November 13 / 11.55 Punchestown

11.55

Soft To Heavy

Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4876.03
  • 3m 0f 70y
  • 18 runners
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Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase

Runners: 18 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 845-01 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Limited as a hurdler; a different proposition when making a winning start over fences in a handicap at Killarney; respected off 6lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

James The Brave

10st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Padraig Butler

Killarney handicap winner in October (2m7f, yielding) and took advantage of lower hurdles mark at Punchestown in February before third in a similar event; well-backed favourite back chasing last month, disputing lead (clear of remainder) when unseating two out at Limerick (2m2f, heavy); remains very much of interest off 2lb higher mark.

3/1

6

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 185y

14:54 Limerick

James The Brave

10st 10lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Padraig Butler

Killarney chase winner in October (2m7f, yielding); went close to following up at Punchestown (3m, heavy); pulled up in a 2m6f contest at this venue at Christmas; took advantage of a lower hurdles mark at Punchestown last month; third in a similar event at that venue last time; back over fences now, trip possibly a bit sharp for him.

13/2

1st

7

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 17y

14:48 Punchestown

James The Brave

10st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Padraig Butler

Chase winner was pulled-up in that sphere last time; runs off a much lower hurdles mark but is 1lb out of the handicap and will have to get back to his best form.

20/1

Form: 3/3P3-

Last run: 496 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
One of three runners in the McManus colours; lengthy layoff to overcome, not badly treated relative to a 6lb higher hurdles rating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 70y

17:42 Limerick

Lovely Reaction

11st 7lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Thomas Mullins

Two-time winner has failed to complete all four starts since returning from a 496 day layoff; on last winning mark now but a risky proposition.

20/1

11

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 165y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Lovely Reaction

10st 11lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Thomas Mullins

Dual winning hurdler has returned from a 496-day break with letters representing her three form figures since; pulled up at Punchestown before falling here when in midfield (2m5f, yielding to soft); pulled up again at Punchestown last time; best watched for the moment.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8-2252 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Course hurdles winner is a maiden over fences; has managed three seconds, including over C&D in June and a good effort at Fairyhouse a month ago; stays well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

6th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

19:50 Roscommon

Western Model

11st 11lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Andrew Kinirons

Won a Punchestown handicap hurdle for Paul Nolan in 2024 off 90; 0-9 chasing for that yard but made the frame on several occasions; much improved display compared to stable debut when keeping on for third of 14 at Downpatrick (2m6f, good) last time.

12/1

7th

11

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Curragh

Western Model

12st 0lb

T: Andrew Kinirons

Hurdle winner ran a solid race at Downpatrick last time; has a bit to find on Flat debut.

14/1

3rd

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 180y

14:35 Downpatrick

Western Model

12st 3lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Andrew Kinirons

Punchestown hurdles winner in May 2024 off 90; record of 0-9 chasing for Paul Nolan in recent times, although made the frame on several occasions; tailed off on stable debut back from a break at Limerick; entitled to improve.

13/1

Form: 8/U03-

Last run: 299 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Trainer has his team in fine shape; should be taken seriously despite lack of a recent run; apparent selected of three JP McManus-owned runners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

18th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

14:55 Navan

A Great Buzz

11st 7lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Robert Tyner

midfield, not fluent 7th, headway before 2 out, went third approaching last, kept on run-in, no match for first two

5/1

Form: 56/5-

Last run: 252 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Point winner; hunter chase form is not very encouraging; makes seasonal debut and others have more obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6P7P0- D

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Out of form last season; stays well but not a betting proposition on seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 70y

17:55 Kilbeggan

Mahler Appeal

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Garrett James Power

Chase winner is yet to score over hurdles but some decent runs in defeat; has been poor chasing lately and needs his best back in this discipline.

22/1

Form: -31111 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Point winner; failed to prosper in Britain; a revelation since joining this stable; has won four from four, three handicap hurdles and a Downpatrick handicap chase last time over a trip just short of 3m; 16lb higher now but is only five and capable of further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24

2nd Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 19y

14:25 Leopardstown

Small Town Hero

10st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won first four races for this stable at around this trip and ran well again here at Christmas when third to Duke Silver, having made most; blinkers now replace cheekpieces but has it to do from 5lb out of handicap, and ideally may want better ground.

