April 30 / 15.40 Punchestown

15.40

Yielding

Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase

  • Prize money: £20486.96
  • 4m 1f 11y
  • 13 runners
RTE2
View Course
Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: -32595 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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

OUR TIP

25/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: -51P07 C

Last run: 158 days

W: 12st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner, including four over fences; ran a fine race over the orthodox fences when second in a 3m7f handicap at last season's festival; made all to win a Wexford handicap last August before pulling up in the Kerry National; remote seventh behind Desertmore House here in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

4th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 116y

19:48 Bellewstown

Outside The Door

11st 8lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Seven-time winner, including four over fences; made all to win Wexford handicap chase last August; runner-up in the 4m1f La Touche Cup after a break at Punchestown in May; struggled off this sort of mark when last seen hurdling.

12/1

2nd

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Outside The Door

12st 3lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Seven-time winner, including four over fences; ran a fine race over the orthodox fences when second in a 3m7f handicap at last season's festival; made all to win a Wexford handicap last August before pulling up in the Kerry National; remote seventh behind Desertmore House here in November.

25/1

10th

8

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Outside The Door

11st 9lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Padraig Roche

Seven-time winner including three over timber; made all to win a Wexford handicap chase easily in August before pulling up in the Kerry National; now bids to exploit 20lb lower hurdles mark and has won here over fences; chance.

15/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: -02720

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 233/UP

Last run: 54 days

W: 11st 7lb

14 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful hunter chase form at the age of 11 in 2023, third in the Aintree Foxhunter and in the championship event at this meeting; has been struggling this season after a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Lough Derg Spirit

11st 7lb

J: Mr J J Berry

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Useful hunter chase form at the age of 11 in 2023, third in the Aintree Foxhunter and in the championship event at this meeting; has been struggling this season after a long absence.

50/1

4

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

16:53 Gowran Park

Lough Derg Spirit

12st 0lb

J: Mr J W Hendrick

T: Denis Paul Murphy

Veteran has won four times on the track and four times in points; second in this race in 2023 as a prelude to career-best when third (and best of the Irish) in the 27-runner Aintree Foxhunter; did not run in 2024 and lightly raced last year; third of four finishers in a recent Tinahely race; up against it here.

20/1

Form: -75P75 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m beginners' chase for Gordon Elliott last season; lost form and has failed to show anything like his best since joining this team; has reportedly bled, including when a remote seventh behind Vanillier over this course in February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Shannon Royale

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a 3m beginners' chase for Gordon Elliott last season; lost form and has failed to show anything like his best since joining this team; has reportedly bled, including when a remote seventh behind Vanillier over this course in February.

25/1

5th

2

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

Shannon Royale

11st 7lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a 3m beginners' chase for Gordon Elliott last season; lost form and has failed to show anything like his best since joining this team; reported to have bled from the nose at Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day; reportedly bled again in Punchestown cross-country event

16/1

7th

2

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Shannon Royale

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Very useful hurdler and last track success came here in 3m beginners chase just over a year ago (yielding) for Gordon Elliott; well held here in 2m6f handicap in November and reported to have bled from the nose when pulled up in 3m2f Cheltenham handicap on New Year's Day, having not jumped well; questions to answer on cross-country debut.

8/1

Form: P2-1P8 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 41-PPB CD

Last run: 139 days

W: 11st 12lb

14 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 0P567-

Last run: 364 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

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

Form: 73P504

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third of five finishers in the 3m7f Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February, not as good as his second in the same race in 2025; weak handicap form lately; well beaten in previous attempts at this course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 157y

15:00 Punchestown

Bodhisattva

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Kidd

T: John C McConnell

Strong stayer but winless in over three years and 1-24 over fences; positive run when fourth at Haydock two starts ago but didn't show much over the banks lto; mark continues to slide and shouldn't be discounted.

16/1

9th

9

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Bodhisattva

11st 7lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Third of five finishers in the 3m7f Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February, not as good as his second in the same race in 2025; weak handicap form lately; well beaten in previous attempts at this course.

