Punchestown Race 5 - Thatprizeguy.co.uk Novice Handicap Hurdle
More was expected last time from LUMIERE DU LARGE (2). Expected to finally get his head in front in this contest now attempting a handicap for the first time. Major player. NEEDS MUST (1) has been a work in progress for Gordon Elliott and got off the mark three weeks ago when winning a maiden hurdle by 3.5L at Fairyhouse. Might be suited by this handicap debut and rates the main danger. We could see major improvement from JACKO STAR (5) now wearing a first time hood. Form of his 4L fourth at Gowran Park during November makes him of interest. Don't rule out the consistent LOUGH NIGARA (6) after his win here in January.
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today. First-up finished seventh of 20 starters at Naas on December 15 over 3822m, 18 len behind Open Secret with 73kg at $67. Second run from a spell won by 3.5 len Fairyhouse on January 15 over 4023m slow track defeating Pat's Legacy carrying 75.5kg at $2.90 in a hurdle. Rates well. Major player again.
Last Starts 19 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/15 | 15/01/2026 | 31 | MHDLE 4U | $18,910.00 | Fairyhouse | 4023m | Soft | Jack Kennedy | 75.5kg | 5:41.70 | - | 0 |
| 3.3L | $2.88 |
| 7/20 | 15/12/2025 | 258 | MHDLE 4 | $22,790.00 | Naas | 3822m | SH | Jordan Gainford | 73kg | 5:06.40 | - | 0 |
| 18.5L | $67.00 |
| 7/16 | 01/04/2025 | 31 | MHDLE 4 | $20,810.00 | Limerick | 3419m | Good | Jody Mcgarvey | 73kg | 4:20.00 | - | 0 |
| 48.8L | $26.00 |
| 7/12 | 01/03/2025 | - | MHDLE 4 | $20,810.00 | Navan | 3218m | Heavy | Jody Mcgarvey | 73kg | 4:22.10 | - | 0 |
| 21.8L | $13.00 |
Jockey: Paul Townend
Weight: 74kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing second-up today. Freshened for 59 days. Fresh up after eight months finished fourth of 19 runners at Cork on December 7 over 3419m, 30 len behind Kazansky carrying 72kg at $1.90. Previously second-up finished eighth of 12 runners at this track in the G1 Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on May 3 over 3218m, 48 len behind Lulamba carrying 66.5kg at $126. Can improve on first up performance. Fitter and sure to improve sharply.
Last Starts 58 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/19 | 07/12/2025 | 218 | MHDLE 4U | $21,680.00 | Cork | 3419m | SH | P Townend | 72kg | 4:30.90 | - | 0 |
| 30.8L | $1.91 |
| 8/12 | 03/05/2025 | 50 | G1 OPEN 4 | $216,790.00 | Punchestown | 3218m | Y | Kevin Sexton | 66.5kg | 3:49.60 | - | 0 |
| 48.5L | $126.00 |
| 10/17 | 14/03/2025 | 93 | G1 OPEN 4 | $269,470.00 | Cheltenham | 3419m | Good Soft | Kevin Sexton | 67.5kg | 4:02.10 | 10-12-10 | 0 |
| 37.0L | $201.00 |
| 2/8 | 11/12/2024 | 60 | HDLE UNR F 3 | $64,720.00 | Pau | 3500m | Heavy | Raphael Mayeur | 68kg | 4:27.10 | 8-2-2 | 0 |
| 1.5L | $2.90 |
| 1/16 | 12/10/2024 | - | CF 3 | $17,770.00 | Les Sables | 2700m | Soft | Anthony Bernard | 62.5kg | 3:00.84 | 6-4-1 | 1 |
| 2.5L | $17.00 |
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Last run won by 0.5 len this track on January 12 over 3922m defeating Sean Mc carrying 74kg at $15 in a novice hurdle. The run before finished seventh of 13 runners at Thurles on December 20 over 3218m, 25 len behind Zeus Power carrying 75.5kg at $11. Big task ahead.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 | 12/01/2026 | 23 | NHDLE HCP 4U | $21,750.00 | Punchestown | 3922m | SH | Simon Torrens | 74kg | 5:31.50 | - | 0 |