20/1

Form: 30-508

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Failed to win over hurdles, often placed; unlikely to make an early chasing breakthrough judged on her first effort at Thurles; needs to jump better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

26th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 122y

15:42 Clonmel

Milanaway

10st 5lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Punchestown handicap hurdle win in December (3m, heavy) is her sole success in 30 runs; not the most consistent mare but she stays well and has a definite chance on her best form.

10/1

9th

2

4th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 20y

16:22 Naas

Milanaway

11st 8lb

J: D G Hogan

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Punchestown win in December (3m, heavy) is her sole success in 29 runs under rules; put a blot on her record at Gowran in January; much more like it when second at Thurles (2m7f, soft) last month; shortlisted.

5/2

Form: 06-545

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Point winner; some promise over hurdles and has been well supported on here last three runs; will need to improve to score on chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

10th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 180y

20:17 Kilbeggan

Hay Baby

11st 0lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Emmet Mullins

Hints of ability in handicap hurdles last year, and well backed on a few occasions; below par at Cork on final start before joining Emmet Mullins; the market may provide a guide.

10/1

17th

5

10th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 80y

17:00 Cork

Hay Baby

11st 1lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Peter Fahey

Point winner; failed to reward backers in first three handicap hurdles; well beaten in Punchestown handicap chase latest (hung left under pressure); a bit to prove.

16/1

Form: 43P-U8 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Sole chase win was gained at Wexford three seasons ago; unseated rider at the third at Sligo on return; struggled at this venue a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 155y

17:20 Wexford

Ardaghs Choice

10st 5lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: E Sheehy

Sole win in 25 chase runs came at this track in 2022; back from a break and others appeal more.

28/1

13

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

17:07 Down Royal

Ardaghs Choice

10st 8lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: E Sheehy

Dual hurdles winner has one chase win as well, gained at Wexford in 2022; recent efforts don't suggest he's on the verge of adding to his tally.

50/1

Form: 53P40- D

Last run: 207 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Uneven form in four starts last season, trainer has a much more obvious chance with Duffys Hodey who had a fine campaign last winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 100y

16:55 Wexford

Plain Or Battered

10st 1lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Course hurdle winner has been running well in defeat over hurdles and fences lately; could have a bit more to offer on his eighth chase run; a player.

6/1

2nd

11

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 154y

18:28 Kilbeggan

Plain Or Battered

11st 4lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

In good form under both codes recently; 3lb outside the weights at Leopardstown but took the third spot (3m, soft); backed that up when runner-up in a Clonmel novice handicap chase last month (3m, soft); withdrawn due to unsuitable good ground at Down Royal last time, so conditions a question.

13/1

Form: /3432/

Last run: 569 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Flattering sort, very expensive to follow; 0-30 under rules (0-15 chasing); placed on 13 occasions; off since a creditable second at Tipperary at the end of the season before last.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

17th Jan 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:00 Navan

Fox Le Bel

10st 4lb

J: Simon Torrens

T: Liz Doyle

No wins from 33 attempts (18 over fences) and getting on in years now; dispiriting form in three runs since returned from a 569-day break; pulled up at Punchestown in November, before refused to race at Tramore later that month; more encouraging at Tramore last time, but 20l behind the winner all the same; best watched.

11/1

Form: 95P245

Last run: 43 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden has claims on her second placing in a 3m1f handicap at Wexford in August; prominent for a long way in a 3m2f contest at Sligo in September.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 157y

15:00 Punchestown

Seventy Eight Team

10st 0lb

J: Conor Clarke

T: Paul John Gilligan

A maiden in 18 starts, four over fences, but put in three fair efforts over fences last year, most notably when second to Hit The Frame at Wexford, before being pulled up at this track over hurdles 177 days ago; 5lb out of the handicap off basement mark here but could go well.

