Punchestown Race 1 - William Hill Challenge Series 3-Y-O Hurdle
SEA OF DUBKA (8) looked a natural providing hurdle debut when a 16L winner at Killarney. Winning margin rather exaggerated given a final flight fall in opposition but remains a high class prospect and rates as the one to beat. DANNY POWER (2) went clear succeeding by 8L at Listowel. In a better race now but open to progression and easy to fancy. CONTADOR (3) showed ability for former connections on two occasions tackling the flat in France. Looks the type to excel now hurdling having moved to top trainer. Key player. BELL EX TOO (1) showed a great attitude when a neck winner at Ballinrobe. Could easily go back to back.
Jockey: Paddy Cody
Weight: 71.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Useful gelding. Comes off a 32 day let-up. Last start favourite; won by a neck Ballinrobe on September 11 over 3621m defeating Neon Eyes with 67.5kg at $3 in a hurdle. The run before finished ninth of 18 starters at Galway on July 31 over 2816m, 21 len behind Vantage Code with 58.5kg at $67. Rates well. Hard to leave out on current form.
Last Starts 31 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/13 | 11/09/2026 | 42 | MHDLE 3 | $20,680.00 | Ballinrobe | 3621m | GY | Paddy Cody | 67.5kg | 4:22.50 | - | 0 |
| 0.3L | $3.00 |
| 9/18 | 31/07/2026 | 20 | HCP 3U | $30,480.00 | Galway | 2816m | YS | Adam Caffrey | 58.5kg | 3:13.15 | - | 16 |
| 21.3L | $67.00 |
| 6/6 | 11/07/2026 | 29 | HCP 3 | $25,850.00 | Limerick | 2514m | Good | Ben Coen | 62.5kg | 2:41.54 | - | 4 |
| 11.0L | $6.00 |
| 7/17 | 12/06/2026 | 50 | SELL MDN 3U | $34,460.00 | Fairyhouse | 2414m | Good | A C Persse | 57.5kg | 2:38.76 | - | 17 |
| 17.3L | $13.00 |
| 5/7 | 23/04/2026 | 26 | MDN 3 | $30,540.00 | Dundalk | 2414m | Neutral | Donagh O'connor | 61kg | 2:36.64 | - | 7 |
| 4.3L | $34.00 |
| 6/10 | 28/03/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $34,460.00 | Curragh | 2011m | SH | W J Lee | 61kg | 2:24.24 | - | 10 |
| 17.5L | $51.00 |
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Weight: 71.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Encouraging to post a big 8 len win. Listowel on September 20 over 3218m defeating Chairmanforlife carrying 69kg at $4 in a hurdle. Chance to go for two from two. Can only be further improved and looks hard to beat again.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 20/09/2026 | - | HDLE 3 | $25,850.00 | Listowel | 3218m | Good | D J O'keeffe | 69kg | 3:48.10 | - | 0 |
| 8.5L | $4.00 |
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Weight: 69kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after a four months break. Finished off last campaign 2 of 7 starters at Lyon-Parilly June 21 over 2400m, 1.0 len behind Set Apart with 58.5kg at $1.70. First ever start ran 5 of 9 runners at Compiegne May 25 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Now For Glory carrying 57kg at $4.50. Bold showing likely.
Last Starts 113 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/7 | 21/06/2026 | 27 | MDN 3 | $31,170.00 | Lyon Parilly | 2400m | Good Soft | Mickael Barzalona | 58.5kg | 2:35.76 | 4-2-2 | 5 |
| 1.0L | $1.70 |
| 5/9 | 25/05/2026 | - | UNR 3 | $40,490.00 | Compiegne | 2000m | Good Soft | Marie Velon | 57kg | 2:12.99 | 6-6-5 | 3 |
| 4.4L | $4.50 |
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Weight: 69kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing second-up. First race start ran last at Leopardstown on May 10 over 2414m, 20 len behind Cannes carrying 61kg at $81. Returned from break finished seventh of 11 starters at Listowel on September 20 over 3218m, 26 len behind Danny Power with 69kg at $19. Unlikely to be contesting the finish here.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/11 | 20/09/2026 | 133 | HDLE 3 | $25,850.00 | Listowel | 3218m | Good | D J Mullins | 69kg | 3:48.10 | - | 0 |
| 26.3L | $19.00 |
| 8/8 | 10/05/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $29,300.00 | Leopardstown | 2414m | Good | Seamie Heffernan | 61kg | 2:37.44 | - | 4 |
| 20.0L | $81.00 |
Jockey: J J Slevin
Weight: 69kgs
Stats
Comments
Racing second-up. First race start raced on the pace prior to fading finished fifth of 23 runners at Curragh on March 15 over 1609m, in the wet; 10 len behind Victory Tip carrying 59.5kg at $7. Went for a spell before returning finished fourth of 18 starters at Curragh on September 26 over 2011m, 6 len behind Come What May with 61kg at $6. Right in the mix.
Last Starts 16 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/18 | 26/09/2026 | 195 | MDN 3U | $34,460.00 | Curragh | 2011m | GY | Joseph Sheridan | 61kg | 2:07.72 | - | 18 |
| 5.8L | $6.00 |
| 5/23 | 15/03/2026 | - | MDN 3U | $34,460.00 | Curragh | 1609m | Heavy | Joseph Sheridan | 59.5kg | 1:51.21 | - | 11 |
| 10.5L | $7.00 |
Jockey: Aidan Kelly
Weight: 69kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. At only start last campaign finished 12th of 13 starters at Navan on March 30 over 2011m, on rain affected going; 31 len behind Sir Benji with 61kg at $81. May well have improved over the break, but still favouring others.
