18:35 Punchestown

Thursday 1 May 2025

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:35

JP & M Doyle (C & G) Flat Race

Off time: 18:36 | Winning time: 4m 5.30s

Baron Noir⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: A King

12/1

Improver switched to this yard, opening his account after 8 months off in a Plumpton bumper (17.7f) in December. Progressed again when third in listed company at Newbury (16.3f) in February and he rates an each-way player.

Form: 38-13

Brave Crogha²⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss A B O'Connor| T: I Madden

200/1

Much improved on previous form when running out a 200/1 winner of 13-runner bumper at Galway (18f) in August. Confirmed that no fluke with creditable efforts next 2 starts in the autumn but he looks vulnerable to less exposed types back from a break.

Form: 0-0135

Dani Donadoni³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss J Townend| T: W P Mullins

9/1

Order of St George gelding who justified his strength in the betting when winning 13-runner bumper at Limerick (19f, good) on NH debut 30 days ago, by 7 lengths from Powerful Paddy. Open to improvement for his top stable and well worthy of respect.

Form: 1

Edward Sexton⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D H Dunsdon| T: G & J Moore| OR: 113

20/1

Placed on first 2 starts before landing the odds in a small field at Fontwell (13f, good) in March, coping well with the sharper test. This is a much tougher assignment.

Form: 231

El Cairos⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr David Maxwell| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130| D

9/2

Irish point winner who made a successful start to his Rules career in a Newbury bumper in November. Ran a stormer despite troubled passage when 5 lengths fifth of 17 in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (good to soft) 4 months later and sets the form standard here.

Form: 1-15

Goldinthemountains^t¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: M Brassil| D

14/1

Useful bumper winner on stable debut back in 2023 who shaped better than distance beaten suggests when fifth in bumper here 12 months ago. In process of running well when falling on hurdles debut at Leopardstown (2m) in December and not without hope back in this sphere.

Form: 4/15-F

Kilwaughter²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

7/1

£120,000 acquisition following success in a Down Royal bumper (17.2f) in December. Ran to a similarly useful level despite still showing signs of inexperience when sixth in Aintree Grade 2 4 weeks ago and likely there's more to come (shapes like he'll stay further).

Form: 16

Koktail Brut²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr H C Swan| T: G Elliott| OR: 124| D

9/1

Expensive recruit after landing a point and he struck in good style in Fairyhouse bumper on Rules debut in December. Similar form in defeat all 3 starts since, third of 15 in Grade 2 bumper at Aintree (17f) 26 days ago. Looks up to playing his part.

Form: 1-1443

Ksar Fatal⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

5/4

Easy winner sole start in points (Oct 2024) and looked something out of the ordinary when maintaining his unbeaten record in 10-runner bumper at Gowran (18f, heavy, evens) on NH debut 54 days ago, produced to lead under 2f out and driven clear. Very much of interest in this stronger affair.

Form: 11

L' Evangeliste⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr E P O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: E McNamara| D

28/1

Pastorius gelding who confirmed debut promise when winning 12-runner bumper at Limerick (16.2f, good to soft) 49 days ago, awarded race having been badly impeded. This demands another step forward if he's to play a lead role, however.

Form: F1-31

Ned Hill^t⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr F Maguire| T: F O'Brien

40/1

A 6-figure store from a very good jumping family, was fitted with a tongue strap for debut (having also already had a breathing operation) when fourth at Wetherby in February but showed promise, left poorly placed and not beaten far. Seems sure to improve.

Form: 4

Powerful Paddy³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: Alan McIntyre

50/1

Jukebox Jury gelding who matched debut form at the second attempt when 7 lengths second of 13 to Dani Donadoni in bumper (4/1) at Limerick (19f, good) 30 days ago. Gets a handy weight pull with that rival here but he still looks vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 342

Non-Runners

He Can't Dance⁵⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Josh Williamson

Dark Eagle

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: R McNeilly J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ksar Fatal (5/4), El Cairos (9/2), Kilwaughter (7/1), Dani Donadoni (9/1), Koktail Brut (9/1), Baron Noir (12/1), Goldinthemountains (14/1), He Can't Dance (14/1), Edward Sexton (20/1), L' Evangeliste (28/1), Ned Hill (40/1), Powerful Paddy (50/1), Dark Eagle (66/1), Brave Crogha (200/1)

An easy winner of his sole start in points, KSAR FATAL looked something out of the ordinary when readily maintaining his unbeaten record in a Gowran bumper in March. He's fancied to make another bold bid in this stronger affair, with El Cairos, who was a good fifth in the Champion Bumper, also shortlisted. Dani Donadoni and Gordon Elliott-trained pair Koktail Brut and He Can't Dance complete the shortlist.