16/1

Form: 6P-000

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Weak form over fences; no encouragement from her three most recent starts over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

14

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

19:18 Roscommon

Spanish Maid

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Off the mark over fences at the ninth attempt in a 1m7f handicap at Tramore (in cheekpieces) and then narrowly followed up back over hurdles (no headgear); higher mark to contend with but she's a thriving mare with a feather weight.

5/1

1st

18

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:20 Punchestown

Spanish Maid

10st 7lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Placed twice over hurdles two seasons ago; moderate form over fences until much improved when second at Wexford in March on her stable debut; was well backed then, and recovered losses when even-money favourite at Tramor last month; excellent chance off a similarly low hurdles mark; stable in form.

7/4

1st

9

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 7f 110y

17:30 Tramore

Spanish Maid

10st 3lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Produced her best handicap run to date on stable debut in a Wexford chase (19.5f, soft) on latest when attracting market support; 3lb higher now but this shorter trip should suit on that evidence; chance.

9/4

Form: 13112- C BF

Last run: 266 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive over hurdles last season; lost out narrowly on return before wins in three of his next four starts; given a break after 8l second in a 2m7f contest here in February; went up 31lb in the process, ending on 112; runs here off a modest 79 on only his second start over fences, the other when pulled up at Tramore on New Year's Day 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Duffys Hodey

10st 3lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Decent performer at a modest enough level, three hurdle wins and twice successful over fences off lower marks this term in Limerick handicaps, most recently last month when patiently-ridden to lead two out for ready 11l win (2m4f, soft); up 9lb but remains 10lb lower than hurdles so remains very much of interest.

9/2

1st

8

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 128y

18:12 Limerick

Duffys Hodey

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three wins last year included a win over fences here over 2m6f; has to rebound from two poor runs since a second at Tramore on New Year's Day.

14/1

Form: P5-700 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has won two chases at a modest level; out of form lately; tailed off at Galway and Sligo last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

22nd Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 155y

17:20 Wexford

Eddies Pride

10st 0lb

J: G B Noonan

T: Norman Lee

Both chase wins have come on soft ground; in poor form since last autumn and makes no appeal.

50/1

Form: -20666

Last run: 83 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Runner-up once over hurdles from nine starts; fair sixth in two chase starts; needs to find extra; only six so improvement is feasible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

22nd Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 155y

17:20 Wexford

Captain Kate

10st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E Sheehy

Maiden has been pulled-up over hurdles and fences the last twice and has to rebound in a major way.

50/1

17

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 120y

19:33 Limerick

Captain Kate

10st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E Sheehy

Runner-up once over hurdles from nine starts (Wexford, 3m, good); sixth in opening two chase starts on better ground but was tailed off over an extended 3m on heavy at Punchestown when last seen in November; improvement required and may need this.

33/1

Form: 9P8-6P

Last run: 113 days

W: 10st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Weak form over hurdles, has failed to complete in three starts over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

20

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

15:35 Down Royal

Imbolc

10st 0lb

J: Sean Cleary-Farrell

T: E Sheehy

Is 0-17 (0-13 over hurdles) and recent form doesn't suggest he's ready to shed his maiden tag.

66/1

18th

22

19th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 20y

15:00 Cork

Imbolc

10st 2lb

J: Conor Clarke

T: E Sheehy

Weak form over hurdles and failed to complete in four starts over fences; can only be watched.

25/1

Betting Forcast

13/2 James The Brave, 12/1 Lovely Reaction, 11/2 Western Model, 5/1 A Great Buzz, 33/1 Ask Mike, 25/1 Mahler Appeal, 3/1 Small Town Hero, 20/1 Milanaway, 12/1 Hay Baby, 33/1 Ardaghs Choice, 25/1 Plain Or Battered, 10/1 Fox Le Bel, 12/1 Seventy Eight Team, 33/1 Spanish Maid, 9/2 Duffys Hodey, 50/1 Eddies Pride, 20/1 Captain Kate, 66/1 Imbolc