Punchestown (Sunday)

A day after the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park, it’s all about stamina once again with the long distance Grand National Trial taking place at Punchestown.

The 3m3½f marathon is the feature contest on an eight race card which also includes a Listed novice hurdle. We have today’s National Trial, plus all the supporting Punchestown races priced up in our horse racing betting markets.

1.30 – 2m½f Novice Chase

Paul Nolan’s I AM LORENZO was the narrow winner of a beginner’s chase at Fairyhouse last month and can follow up today.

The Milan-gelding looks a natural jumper, which is often key in these novice affairs and Sean Flanagan is a decent jockey booking.

2.00 – 2m7f  Beginners Chase

SPREAD BOSS TED was just getting into the race proper when he took a tumble at Navan last time, and will strip fitter for the outing if nothing else.

Fourth in the 2024 Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he should make into an even better chaser and Danny Mullins is in the plate once again.

2.30 – 3m3½f  Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

Gordon Elliott’s LUCKY LYREEN (NAP) was somewhat out in the form wilderness before bouncing right back with a bang at Down Royal last time.

The eight-year-old ground his race out from the back, picking up the leaders late in the piece, and was still staying on at the line.

This extra few furlongs should pose no problems and he’s an each-way bet to nothing at odds of 13/2.

3.00 – 2m (Novice Hurdle (Listed Race)

Joseph O’Brien’s ZEUS POWER ran on to good effect to land the spoils at Navan last month and holds every chance of going in again in this Listed affair.

Now rated 131, the five-year-old gelding can show the betting public out there that he is a Listed class horse.

3.32 – 2m3½f Maiden Hurdle

If KSAR FATAL is ready to go first time out, then the six-year-old could quite easily dominate this very winnable maiden hurdle.

A winner on debut at a PTP, the youngster next won a bumper for Willie Mullins before running poorly at the Punchestown Festival. This afternoon he makes his debut for Barry Connell.

4.02 – 2m6½f  Punchestown Novice Handicap Hurdle

Henry De Bromheads’s KIR has some solid looking form in the locker and should be good enough to figure in the finish here.

The six-year-old’s two performances at Limerick this season are decent looking yardsticks, and it will be nice to see owner Liz Prowting tasting another Irish success.

4.32 – 2m INH Flat Race

As the last race is a special one, let’s go with the new adage “Willie’s in the next to last” instead.

Brian Drew’s HELDAM ran inexplicably poor on debut, but I’m pretty sure the stable will have got to the bottom of that and he was a fairly expensive purchase.

5.02 – 2m  Up The Yard Challenge Race

Natalia Kubacka must be well respected in the Mullins yard to ride the pretty decent hurdler JUMP ALLEN in a flat race challenge.

The odds may well be short, but this horse is your more obvious winner.

 

Leopardstown (Sun) 🇮🇪

I'll be amazed if TEAHUPOO runs today on good to yielding.
À week ago it was soft ground at Leopardstown but has been dry since
The Grade 2 Betfair Cleeve Hurdle would be an ideal alternative at Cheltenham in January
It was soft there last January @BrianAcheson#Leopardstown pic.twitter.com/LQgw60nXx3

— Joe Seward (@JoeSeward1) December 28, 2025

Today’s Leopardstown fancies:

12.10pm – 2m4½f Savills Maiden Hurdle (4yo)

The Paul Nolan stable is always one to keep an eye on over the Christmas holidays and his runner LE MOULIN ROUGE is worth a second look in the opening race.

A faller on his sole PTP run at Monksgrange, he was looking the likely winner that day but for coming down at the second last.

On his first run under Rules, he kept on well in a Wexford maiden hurdle over 2m½f and can be a lively each-way player here.

12.45pm – 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)

If you’re looking for a guaranteed winner almost every other day in Ireland, look no further than Gordon Elliott’s yard and his COYOTE SPIRIT (NAP) can continue the current purple patch of the yard.

The seven-year-old has figured prominently in his last two large field maiden hurdles, and he is of a major interest in his first handicap foray.

1.20pm – 2m5½f Beginners Chase (4yo+)

Gigginstown Stud still get their fair share of winners on the Irish circuit, and their PATTER MERCHANT stands out in this beginners’ chase.

No match for Romeo Coolio at Down Royal, he did as well as could be expected, and his experience nearly came off in his next outing when he was only narrowly beaten at Fairyhouse.

This slightly further trip will help, making him a major player under Jack Kennedy.

