May 02 / 18.05 Punchestown

18.05

Yielding

Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £60950.41
  • 2m 4f 140y
  • 8 runners
RTE2
View Course
Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 113 D BF

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Couldn't have been much more impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival; didn't jump the last fluently when third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay the Festival; not guaranteed to appreciate this slightly shorter trip, particularly on this sort of ground so has his work cut out to reverse form with The Yellow Clay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Final Demand

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Sole defeat over hurdles came at this meeting last year (third to The New Lion in the Turners) and lost his undefeated record over fences when just over 12l third to Kaid d'Authie in Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival (extended 2m5f, soft); previous wins were impressive and he's a big player on form but that defeat and the addition of a tongue-tie are concerns.

6/1

3rd

1

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

13:10 Leopardstown

Final Demand

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won his sole point start; scored in three of his four hurdle starts last season, including twice in Grade 1 company, notably at this meeting last year; has made a perfect start to chasing, winning a beginners' easily at Navan before a comfortable Grade 1 success at Limerick over Christmas (Jimmy Du Seuil well beaten), both over similar trips to today; handles testing ground fine and is the one to beat.

1/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 7-11 D

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved with every run, landing an early season Wexford bumper before defying an absence in a Naas maiden hurdle in February; that form has worked out nicely but this is a major step up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

28th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:35 Navan

Lovely Hurling

11st 1lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: C A Murphy

Has kept top company since last season's maiden hurdle win at Naas; chased home Final Demand in a 2m4f Grade 1 hurdle at the Punchestown festival; ran as well as could have been expected against Kopek Des Bordes on his chasing debut here; left to take a remote second behind talented mare Kargese after the fatal fall of James Gate at Leopardstown.

7/2

2nd

5

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Lovely Hurling

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: C A Murphy

Improved with every run, landing an early season Wexford bumper before defying an absence in a Naas maiden hurdle in February; that form has worked out nicely but this is a major step up in grade.

8/1

20/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: -21116 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressive in the Grade 2 Dovecote, although reportedly bled and tailed off at Aintree since; looks risky now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Tripoli Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bagged a bumper and three hurdles, including Grade 2 Dovecote last February; acquitted himself well in two big spring festivals of late; should have a future on the Flat but will likely get a mark after this third start; no headgear.

10/1

3rd

5

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 118y

17:30 Punchestown

Tripoli Flyer

11st 4lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fruitful novice campaign included a Grade 2 win at Kempton (2m, gd-sft); best run this season a 2.75l second in an Ascot handicap (19.5f, soft) in cheekpieces which return now; not a bad effort when a keeping on 7l seventh in the County Hurdle (2m1f, soft); modest run on the Flat latest; not discounted back up in trip over timber.

18/1

4th

2

(5)

8th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 3

13:17 Nottingham

Tripoli Flyer

10st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Fergal O’Brien

Smart bumper/novice hurdle form; recorded an RPR of 141 when eighth in the County Hurdle four weeks ago; no match for Constitution Hill on his Flat debut but he should do better in this sphere at some point, probably when handicapping.

12/1

Form: 2-193

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Wide margin maiden hurdle winner who bounced back from a low-key run in the Supreme when third beaten roughly 1l in the Mersey at Aintree; needs a sizeable step forward from that run to play a part here but hard to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

17:25 Punchestown

Funiculi Funicula

11st 11lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

The fact Townend picks him from the stable's eight runners is a very big positive; maiden hurdle winner placed in Grade 1 novice company at Aintree last term (2m4f, good); beaten favourite in opening two chase runs before making the breakthrough at Cork (2m1f, yielding) last time, when defeating Wingmen by 0.75l; big player with further improvement plausible.

11/2

1st

1

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 45y

16:45 Cork

Funiculi Funicula

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Classy hurdler won a Clonmel 2m1f maiden before a close third in an Aintree Grade 1 novice over 2m4f last season; was an unlucky loser on second chase start at Gowran last time behind a stablemate; down in trip and a big player.

Evs

2nd

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

14:55 Gowran Park

Funiculi Funicula

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

One of three for stable; highly tried after an easy Clonmel maiden hurdle win and emerged with much credit when third in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree; only third when odds-on at Naas on chasing debut; finished 2l behind longer-priced stablemate King Alexander; Paul Townend keeps faith.