| 0.5L | $15.00 |
| 7/13 | 20/12/2025 | 23 | MHDLE 4U | $18,990.00 | Thurles | 3218m | YS | Simon Torrens | 75.5kg | 4:19.80 | - | 0 |
| 25.0L | $11.00 |
| 4/16 | 27/11/2025 | 19 | MHDLE 4U | $18,910.00 | Thurles | 4023m | GY | Simon Torrens | 75.5kg | 5:04.40 | - | 0 |
| 21.8L | $34.00 |
| 8/20 | 08/11/2025 | 202 | MHDLE 5U | $28,370.00 | Gowran Park | 3218m | Heavy | Simon Torrens | 75.5kg | 4:21.90 | - | 0 |
| 18.0L | $67.00 |
| 8/14 | 20/04/2025 | 141 | FLAT 5U | $17,340.00 | Cork | 3822m | Y | Alan O'sullivan | 73kg | 4:40.70 | - | 0 |
| 31.0L | $19.00 |
| 4/10 | 30/11/2024 | - | FLAT 4U | $18,210.00 | Fairyhouse | 3218m | Y | Finian Maguire | 76kg | 3:52.40 | - | 0 |
| 14.3L | $21.00 |
Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Last outing finished third of 11 runners at Naas on January 9 over 3822m, 11 len behind Run For Cover with 74.5kg at $5.50. Race before finished eighth of 16 runners at Naas on December 15 over 3822m, 16 len behind Shellrunforbriggs carrying 75.5kg at $7. Making headway every start. Bold showing expected again.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/11 | 09/01/2026 | 25 | HDLE HCP 4U | $25,530.00 | Naas | 3822m | Y | Eoin Staples | 74.5kg | 4:57.30 | - | 0 |
| 11.5L | $5.50 |
| 8/16 | 15/12/2025 | 16 | MHDLE 4U | $22,790.00 | Naas | 3822m | SH | Keith Donoghue | 75.5kg | 5:18.80 | - | 0 |
| 16.3L | $7.00 |
| 12/24 | 29/11/2025 | 7 | MHDLE 4U | $22,700.00 | Fairyhouse | 3218m | YS | Conor Stone-Walsh | 75.5kg | 4:05.30 | - | 0 |
| 72.0L | $51.00 |
| 5/24 | 22/11/2025 | 209 | MHDLE 4 | $22,700.00 | Punchestown | 3922m | SH | Alix Balfe | 70kg | 5:12.60 | - | 0 |
| 17.3L | $17.00 |
| 5/10 | 27/04/2025 | - | P2P MDN G 4 | $0.00 | Fairyhouse P2p | 4828m | Y | D G Lavery | 60kg | - | - | 0 |
| 8.5L | $1.00 |
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Weight: 71kgs
Stats
Comments
Freshened for 40 days. Last run finished 13th of 18 starters at Leopardstown on December 26 over 3218m, 26 len behind Spinola Bay carrying 70.5kg at $10. The run before finished fourth of 16 runners at Gowran Park on November 8 over 3218m, on heavy track; 4 len behind Chase The Moon carrying 73kg at $6. Hard to make a positive case for him this time.
Last Starts 39 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/18 | 26/12/2025 | 48 | NHDLE HCP 4U | $37,980.00 | Leopardstown | 3218m | Y | L P Dempsey | 70.5kg | 4:03.30 | - | 0 |
| 26.5L | $10.00 |
| 4/16 | 08/11/2025 | 40 | MHDLE 4 | $22,700.00 | Gowran Park | 3218m | Heavy | Mark Walsh | 73kg | 4:16.40 | - | 0 |
| 4.0L | $6.00 |
| 4/15 | 29/09/2025 | 212 | MHDLE 4 | $19,420.00 | Roscommon | 3118m | GY | Keith Donoghue | 73kg | 3:44.90 | - | 0 |
| 7.3L | $11.00 |
| 4/12 | 01/03/2025 | - | MHDLE 4 | $20,810.00 | Navan | 3218m | Heavy | C G O'dwyer | 71kg | 4:22.10 | - | 0 |
| 13.0L | $10.00 |
Jockey: Ricky Doyle
Weight: 67.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Impressive in recent runs. Last outing won by 5.5 len this track on January 12 over 4425m defeating Folly Master carrying 68kg at $6 in a hurdle. Race before finished third of 17 runners at Fairyhouse on January 1 over 5230m, 10 len behind A Year Older with 69kg at $6. Certainly worth including.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 | 12/01/2026 | 11 | HDLE HCP 4U | $21,750.00 | Punchestown | 4425m | SH | Ricky Doyle | 68kg | 6:01.60 | - | 0 |
| 5.5L | $6.00 |
