16:50 Punchestown
Thursday 30 April 2026
All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:0518:35
Frontline Security Handicap Chase (Listed)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 75y | Yielding | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 7.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Versatile performer shaped better than bare result in a pair of listed handicaps at Leopardstown before seemingly finding 2m on the Old Course at Cheltenham an inadequate test when sixth in the Grand Annual, though he was left with a bit to do.
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Won a Grade 3 handicap at Fairyhouse earlier in the season and coped well with a return to more speed-favouring conditions in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, for all his effort looked to be petering out when falling at the last.
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Showed improved form to get off the mark in a listed novice handicap at Fairyhouse on his latest start, and with the runner-up giving the form a healthy boost subsequently, he cannot be discounted in his bid to follow up.
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Useful sort didn't need to improve to open his chase account at Clonmel (2½m) last time. Drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue, and he looks on a fair mark ahead of this handicap chase debut.
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Plenty of solid form this season but was unable to reel in one that dominated when runner-up for the seventh time in his previous 10 starts at Newbury last time. Finds himself in a much deeper race here, though.
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Became yet another winner to come out of a strong Gowran maiden chase when opening his account with an improved performance at Leopardstown, jumping well to see off Come Walk With Me comfortably and he may have been let-in lightly by the handicapper.
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Hasn't won since the autumn of 2024 and didn't shape as though ready to capitalise on his falling handicap mark when well beaten at Cork earlier this month.
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Hard to knock his form in handicaps this season, finishing fourth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham on latest start. He's still relatively lightly raced for his age and expected to give another good account.
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Winner of a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse off 2 lb higher last season, and he'd shaped as though back in form before crashing out as the race was beginning to take shape in the Topham at Aintree. Cheekpieces now go back on.
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Hasn't kicked on from a promising start over fences, finishing down the field in the Grand Annual last time, though the handicapper has offered some respite on the back of that effort.
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Low-mileage 7-y-o is in excellent hands but again failed to convince with his effort off the bridle when third on handicap debut at Cork. Fitting of a first-time tongue strap and the switch to a bigger field could see him in a better light, though.
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Gave her all when runner-up in a Grade 3 Punchestown novice to end last season and should be closer to that form in first-time cheekpieces here, having looked rusty on reappearance at Fairyhouse.
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Chased home a better-fancied stable when runner-up in a listed handicap at Leopardstown in early-February but this looks a stronger race, and Jack Kennedy looks elsewhere.
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On a long losing run but exceeded expectations from out of the handicap when fifth in the Topham at Aintree last time. Far from guaranteed to back that up over a much shorter trip, though.
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Shaped as though a return to 2m would suit when a useful third in a Grade 3 Novice at Thurles last month. She can have a line put through her latest run (left poorly placed) and looks well worth another chance in a big-field handicap.
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Has caught the eye in recent starts, looking threatening before failing to see out his race in the Plate at Cheltenham (2½m) latest, and he makes plenty of appeal back down in trip, with first-time tongue strap to boot.
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Had the race run to suit when notching a career-best success in this race 12 months ago and connections have probably had one eye on a repeat, now returning off only 1 lb higher with Richie McLernon back in the saddle for the first time since last year's success.
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Very much on the up since joining current yard, finishing fourth in a competitive handicap at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day, and there could be more to come on his return.
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Did well to finish third behind a pair who were ridden more prominently in a veterans chase at Wexford last time but finds himself in much deeper waters here.
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Took a step back in the right direction over hurdles at Downpatrick last time, though will likely find this too competitive, even if back to his best.
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Forecasts
Come Walk With Me (4/1), Release The Beast (5/1), McLaurey (6/1), Raffles Dolce Vita (13/2), Sky Lord (9/1), Coral River (11/1), Ballysax Hank (12/1), Escapeandevade (16/1), Petit Tonnerre (16/1), Jalila Moriviere (18/1), Seskin Flash (20/1), Relieved Of Duties (22/1), Western Diego (25/1), Golden Joy (28/1), Dont Go Yet (33/1), Birdie Or Bust (33/1), Indiana Jones (40/1), The King Of Prs (40/1), Path D'oroux (80/1), Tuckmill (125/1)
MCLAUREY bagged a valuable pot as a hurdler last season and has been shaping as though a repeat could be on the cards over fences. He gets the vote for the shrewd Emmet Mullins stable, though unexposed 5-y-o Raffles Dolce Vita makes plenty of appeal on handicap debut, while last year's winner Petit Tonnerre is reunited with Richie McLernon (2-2) and may again have the race run to suit. Jalila Moriviere completes the shortlist in an ultra-competitive renewal.
- McLaurey6/1
- Petit Tonnerre16/1
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: €45,000.002nd: €15,000.003rd: €7,500.004th: €3,750.005th: €2,251.006th: €1,500.00
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