50/1

Form: 61452P

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stays well, won a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe two seasons ago; won a chase on good ground at Wexford last summer; pulled up in the Ulster National a month ago on first run since a 12l second at the Listowel festival; first attempt at this course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

4th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 116y

19:48 Bellewstown

Dorans Law

11st 0lb

J: Brian Barry

T: P J Rothwell

Hurdles/chase winner ran his best race in some time when never-nearer fifth of 12 at Kilbeggan (24.5f, good to yielding) 19 days ago; fairly treated on the pick of his hurdles form; each-way contender.

12/1

5th

14

15th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 100y

19:42 Kilbeggan

Dorans Law

10st 9lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Trip and ground are fine for this hurdle and chase winner but hard to fancy on 2026 form; pulled up in the Ulster National and over the banks at Punchestown; beaten 24l when completing in Limerick handicap chase latest; can only watch back over hurdles.

22/1

6th

4

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 150y

20:18 Limerick

Dorans Law

11st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Decisive winner of handicap chase at Wexford (25.5f, good) last July off 4lb lower; pulled up both starts since returning from a break, in the Ulster National and over the banks at Punchestown; this more suitable but others arrive in better form.

20/1

Form: 85988P C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 7lb

12 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Veteran six-time winner; a shadow of his former self in points and cross-country races, though not disgraced at 100-1 in a handicap chase at Galway last September.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 150y

19:48 Roscommon

Cavalry Master

12st 2lb

J: Mr S E O’Rourke

T: Peter Maher

Bumper/hurdle/chase winner but a veteran now and nothing like the force of old; opposable.

33/1

10

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Cavalry Master

11st 7lb

J: Sean O’Keeffe

T: Peter Maher

Veteran six-time winner; a shadow of his former self in points and cross-country races, though not disgraced at 100-1 in a handicap chase at Galway last September.

100/1

17

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Cavalry Master

10st 2lb

J: Ms J I Stokes

T: Peter Maher

Veteran six-time winner; a shadow of his former self in points and cross-country races, though not disgraced at 100-1 in a handicap chase at Galway last October.

50/1

Form: 0/53P/

Last run: 856 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler for Gordon Elliott in his prime, three wins as well as second in the 2021 Pertemps Final; also runner-up to Busselton over fences at Listowel later that year; has won only once from 16 starts in points; out of sorts since second to Desertmore House at Damma House last November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

The Bosses Oscar

11st 7lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Useful hurdler for Gordon Elliott in his prime, three wins as well as second in the 2021 Pertemps Final; also runner-up to Busselton over fences at Listowel later that year; has won only once from 16 starts in points; out of sorts since second to Desertmore House at Damma House last November.

66/1

0

8

26th Dec 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 0y

14:33 Down Royal

The Bosses Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Miss Georgie Benson

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 1st

10/1

3rd

3

7th Aug 2023

Good

2m 2f 150y

16:18 Cork

The Bosses Oscar

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second, lost second before 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, lost third last, rallied and went third again towards finish

6/1

Form: 7-73P0

Last run: 158 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose sort; 4-38 over jumps, 4-30 on Flat; 66-1 when in rear throughout in the race won by Desertmore House here in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Walking On Glass

11st 7lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Dual-purpose sort; 4-38 over jumps, 4-30 on Flat; 66-1 when in rear throughout in the race won by Desertmore House here in November.

66/1

4

14th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 22y

16:36 Punchestown

Walking On Glass

11st 12lb

J: Peter Smithers

T: Padraig Roche

Dual-purpose; 3-27 over hurdles but without a win in this sphere since October 2022; beaten 7.5l over C&D off this mark in June; four modest efforts on the Flat since; others preferred.

14/1

Non-runners

Vanillier

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €67.00
Straight Forecast €46.05
Tricast €214.46
Trifecta €418.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Desertmore House

TOPSPEED:

The Goffer

The Irish Sun:

Busselton

POSTDATA:

Vanillier

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Desertmore House