year; no apparent chance.

100/1

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Benny The Duke

11st 7lb

J: Mr F P Murphy

T: Mark John Scallan

didn't always jump with fluency, towards rear throughout

100/1

7th

3

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Benny The Duke

11st 7lb

J: Mr F P Murphy

T: Mark John Scallan

towards rear, mistake 24th, mistake 25th

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3584U1

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won 2m7f Killarney beginners' chase last season; has been mixing hurdling and chasing this season; three runs over hurdles before a return to chasing did the trick when winning a race for women riders at Fairyhouse last week; Derek O'Connor takes the mount.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Read To Return

11st 12lb

J: Mr Derek O’Connor

T: A J Martin

held up in rear

14/1

Form: 3P0P-0 C

Last run: 258 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
33-1 winner over this course in 2023, nothing to suggest he can cause a similar upset.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Subset

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Peter Maher

33-1 winner of this event in 2023 with Three By Two back in third; nothing to suggest he can cause a similar upset; last of nine finishers in Thursday's La Touche.

66/1

8

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Subset

11st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Peter Maher

33-1 winner of this event in 2023 with Three By Two back in third; nothing to suggest he can cause a similar upset; last of nine finishers in Thursday's La Touche.

66/1

9th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Subset

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

midfield, in touch with leaders halfway

50/1

Form: P69130 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Second in the 2023 Grand National; has failed to match that form in two subsequent attempts; however, has strong prospects based on his 18l victory over 3m1f at this venue in February, and a fine third at Cheltenham when nearly taking the wrong course early on did not help; finished well for third behind stablemate Stumptown; tailed off in Grand National.
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

15:20 Cheltenham

Vanillier

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Gavin Cromwell

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

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice placed in points; down the field over the banks at Lingstown on latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 7lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Only one win from 13 starts in points; has failed to complete this course in two attempts; same story over the banks at Lingstown in a race won by Fountain House.

25/1

7

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 4lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Denis Paul Murphy

1-10 in point-to-points, most recently beaten a neck in Ballycrystal winners' contest last month; pulled up after never counting in La Touche at last year's festival, his only start under rules.

25/1

6

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Empire Soldier

11st 7lb

J: Mr J L Scallan

T: Denis Paul Murphy

towards rear throughout, not fluent 4th, pecked on landing 16th, dropped to rear 20th, pulled up before 2 out

100/1

Form: P

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner in 2023; was still in with a chance when falling three out at Tinahely on his first run after a long absence; has struggled in two more recent points outings; 28-1 chance when pulled up in Tuesday's Ladies' Cup.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Iriko DAiry

11st 7lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Point winner in 2023; was still in with a chance when falling three out at Tinahely on his first run after a long absence; has struggled in two more recent points outings; 28-1 chance when pulled up in Tuesday's Ladies' Cup.

66/1

8

1st May 2025

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Iriko DAiry

11st 7lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Point winner in 2023; was still in with a chance when falling three out at Tinahely on his first run after a long absence; has struggled in two more recent points outings; 28-1 chance when pulled up in Tuesday's Ladies' Cup.

66/1

8

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Iriko DAiry

11st 7lb

J: Mr S Cotter

T: Denis Paul Murphy

midfield, slightly hampered 6th, detached halfway

20/1

Form: 003238 C BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Beaten a neck by Vital Island in this race two years ago; won three handicaps in a fine spell in the following months; out of form last year until 33-1 third behind Stumptown here in December; well beaten in third behind Vanillier here in February; kept ticking over with a hurdles run; could be a factor over this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Stealthy Tom

11st 10lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E Bolger

Course specialist has won six chases in total, four of them here at 2m4f-2m7f on yielding to soft and good ground; runner up in this last season off 140 and same mark here; chance once a fall over the banks at Punchestown hasn't dented his confidence.

12/1

3

11th May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:50 Killarney

Stealthy Tom

11st 10lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: E Bolger

Course specialist has won six chases in total, four of them here at 2m4f-2m7f on yielding to soft and good ground; runner up in this last season off 140 and same mark here; chance once a fall over the banks at Punchestown hasn't dented his confidence.

12/1

Non-runners

Fralimonti Bilbery, Iriko dAiry, Jet Fighter, Transprint

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €61.50
Straight Forecast €69.23
Tricast €703.64
Trifecta €649.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Vanillier

The Irish Sun:

Fralimonti Bilbery

TOPSPEED:

The Goffer

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Vanillier

POSTDATA:

Vanillier