18:00 Punchestown

Friday 1 May 2026

All15:4016:1516:5017:2518:0018:4019:1019:40

Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 5m 16.70s

Bon Viveur^t⁷¹

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

40/1

Made it 2-3 in this sphere and took a step forward in the process when landing a Grade 3 novice at Thurles (21f, heavy) in February. However, he is very much in the shadow of stablemate King Rasko Grey here.

Form: 3-171

Jalon D'oudairies⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

16/1

One of the leading bumper performers of the 2023/24 season who cemented positive start since returning from a lengthy absence when opening hurdles account at Naas in February. However, he was out with the washing in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival next time.

Form: 13/2210

Kiely's Place^h1²⁶

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

10/1

Successful on the second of 2 outings in points and while his pedigree is far from flashy, there was plenty to like about his hurdle debut success at Clonmel in February. Came up short in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 next time but he remains capable of better. Hood applied.

Form: P1-16

King Rasko Grey⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

8/13

Made the frame both starts in bumpers here and has quickly made up into a smart novice hurdler, asserting in good style when landing the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival (21f, good) in March. Hard to oppose.

Form: 4/2-131

Saint Baco²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

12/1

Half-brother to yard's high-class jumper Saint Roi and made a winning Irish debut in a 2m Navan maiden hurdle in December. Has found life tougher in better company since, though, and King Rasko Grey is clearly the stable No 1.

Form: 3-16F5

You Proof^t1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| D

33/1

Looked a useful prospect when making a successful hurdles debut at Limerick in December but struggled in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse since. Tongue tie goes on and a big step forward is needed.

Form: 2/5-17

Echoing Silence⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 130| C

6/1

Confirmed the promise of her debut when landing a Down Royal bumper last spring and successful first 2 starts in this sphere. Wasn't disgraced in the Grade 2 mares novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last time and not without each-way hope upped in trip here.

Form: 1/51-110

Lord Byron^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 141

7/1

Runner-up on second of 2 Flat starts for Aidan O'Brien. Yet to hit the target in 5 outings in this sphere but has acquitted himself well on each occasion, including in Grade 1s at the big Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Place possibilities.

Form: 24454

Non-Runners

Kalypso'chance⁴¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Danny Gilligan

Forecasts

King Rasko Grey (8/13), Echoing Silence (6/1), Lord Byron (7/1), Kiely's Place (10/1), Saint Baco (12/1), Jalon D'oudairies (16/1), Kalypso'chance (25/1), You Proof (33/1), Bon Viveur (40/1)

The tight grip held on this race by Willie Mullins in recent years looks set to continue with KING RASKO GREY's claims hard to ignore on the back of his decisive Cheltenham Festival success. Kiely's Place, one of 4 stablemates, is pretty promising and he gets the nod ahead of the 4-y-o Lord Byron for forecast purposes.