16:15 Punchestown

Tuesday 28 April 2026

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0518:35

PRL Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 4m 9.00s

Blake²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 138| D

17/2

Useful Flat winner who made second start over hurdles a winning one at Down Royal in November. Better form in defeat at a much higher level since, pushing Le Labo close in Grade 3 at Naas before falling at the last when still upsides Koktail Brut in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse.

Form: 2-1252F

Eachtotheirown^h1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Flanagan| T: B Connell| OR: 135

16/1

Second in both bumpers and went one better in Galway maiden hurdle in October. Made a mockery of his opening mark at Thurles in January but limitations rather exposed when well held in Supreme at Cheltenham since, albeit racing freely. Hood now applied.

Form: 22-1510

El Cairos⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

2/1

Smart in bumpers for the Moores and would have made impressive winning start over hurdles but for stumbling/falling after the last at Leopardstown. Survived a bad mistake to win a maiden at Thurles next time before excellent fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham, faring best of the Irish. Big player.

Form: 152-F15

Free Spirit^t1⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 132| D

22/1

Ex-French winner who has been highly tried both starts for current connections and this another big ask at this stage of his career. Tongue strap re-applied.

Form: 2-130

Koktail Brut²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 141| C| D

9/2

Winner of a couple of Grade 2s this season, including when defying a penalty with a career-best performance at Fairyhouse earlier this month, albeit aided by others underperforming and a late fall from Blake when the race was still in the balance. Behind El Cairos in Supreme before that.

Form: 117481

Le Labo⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J L Gleeson| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 139

9/1

Gained immediate compensation for his last-flight fall at Cork (would have won) when edging out the re-opposing Blake in Naas Grade 3 (2m, heavy) 7 weeks ago. Open to further progress so well worth a shot at this level.

Form: 10-UF1

Skylight Hustle^h1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

10/3

Confirmed hurdling debut promise when easy winner of 24-runner maiden at Fairyhouse. Took advantage of Talk The Talk's last-flight fall to follow up in Grade 1 at Leopardstown a month later. Pulled too hard at Cheltenham Festival since and worth another chance back down in trip with a hood applied.

Form: 14-211F

Too Bossy For Us^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140| C

11/1

Useful form in defeat on the Flat last summer and highly tried over hurdles but did win a maiden here (2m, heavy) in February. Never a threat when sixth in Supreme at Cheltenham next time but disappointed in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse since, pulling hard.

Form: 75-16P

Non-Runners

Sober⁴⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: W P Mullins J: Paul Townend

Forecasts

El Cairos (2/1), Skylight Hustle (10/3), Koktail Brut (9/2), Sober (6/1), Blake (17/2), Le Labo (9/1), Too Bossy For Us (11/1), Eachtotheirown (16/1), Free Spirit (22/1)

LE LABO had the measure of subsequent Grade 2 winner Kazansky when coming to grief at Cork before making amends in a Grade 3 at Naas (edged out Blake) and looks well worth a shot at this level with further progress very likely. Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand with El Cairos, Skylight Hustle and Koktail Brut, the first named arguably the pick having fared best of the Irish in the Supreme.