16:50 Punchestown

Tuesday 28 April 2026

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

Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 6m 31.80s

Fleur In The Park²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Cian Quirke| T: A Slattery| OR: 153

11/1

Has taken really well to chasing, producing a career-best effort when landing Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (2½m, soft) 23 days ago by 2¾ lengths from Kappa Jy Pyke. Aided by a couple of non-completions but no fluke about the performance.

Form: 3-21251

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Kappa Jy Pyke²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| C

15/2

Hasn't stood much racing but talented when making it to the track, winning a maiden/Grade 3 switched to fences this term and better than result when 2¾ lengths second to Fleur In The Park in WillowWarm Gold Cup Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse (2½m, soft) 23 days ago, conceding first run. Up in trip.

Form: 169-112

Kitzbuhel⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| C| D

4/5

Smart over hurdles and quickly reached the same level over fences, producing a bold-jumping performance from the front when landing the Kauto Star at Kempton. Lugged right when unseating at Sandown but quickly over that blip when landing Brown Advisory Novices' Chase last month. One to beat.

Form: 53-11U1

Nowwhatdoyouthink^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Quinlan| T: R Hackett| OR: 136

33/1

Useful chaser who didn't need to improve to win 3-runner Grade 3 chase at Cork (3m) 23 days ago by 6½ lengths from Broomfield Bijou, comfortably. Easy enough to look elsewhere at this level, though.

Form: 533121

Oscars Brother¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Daniel King| T: Connor King| OR: 151| C

9/1

Better than ever when winning a pair of Grade 2s (including at this track) in the autumn. Kept on well for fourth in the Brown Advisory Chase won by Kitzbuhel before finding the Grand National too much of an examination at this stage of his career. Better expected here.

Form: 21114U

Predators Gold²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146| C

7/1

Impressive winning chase debut at Navan in December. Behind Kappa Jy Pyke and Jacob's Ladder in Grade 3 over 2½m here next time but Paul Townend kept the faith and he was set to go very close when falling 2 out WillowWarm Gold Cup Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse. Up in distance.

Form: 253/13F

Spanish Harlem^p,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| CD

40/1

Won the Kerry National at Listowel in September and looked set to add the Thyestes at Gowran (25f, heavy) in January only to unseat at the last. Pulled up in the Grand National and has now failed to complete on his last 4 outings.

Form: 11PUPP

Western Fold²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 155

18/1

Went 0-5 over fences last season but has been a totally different proposition in the first half of this campaign, winning 4 times, including Galway Plate and Gowran Grade 2. Back from a break with a second in Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown but well held completed start since.

Form: 11320B

July Flower⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

12/1

Looked a natural when making a winning chase bow at Limerick before producing a smart effort to follow up in 2m Grade 2 at Cheltenham. Not disgraced against the males in Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day but 23¼ lengths fifth of 8 to Dinoblue in the Mares' Chase shows her limitations.

Form: 55-1135

Non-Runners

Lovely Hurling⁵⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: Colm Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kitzbuhel (4/5), Predators Gold (7/1), Kappa Jy Pyke (15/2), Lovely Hurling (8/1), Oscars Brother (9/1), Fleur In The Park (11/1), July Flower (12/1), Western Fold (18/1), Nowwhatdoyouthink (33/1), Spanish Harlem (40/1)

KITZBUHEL has a very likeable way of going about things and he can sign off his novice campaign with a third Grade 1 success having doubled his tally in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last month. Stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke and Lovely Hurling tackle 3m for the first time and they could be the pair to offer most resistance.