12:20 Punchestown

Thursday 11 December 2025

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

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase

Off time: 12:21 | Winning time: 6m 11.90s

Argento Boy²²⁵

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

3/1

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

Form: 2P1075-

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Autoportrait^p¹⁸

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

40/1

Won maiden hurdle at Navan last March, then sixth of 15 in maiden chase at Cork (11/2) 18 days ago, shaped as if better for the run. Likely to improve for that initial chasing experience.

Form: 32210-6

Ballygunner Castle²³²

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

5/1

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) 7 months ago, best excused given severe mistake after halfway. Should be well suited to fences.

Form: 114230-

Butch Cassidy²⁵

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

6/1

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) 25 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 Glory⁴⁷

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

20/1

Useful hurdler who placed in Grade 2 company, fell at third in 15-runner handicap hurdle at Galway (20/1) 47 days ago on return. Making chase debut.

Form: 13779/F

Fishery Lane²¹

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

40/1

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) 21 days ago. Open to improvement on just second chase start.

Form: 0/31PP-7

Port Joulain²⁷²

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

11/2

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

Form: 10/P310-

Prophet's Corner³⁵

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

8/1

Won handicap hurdle at this C&D in February and ran well when 2nd of 9 in handicap hurdle (5/1) at Clonmel 35 days ago. First run over fences since falling heavily on chase debut.

Form: 3170-F2

Western Walk²⁵

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

18/1

Useful hurdler who unseated rider at second fence in 12-runner chase debut at Navan (50/1) 25 days ago. Should make as good a chaser with improved jumping.

Form: 4/2706-U

Kurasso Blue²¹

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

7/2

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) 21 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

Non-Runners

Kings Hill²⁵¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: P J Gilligan J: Jordan Gainford

Forecasts

Argento Boy (3/1), Kurasso Blue (7/2), Ballygunner Castle (5/1), Port Joulain (11/2), Butch Cassidy (6/1), Prophet's Corner (8/1), Western Walk (18/1), Da Capo Glory (20/1), Kings Hill (33/1), Autoportrait (40/1), Fishery Lane (40/1)

KURASSO BLUE kept on well when second at Thurles 21 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.