2/1

Form: 12-11 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3-4 under rules and was good value for the winning margin in a novice hurdle at Newbury last time but this is a huge step up in class and he's probably vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

19:20 Uttoxeter

Queensbury Boy

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Mickey Bowen

2-4 over hurdles but mixed form in five runs over fences, with his best effort a second of five at Windsor (3m, soft) in January; had wind surgery after disappointing run at Kelso (jumped right) in February and he had a walkover at Hereford on Tuesday; not easy to weigh up at present but both hurdle wins came over similar trips and he has claims if back near best.

9/1

1st

1

12th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 3

14:38 Hereford

Queensbury Boy

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Well beaten at Kelso in February last time to make it 0-4 over fences but that was on heavy going and he's had a wind op since, while the return to a right-handed track is a likely plus; good second at Windsor (3m, soft) in January and he seems fine on good ground; solid claims if back on song.

4/6

6th

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Queensbury Boy

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Lightly raced 7yo who ran well when upped in trip at Windsor (3m, soft) last month, finishing second of five; there can be optimism he'll still be seen to good effect now back down in distance and he's one to consider.

3/1

Form: 1583 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat performer who got his act together over hurdles when third (beaten roughly 2l) in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, form that received a timely form boost on Tuesday with Grade 1 success for Irancy; quite possibly more to come at this trip (half-brother's best form at 2m4f) and not one to put a line through.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:25 Ballinrobe

Belloccio

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Useful Flat performer, six wins, including two Listed and the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, rated 108 at his peak; maiden hurdle winner 12 months ago, best effort when third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Irancy in a 2m Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse at Easter; struggled over a longer tip in a Punchestown Grade 1.

15/8

1

26th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:25 Ballinrobe

Belloccio

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Useful Flat performer, six wins, including two Listed and the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, rated 108 at his peak; maiden hurdle winner 12 months ago, best effort when third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Irancy in a 2m Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse at Easter; struggled over a longer tip in a Punchestown Grade 1.

15/8

6th

1

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Belloccio

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: W P Mullins

Useful Flat performer who got his act together over hurdles when third (beaten roughly 2l) in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, form that received a timely form boost on Tuesday with Grade 1 success for Irancy; quite possibly more to come at this trip (half-brother's best form at 2m4f) and not one to put a line through.

33/1

Form: 223U15

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has outrun his odds in graded company on a couple of occasions including this meeting last year when 3l behind Kargese; however, well held in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month and this is even tougher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(24)

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:55 Curragh

Eastern Legend

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: J S Bolger

Has kept good company over hurdles since his last Flat run almost a year ago; that was in the Group 2 Curragh Cup; this is more realistic but he has plenty of weight.

16/1

7th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Eastern Legend

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: J S Bolger

Has outrun his odds in graded company on a couple of occasions including this meeting last year when 3l behind Kargese; however, well held in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month and this is even tougher.

50/1

7th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Eastern Legend

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: J S Bolger

Has outrun his odds in graded company on a couple of occasions including this meeting last year when 3l behind Kargese; however, well held in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month and this is even tougher.

50/1

Form: -11112 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 bumper runner-up at this meeting last season and has really kicked on this campaign winning four times over hurdles including Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas; even better form when beaten roughly 1l by The New Lion at the Festival with Final Demand in behind and quite possibly better suited to 2m4f than that rival, so he's taken to confirm the form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

The Yellow Clay

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

High class novice last season who was second to The New Lion in the 2m5f Grade 1 at Cheltenham; later suffered a heavy fall at Punchestown; this campaign hasn't really got off the ground and departed too far out (three from home) in the 2m5f handicap at the Festival (Storm Heart third) to know how he would have fared, though was going well enough at the time; wouldn't be a surprise to see him get his career back on track.

5/1

1

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

The Yellow Clay

12st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Gordon Elliott

Four-timer as a novice last season culminated in 2m4f Grade 1 at Naas, which he followed with second over 2m5f at this meeting (gave The New Lion plenty to think about); took a heavy fall at Punchestown in May, beaten at 8-15 in November (fair second) and failed to shine in Grade 1 at Christmas (notwithstanding the near 3m trip) so he's on a recovery mission, but last season can't be forgotten yet; cheekpieces go on for this handicap debut.

8/1

Non-runners

Mr Percy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €23.70
Straight Forecast €21.51
Tricast €208.65
Trifecta €172.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Yellow Clay

The Irish Sun:

Final Demand

RP RATINGS (IRE):

The Yellow Clay

TOPSPEED:

The Yellow Clay

POSTDATA:

The Yellow Clay