Last Starts 196 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/13 | 30/03/2026 | - | SELL MDN 3 | $44,220.00 | Navan | 2011m | Heavy | Leigh Roche | 61kg | 2:20.80 | - | 9 |
| 31.8L | $81.00 |
Jockey: Peter Smithers
Weight: 69kgs
Stats
Comments
Is second-up today and making a debut in a jumps race. Last start ran last at Curragh on September 27 over 2011m, in the wet; 67 len behind Fianna carrying 69kg at $41. Looks outclassed again here.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/18 | 27/09/2026 | 181 | HCP 3U | $31,020.00 | Curragh | 2011m | Heavy | Aine O'connor | 69kg | 2:14.28 | - | 22 |
| 67.8L | $41.00 |
| 12/13 | 30/03/2026 | 214 | HCP 3 | $20,680.00 | Navan | 2011m | Heavy | Chris Hayes | 59kg | 2:22.65 | - | 9 |
| 22.5L | $10.00 |
| 3/9 | 28/08/2025 | 21 | CLM MDN 2 | $31,220.00 | Navan | 1609m | Y | Jamie Powell | 53.5kg | 1:45.13 | - | 8 |
| 4.0L | $8.50 |
| 9/9 | 07/08/2025 | 19 | MDN 2 | $34,690.00 | Leopardstown | 1609m | Good | James J G Ryan | 59.5kg | 1:42.50 | - | 4 |
| 14.3L | $301.00 |
| 14/15 | 19/07/2025 | 21 | MDN 2 | $34,690.00 | Curragh | 1408m | Good | James J G Ryan | 58kg | 1:27.15 | - | 2 |
| 9.8L | $301.00 |
| 11/13 | 28/06/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $34,690.00 | Curragh | 1408m | Good | James J G Ryan | 58kg | 1:24.48 | - | 2 |
| 16.3L | $101.00 |
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe
Weight: 68.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Useful filly. Comes off a 54 day let-up. Last run favourite; won by 16 len Killarney on August 20 over 3419m defeating Minella Buoy carrying 66.5kg at $2.30 in a hurdle. Before that to post a big 3.5 len win. Down Royal on July 17 over 2615m defeating Augusta Rock carrying 61kg at $4. Can make it two-for-two in jumps races.
Last Starts 53 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/11 | 20/08/2026 | 34 | MHDLE 3 | $20,680.00 | Killarney | 3419m | Good | D J O'keeffe | 66.5kg | 4:05.90 | - | 0 |
| 16.0L | $2.25 |
| 1/7 | 17/07/2026 | 60 | HCP 3 | $20,680.00 | Down Royal | 2615m | Good | Colin Keane | 61kg | 2:47.59 | - | 1 |
| 3.5L | $4.00 |
| 5/13 | 18/05/2026 | 24 | HCP 3 | $20,680.00 | Roscommon | 2414m | GY | W J Lee | 59kg | 2:42.94 | - | 13 |
| 12.3L | $5.00 |
| 4/8 | 24/04/2026 | 14 | HCP 3 | $25,850.00 | Cork | 2414m | GY | W M Lordan | 55.5kg | 2:43.60 | - | 1 |
| 2.0L | $12.00 |
| 3/6 | 10/04/2026 | 19 | HCP 3 | $20,680.00 | Dundalk | 2112m | Neutral | W J Lee | 61kg | 2:23.78 | - | 5 |
| 2.8L | $29.00 |
| 8/10 | 22/03/2026 | 107 | MDN F 3 | $34,460.00 | Naas | 1609m | Soft | G F Carroll | 58.5kg | 1:52.37 | - | 10 |
| 12.8L | $151.00 |
| 11/14 | 05/12/2025 | 46 | MDN 2 | $28,490.00 | Dundalk | 1609m | Neutral | Robbie Colgan | 58kg | 1:39.11 | - | 11 |
| 20.3L | $151.00 |
| 9/11 | 20/10/2025 | - | MDN F 2 | $43,360.00 | Gowran Park | 1709m | Heavy | Colin Keane | 57.5kg | 1:56.86 | - | 5 |
| 24.3L | $17.00 |
Jockey: John Shinnick
Weight: 66kgs
Stats
Comments
Raced two times to date. At long odds at debut, finished sixth of 11 starters at Listowel on September 20 over 3218m, 25 len behind Danny Power carrying 66kg at $34. Last start finished fifth of 8 runners at Bellewstown on September 30 over 2514m, 28 len behind Solness with 58.5kg at $34. Tested in this line-up.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 30/09/2026 | 10 | MDN 3U | $20,680.00 | Bellewstown | 2514m | SH | Luke Mcateer | 58.5kg | 2:51.27 | - | 9 |
| 28.8L | $34.00 |
| 6/11 | 20/09/2026 | - | HDLE 3 | $25,850.00 | Listowel | 3218m | Good | John Shinnick | 66kg | 3:48.10 | - | 0 |
| 25.8L | $34.00 |