18:05 Punchestown

Friday 2 May 2025

All15:4016:1516:5017:2518:0518:4019:1019:40

Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 5m 3.0s

Belloccio^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| C

22/1

Impressive when making a winning hurdles debut here (2m) last spring before following up in valuable Royal Ascot handicap a month later. Mixed bag followed but back on track when keeping on for third in Garde 2 novice hurdle at Naas (2m) 26 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 1583

Eastern Legend^t,p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley| T: J S Bolger| OR: 132

125/1

Useful handicapper on the level who capitalised on the drop in grade when running out a ready winner of a Navan maiden hurdle (2m) in March. However, found things tougher returned to graded company at Fairyhouse 26 days ago and this another tall ask.

Form: 223U15

Final Demand⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| D

7/4

Most impressive in landing first 2 starts over hurdles, taking the rise in class in his stride when a dominant winner of Grade 1 at Leopardstown (22.2f) in February. Emerged with plenty of credit when third in Turners at Cheltenham (The Yellow Clay second) and he remains a leading prospect.

Form: 1-113

Funiculi Funicula²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141

14/1

Runner-up only start in France in 2023 and made light of 15-month absence when an easy winner of a Clonmel maiden (17f) on yard debut in January. Well beaten in Supreme next time but firmly back on track when third in Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (20f) 4 weeks ago. Each-way claims again.

Form: 2-193

Lovely Hurling⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: Colm Murphy

11/1

Different proposition when landing a Wexford bumper (20f) 12 months ago and looked a very useful prospect after 8 months off when readily landing 15-runner Naas maiden (18.5f) in February. Remains with untapped potential and worth his place at this higher level.

Form: 7-11

Queensbury Boy^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr David Maxwell| T: Harry Derham| OR: 131| D

11/1

£130,000 purchase after Irish point win. Showed smart form in bumpers, winning on Rules debut at Chepstow before excellent second in much deeper field at Punchestown last spring. Completed a fairly simple task in making it 2-2 over hurdles at Newbury (20.5f) in March and he'll go on improving.

Form: /12-11

The Yellow Clay⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 155

5/4

Really likeable sort who brought up the 4-timer when bagging Lawlor's Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, soft) in January. Lost little caste in defeat when second to The New Lion in Grade 1 Turners at the Festival latest and he's a leading player once more.

Form: -11112

Tripoli Flyer²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| BF

14/1

Improved in bumpers last season and highly progressive sent hurdling this time around, taking rise in class in his stride when bringing up the hat-trick in Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton (2m) in February. Seriously let down by his jumping at Aintree latest but a return to a right-handed track may help.

Form: -21116

Non-Runners

Mr Percy²⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: J P O'Brien J: J J Slevin

Forecasts

The Yellow Clay (5/4), Final Demand (7/4), Lovely Hurling (11/1), Queensbury Boy (11/1), Mr Percy (12/1), Tripoli Flyer (14/1), Funiculi Funicula (14/1), Belloccio (22/1), Eastern Legend (125/1)

THE YELLOW CLAY may have lost his unbeaten record over hurdles but he still emerged with plenty of credit when runner-up in Grade 1 company at Cheltenham in March and, with further progress anticipated, he looks to hold prime claims again. The similarly exciting Final Demand finished a place behind the selection on his most recent start and can provide chief resistance. Lovely Hurling and Tripoli Flyer rate next best.