1.55pm – 3m Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)

Soon to be an eleven-year-old veteran on January 1^st, pensioner BOB OLINGER can show his younger rivals a clean pair of hooves in what could be one of the last few races of his illustrious career.

A ten-time winner, and the current Stayers’ Hurdle champion, “Bob” certainly has to go down as an each-way candidate in this Christmas Grade 1 affair.

2.30pm – 3m½f Savills Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

Former multiple Gold Cup champion GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can stamp his authority back on this division with victory in this hotly contested chase at Leopardstown.

Back to his imperious best in the Punchestown Gold Cup the last time we saw him race, the old adage “cream always rises to the top” is very true of him, and odds of 2/1 look generous to be honest in the grand scheme of things.

3.05pm – 3m Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) (4yo+)

Finding a proper trier is often half the battle in these qualifiers, and SYSKO can be just that in this race.

Recently engaged to be married Brian Hayes, can show his supporters that he’s still got it and can make a bold show at a punter friendly price.

3.40pm – 2m INH Flat Race (4yo+)

Not a race to get heavily involved in, but Jody Townend riding for Willie Mullins in the bumper certainly attracts my cash, and I make BENTRAGHHILL a win bet in the lucky last.

@horseracingawaydays

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏆HAITI COULEURS Wins The 2025 Welsh Grand National Under Welsh-Man Sean Bowen #horse #ChepstowRaces #horseracing

♬ original sound – H⭕️rse Racing Away Days

Sandown “Whitbread Gold Cup Day” 2025

A massive congratulations to @Sean_Bowen_ , who will be officially crowned Champion Jockey at Sandown tomorrow, from everyone at Perth.🏇 pic.twitter.com/xmYCKytxqI

— perthracecourse (@PerthRacecourse) April 25, 2025

Sandown Jump Racing Season Finale 2025

Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton’s champion trainer battle looks set to go down to the wire on Saturday, but will all the prize money be exclusively theirs, or will some other trainers get in on the action?

Let’s take a look at each of the races:

1.20pm – Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle

Mullins and Skelton aren’t involved in this two mile hurdle, however Dan’s brother Harry is jocked up on FASOL, who comes into the race with a leading chance.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old won nicely at Taunton on March 10, but was let down by his jumping at the same venue two weeks later. If he brushes up his technique, he must go close again and is taken to beat stablemate Sorceleur.

Of the others, Serious Challenge seeks a four-timer, while Give It To Me Oj is rated significantly higher than the rest of the field.

1.50pm – Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase

Riskintheground has certainly hit a purple parch just at the right time for Skelton, but he may just come up short against another rapid improver in the shape of MAHONS GLORY.

Dylan Cunha’s nine-year-old has won his last two races impressively, and if he gets into the same rhythm out front again, they may struggle to peg him back.

2.25pm – Oaksey Chase 

Mullins has sent over a few of his big guns for this Grade 2 Chase, and the stand out name, not only in this race, but on the entire card, is GAELIC WARRIOR.

The seven-year-old was last seen breaking Skelton’s heart in the Aintree Bowl, when beating Grey Dawning with some authority. He’s the class act here and should be punted in the betting market accordingly.

Forecast players may want to include the Topham winner – Gentleman De Mee, who could well follow up on his Aintree success.

3.00pm – Select Hurdle

KITZBUHEL underperformed somewhat in the Liverpool Hurdle, but he should come into his own in this markedly easier Grade 2. Blueking d’Oroux can chase him home.

3.35pm – Celebration Chase

Mullins and Skelton can only hope that JONBON underperforms here, which is highly improbable according to the betting.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star bounced back from his annual Cheltenham flop with his traditional Melling victory, which inevitably then leads to another Celebration celebration.

4.10pm – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Mullins comes into the former Whitbread Chase mob handed and the laws of probability say that he will wrap up the trainers championship here – but with which horse will he do it?

On all known form, HIGH CLASS HERO will be the gelding they all have to beat. You can tell the eight-year-old has been plotted to be Mullins’ trump card in this season ending Grade 1, and at odds of around 6/1 in our horse racing betting, he’s a favourable price for punters too.

Consistent all season, Resplendent Grey wouldn’t be winning out of turn either under champion jockey elect – Sean Bowen.

4.45pm – bet365 Handicap Hurdle

After losing a shoe at Cheltenham’s April meeting, DR EGGMAN can crack on by taking the concluding 2m4f handicap hurdle for the Willie Mullins team.

After decent runs in maiden and novice hurdles this term, the seven-year-old can make an immediate impact on the handicap scene.

Jump Allen ran well at Ayr on Scottish National day, and can be in the mix again.