| 3/17 | 01/01/2026 | 41 | HDLE HCP 4U | $21,750.00 | Fairyhouse | 5230m | Y | Ricky Doyle | 69kg | 6:53.00 | - | 0 |
| 10.5L | $6.00 |
| 2/10 | 21/11/2025 | 17 | HDLE HCP 4U | $27,430.00 | Fairyhouse | 4928m | Heavy | Ricky Doyle | 66.5kg | 6:57.60 | - | 0 |
| 2.3L | $3.75 |
| 3/13 | 04/11/2025 | 157 | HDLE HCP 4U | $21,750.00 | Fairyhouse | 4828m | SH | Ricky Doyle | 66kg | 6:46.60 | - | 0 |
| 3.5L | $5.00 |
| 3/18 | 31/05/2025 | 14 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Listowel | 4727m | Good | Ricky Doyle | 71.5kg | 5:47.70 | - | 0 |
| 6.0L | $10.00 |
| 7/14 | 17/05/2025 | 142 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Wexford | 3419m | Good | Ricky Doyle | 71.5kg | 4:20.60 | - | 0 |
| 14.8L | $4.00 |
| 4/10 | 26/12/2024 | 34 | STPLE HCP 4U | $19,310.00 | Limerick | 3520m | YS | Ricky Doyle | 70kg | 4:43.20 | - | 0 |
| 14.3L | $8.00 |
| 6/15 | 22/11/2024 | 217 | NHDLE HCP 4U | $19,080.00 | Tipperary | 4123m | Soft | Ricky Doyle | 66kg | 5:23.30 | - | 0 |
| 24.3L | $17.00 |
| 4/11 | 19/04/2024 | 34 | HDLE HCP 4U | $18,210.00 | Ballinrobe | 4526m | Soft | D J Gilligan | 74kg | 6:11.10 | - | 0 |
| 22.5L | $3.25 |
| 3/11 | 16/03/2024 | 61 | HDLE HCP 4U | $19,080.00 | Thurles | 4626m | Heavy | R A Doyle | 69kg | 6:39.30 | - | 0 |
| 6.3L | $4.33 |
| 3/13 | 15/01/2024 | 36 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Punchestown | 4626m | Soft | R A Doyle | 71.5kg | 6:17.00 | - | 0 |
| 5.5L | $19.00 |
Jockey: Michael Kenneally
Weight: 63.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes off a 37 day letup. Last outing pulled up at Limerick on December 29 over 4526m. Before that finished second of 14 starters at this track on November 13 over 4928m, on a wet track; 0.5 len behind A Great Buzz with 72kg at $5. Find this unsuitable. Others rate better.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0/12 | 29/12/2025 | 46 | NCHSE HCP 4U | $22,790.00 | Limerick | 4526m | SH | John Shinnick | 70.5kg | 6:09.80 | - | 0 |
| 99.0L | $8.00 |
| 2/14 | 13/11/2025 | 39 | STPLE HCP 4U | $18,910.00 | Punchestown | 4928m | Heavy | Michael Kenneally | 72kg | 6:41.00 | - | 0 |
| 0.5L | $5.00 |
| 1/12 | 05/10/2025 | 27 | STPLE HCP 4U | $19,420.00 | Killarney | 4727m | Y | Michael Kenneally | 69kg | 5:53.30 | - | 0 |
| 0.3L | $9.50 |
| 15/19 | 08/09/2025 | 147 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Galway | 4526m | GY | D J Mullins | 74.5kg | 5:49.80 | - | 0 |
| 92.0L | $10.00 |
| 5/11 | 14/04/2025 | 13 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Tramore | 4325m | Y | Tiernan Roche | 74kg | 5:28.20 | - | 0 |
| 19.8L | $4.50 |
| 4/17 | 01/04/2025 | 31 | HDLE HCP 4U | $17,340.00 | Limerick | 3822m | Good | Tiernan Roche | 73.5kg | 4:58.00 | - | 0 |
| 14.3L | $7.00 |
| 8/10 | 01/03/2025 | 35 | MHDLE 4U | $20,810.00 | Navan | 4526m | Heavy | Brian Hayes | 75.5kg | 6:27.70 | - | 0 |
| 27.5L | $41.00 |
| 6/13 | 25/01/2025 | 28 | MHDLE 5U | $20,810.00 | Fairyhouse | 4123m | Soft | Brian Hayes | 75.5kg | 5:16.01 | - | 0 |
| 11.5L | $7.50 |
| 4/13 | 28/12/2024 | 20 | FLAT 4U | $18,210.00 | Limerick | 3621m | YS | D Allen | 73kg | 4:45.10 | - | 0 |
| 17.5L | $41.00 |
| 7/20 | 08/12/2024 | 43 | MHDLE 4U | $21,680.00 | Cork | 3118m | Soft | Brian Hayes | 75.5kg | 3:40.20 | - | 0 |
| 43.5L | $151.00 |
| 6/9 | 26/10/2024 | 195 | FLAT 4 | $18,210.00 | Galway | 3319m | YS | J L Gleeson | 73kg | 3:58.08 | - | 0 |
| 45.5L | $34.00 |