12:20 Punchestown

Tuesday 9 December 2025

All11:5012:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:23

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

4YO plus | 2m 7f 12y | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| CD

Won maiden hurdle at this C&D in February before finishing fifth of 8 in Grade 1 hurdle here (12/1) 223 days ago, showing more zest in cheekpieces but jumping sketchily. Makes chase debut today with cheekpieces removed.

Form: 2P1075-

Autoportrait^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Gavin Brouder| T: M F Morris

Won maiden hurdle at Navan last March, then sixth of 15 in maiden chase at Cork (11/2) 16 days ago, shaped as if better for the run. Likely to improve for that initial chasing experience.

Form: 32210-6

Ballygunner Castle²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

Maiden hurdle winner at Fairyhouse who produced best effort when third in Grade 2 hurdle. Finished 10th of 14 in Listed hurdle at Perth (17/2) 230 days ago, best excused given severe mistake after halfway. Should be well suited to fences.

Form: 114230-

Butch Cassidy²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| C

Won a bumper and a maiden hurdle from first 2 starts, showing a willing attitude. Fourth of 12 in maiden chase at Navan (17/2) 23 days ago, shaping with encouragement on chasing debut after 8 months off. Will benefit from this return to longer trip and remains open to improvement over fences.

Form: 1/153-4

Da Capo Glory⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: Padraig Butler| C

Useful hurdler who placed in Grade 2 company, fell at third in 15-runner handicap hurdle at Galway (20/1) 45 days ago on return. Making chase debut.

Form: 13779/F

Fishery Lane¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins

Won a maiden hurdle in January before two pulled-up efforts, then finished seventh of 11, beaten 15¾ lengths, in a maiden chase at Thurles (7/1) 19 days ago. Open to improvement on just second chase start.

Form: 0/31PP-7

Kings Hill²⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Gainford| T: P J Gilligan

Below form in recent hurdle runs, finishing 11th of 17 in a handicap at Aintree (40/1) 249 days ago. Making chase debut with little to encourage.

Form: 2370P0-

Port Joulain²⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| C

Won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in January before finishing 11th of 20 in Grade 1 at Cheltenham (50/1) 270 days ago. Making chase debut.

Form: 10/P310-

Prophet's Corner³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Allen⁽⁷⁾| T: Sean Allen| CD

Won handicap hurdle at this C&D in February and ran well when 2nd of 9 in handicap hurdle (5/1) at Clonmel 33 days ago. First run over fences since falling heavily on chase debut.

Form: 3170-F2

Western Walk²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr A P Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Jonathan Sweeney

Useful hurdler who unseated rider at second fence in 12-runner chase debut at Navan (50/1) 23 days ago. Should make as good a chaser with improved jumping.

Form: 4/2706-U

Kurasso Blue¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| BF| D

Won two of his first four starts, including a hurdle race at Limerick in March. Second of 11 in a maiden chase at Thurles (5/2 favourite) 19 days ago, keeping on well after making a mistake early on. Sure to progress as jumping technique improves and looks a natural chaser in the making.

Form: 151-2

Forecasts

Kurasso Blue (11/8), Ballygunner Castle (6/1), Port Joulain (7/1), Argento Boy (8/1), Da Capo Glory (10/1), Butch Cassidy (10/1), Western Walk (12/1), Fishery Lane (14/1), Kings Hill (16/1), Prophet's Corner (20/1), Autoportrait (20/1)

KURASSO BLUE kept on well when second at Thurles 19 days ago despite an early mistake and looks a natural chaser who will surely progress with more jumping experience. Butch Cassidy shaped encouragingly on chasing debut at Navan and should appreciate this return to a longer trip. Ballygunner Castle has the stamina reserves to make a good chaser based on his hurdles form.