14:30 Punchestown

Thursday 30 April 2026

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

Specialist Group Novice Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 5.70s

Colcannon^h²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Donagh Meyler| T: N Meade| OR: 125| D

5/2

Smart bumper performer who belatedly built on the promise of his hurdling debut when winning 25-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) earlier in the month, leading on bridle before 2 out. Will need to improve again to take this but that's possible.

Form: 13-2641

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Fort Dino^t1³³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mike O'Connor| T: H De Bromhead

22/1

Only fourth at Dieppe on debut but showed plenty of improvement despite making a fairly serious error at the fourth when winning 11-runner juvenile at Auteuil (17f, soft) when last seen 11 months ago. Has since left Hugo Merienne and should progress again (tongue tied here).

Form: 41

Friary Road^t¹⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: T M Walsh| OR: 120| CD

40/1

Made a winning hurdling debut at Navan last September but has failed to complete on both subsequent starts, keeping on from a poor position when coming down at the last on handicap debut here (17f, soft) in November. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 157-1PF

Gameball^h1¹⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 133| CD

5/1

Bumper winner for Andy Slattery in July and followed up on Punchestown hurdle debut for this yard 12 weeks later. Took a step forward up in grade when fourth of 8 in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, soft) in November and should have more to offer. Hood applied.

Form: 114

Leader D'allier^t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| BF| CD

3/1

Multiple bumper winner in France for Mathieu Pitart and built on promising yard/hurdling debut effort when easily landing the odds here in January. Proved a major let-down even so stepping up in class when tailed off in Hardy Eustace Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse recently so bounce back needed.

Form: 111214

Nadia's Boy²¹⁶

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

6/1

Successful on sole outing in points and also made a winning start under Rules in Kilbeggan bumper last summer. Maintained unbeaten record sent hurdling in 11-runner maiden at Listowel back in September and with that form franked since, he's a major player with further progress likely.

Form: 1/11

Ionian⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 114

10/1

Has been placed twice from 4 starts in this sphere, giving it a good shot from the front when third in a 10-runner Warwick novice (2m, good to soft) 8 weeks ago. English raider who will need to up his game pitched against some useful prospects from W. P. Mullins.

Form: 6-6243

Techno Davis⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien

10/1

€160,000 3-y-o, No Risk At All gelding. Half-brother to fair hurdler Disco Davis, stays 2½m. Won sole start in points (Mar 21) and will be interesting to see what the market makes of him on debut for his in-form handler.

Form: 1

Beauvallon³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

28/1

Fair maiden on Flat in France who left his hurdling debut form behind in recording a first career success in 11-runner juvenile at Limerick (2m, soft, 6/4) last month, his jumping in need of polish. Will go on improving as he gains experience.

Form: 51

Immediate Effect^p⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 128| BF| CD

14/1

Useful Flat winner for Sir Mark Prescott and made a winning start over hurdles for new yard in maiden over C&D on New Year's Eve. Found Grade 1 at Leopardstown too demanding next time and can probably have his latest effort in listed company overlooked.

Form: 155

Alwaysgoinhome

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: B Cawley

300/1

Dawn Approach gelding. Dam bumper winner. Best watched on debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Colcannon (5/2), Leader D'allier (3/1), Gameball (5/1), Nadia's Boy (6/1), Techno Davis (10/1), Ionian (10/1), Immediate Effect (14/1), Fort Dino (22/1), Beauvallon (28/1), Friary Road (40/1), Alwaysgoinhome (300/1)

Willie Mullins looks to hold all the aces in this opener. Preference is for NADIA'S BOY, who maintained his unbeaten record (including in a point) sent hurdling at Listowel back in September and with that form having been franked by the runner-up since, he can extend his winning sequence. Leader d'Allier needs to put a lesser effort behind him but he heads up the dangers, with Beauvallon and Colcannon taken to fight out minor honours.