Punchestown Race 5 - Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)
Willie Mullins holds the key to this graded hurdle with two unexposed contenders vying for G2 glory. Royal Ascot winner SOBER (4) is the choice of Paul Townend and therefore must be taken very seriously even if he hasn't been seen since June while stablemate FREE SPIRIT (2) will improve for the outing after resuming from an absence since the spring. Both runners rate highly and cannot be dismissed. ROAD EXILE (3) went well last time out scoring a maiden hurdle. This represents a big step up in grade. One to note. FRANKIE JOHN (1) is an honest contender who backs up quickly having gained a win over Christmas. Player.
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Weight: 71.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes racing after a long spell. Having had just one run last preparation won by a head Dieppe on June 4 over 3400m slow going defeating Darling De Chamdou carrying 71kg at $6.10 in a hurdle. When resuming last campaign finished second of 13 starters at Auteuil on October 24 2024 over 3600m, 7 len behind Hassadam with 67kg at $22. Worth including.
Last Starts 233 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 04/06/2025 | 223 | HDLE CL3 CF 4 | $65,140.00 | Dieppe | 3400m | Soft | Leo-Paul Brechet | 71kg | 3:55.80 | 3-1-1 | 0 |
| 0.2L | $6.10 |
| 2/13 | 24/10/2024 | - | HDLE UNR CG 3 | $100,160.00 | Auteuil | 3600m | SH | Bertrand Lestrade | 67kg | 4:25.86 | 3-1-2 | 0 |
| 7.5L | $22.00 |
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Weight: 71.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up finished third of 12 starters at Down Royal on November 1 over 3419m, 5.5 len behind Blake carrying 75.5kg at $2.20. Last start won by 0.8 len Navan on December 6 over 3218m defeating Copacabana carrying 75.5kg at $5 in a hurdle. Open to improvement and warrants thought.
Last Starts 48 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/26 | 06/12/2025 | 35 | MHDLE 5U | $22,790.00 | Navan | 3218m | SH | Jack Kennedy | 75.5kg | 4:19.50 | - | 0 |
| 0.8L | $5.00 |
| 3/12 | 01/11/2025 | 277 | MHDLE 4U | $17,340.00 | Down Royal | 3419m | Y | Jack Kennedy | 75.5kg | 4:22.50 | - | 0 |
| 5.3L | $2.20 |
| 1/6 | 28/01/2025 | 31 | FLAT SELL 4U | $26,010.00 | Limerick | 3218m | Heavy | J H Williamson | 73kg | 4:34.50 | - | 0 |
| 4.8L | $1.44 |
| 2/13 | 28/12/2024 | 55 | FLAT 4U | $18,210.00 | Limerick | 3621m | YS | J H Williamson | 73kg | 4:45.10 | - | 0 |
| 0.1L | $6.00 |
| 1/6 | 03/11/2024 | - | P2P MDN 4 | $0.00 | Rathcannon P2p | 4828m | Good | J W Hendrick | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 0.2L | $1.00 |
Jockey: Paul Townend
Weight: 71.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after seven months. Finished off last preparation winning posted a big 5 len win. Ascot June 21 over 4355m defeating Samui carrying 60.5kg at $1.80. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 1.3 len Killarney May 12 over 4023m defeating Arch Empire carrying 71.5kg at $1.40. Well-placed to overcome the small field
Last Starts 216 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 21/06/2025 | 40 | OPEN 4U | $202,950.00 | Ascot Uk | 4355m | Good Firm | Ryan Moore | 60.5kg | 4:48.04 | 3-2-1 | 3 |
| 5.0L | $1.80 |
| 1/5 | 12/05/2025 | 269 | NHDLE 4U | $19,730.00 | Killarney | 4023m | Y | P Townend | 71.5kg | 5:02.40 | - | 0 |
| 1.3L | $1.36 |
| 1/5 | 16/08/2024 | 34 | CL2 4U | $44,930.00 | Clairefontaine | 2400m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 57.5kg | 2:36.60 | 2-3-1 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $2.10 |
| 5/5 | 13/07/2024 | 48 | G2 OPEN H 4U | $209,340.00 | Longchamp | 2800m | Soft | Alexis Pouchin | 57kg | 3:09.86 | 4-3-5 | 5 |
| 4.2L | $13.00 |
| 4/6 | 26/05/2024 | 28 | G2 OPEN H 4U | $212,770.00 | Longchamp | 3100m | Soft | Alexis Pouchin | 57kg | 3:21.15 | 4-3-4 | 3 |
| 9.3L | $10.00 |
| 5/8 | 28/04/2024 | 29 | G3 OPEN H 4U | $132,450.00 | Longchamp | 3000m | Soft | Alexis Pouchin | 57.5kg | 3:12.97 | 4-4-5 | 8 |
| 10.9L | $7.10 |
| 9/15 | 30/03/2024 | 22 | G2 OPEN 3U | $1,538,460.00 | Meydan | 3200m | Good | Maxime Guyon | 58kg | 3:17.29 | - | 5 |
| 13.2L | $13.00 |
| 2/5 | 08/03/2024 | 201 | CL1 4U | $63,230.00 | Chantilly | 2700m | Neutral | Maxime Guyon | 58.5kg | 2:59.25 | 1-2-2 | 1 |
| 5.0L | $2.40 |
| 1/9 | 20/08/2023 | 37 | G2 OPEN H 3U | $214,170.00 | Deauville | 3000m | Soft | Maxime Guyon | 60kg | 3:13.22 | 5-4-1 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $2.80 |
| 3/7 | 14/07/2023 | 46 | G2 OPEN H 4U | $214,170.00 | Longchamp | 2800m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 59kg | 2:56.45 | 6-5-3 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $3.00 |
| 1/5 | 29/05/2023 | 29 | G2 OPEN H 4U | $211,380.00 | Longchamp | 3100m | Good Soft | Maxime Guyon | 57kg | 3:21.98 | 3-3-1 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $2.90 |