Punchestown Race 5 - Matchbook 50/50 Series Mdn Hurdle
IT'S ONLY A GAME (6) won a jumpers flat race at this track a year ago before finishing fourth in a Grade 2. Last seen finishing fifteenth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Given a hood for his initial hurdle outing and sets the standard on form. WERNER (10) found success in Germany and is a half brother to a horse who managed seven hurdle victories. Bold bid expected. BOMBAY PAT (1) was only beaten 2.5L in a point-to-point during March. The first-placed horse won under rules since and second had already been given a start. Strong place claims. LEONARD VALLIS (8) scored a jumpers flat race on his third try before finishing fourth behind a smart horse. Makes hurdle debut.
Jockey: Danny Gilligan
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. At only start last campaign finished third of 11 runners at Ballycrystal P2p on March 22 over 4828m, on slow going 2.5 len behind Ferocimo carrying 57.5kg. Could pose a serious challenge.
Last Starts 231 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 | 22/03/2026 | - | P2P MDN 4 | $0.00 | Ballycrystal P2p | 4828m | Soft | S M O'rourke | 57.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 2.5L | $1.00 |
Jockey: P J O'Hanlon
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Five-year-old gelding (Vadamos - Jennifers Diary) making his debut. Might just need this run but watch the market.
Jockey: Ian Power
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. At only start last campaign finished second of 11 runners at Larkhill on December 14 over 3219m, a head behind Henriettaredheart with 75.5kg. Tougher class here fresh and not expected to threaten this line-up.
Last Starts 329 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/11 | 14/12/2025 | - | P2P | $0.00 | Larkhill P2p | 3219m | Good | Martin McIntyre | 75.5kg | 3:51.80 | - | 0 |
| 0.2L | $11.00 |
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Was when unwanted in the market at debut, ran last at Roscommon on September 28 over 3118m, 91 len behind Telegram Sam with 73kg at $81. Faces tough task.
Last Starts 41 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/13 | 28/09/2026 | - | MHDLE 4 | $20,680.00 | Roscommon | 3118m | GY | Jordan Gainford | 73kg | 3:51.10 | - | 0 |
| 91.5L | $81.00 |
Jockey: Peter Smithers
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Had two starts to date. At very long odds at debut, finished 14th of 15 starters at this track on October 14 over 3218m, 53 len behind Fiveandahalf with 73kg at $201. Last start finished 12th of 20 starters at Galway on October 26 over 3218m, 76 len behind Thinkitdontjinxit with 73kg at $251. Can improve further but others rate much better this time.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/20 | 26/10/2026 | 12 | MHDLE 4U | $25,850.00 | Galway | 3218m | SH | P T Smithers | 73kg | 4:15.10 | - | 0 |
| 76.8L | $251.00 |
| 14/15 | 14/10/2026 | - | MHDLE 4U | $25,850.00 | Punchestown | 3218m | Good | Eoin Staples | 73kg | 4:09.60 | - | 0 |
| 53.8L | $201.00 |
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after eight months. Finished off last preparation 15 of 21 starters at Cheltenham Champion Bumper March 11 over 3319m, 20 len behind The Mourne Rambler with 73kg at $19. First up last campaign 4 of 7 runners at Leopardstown in the G2 Future Stars (C&G) Inh Flat Race February 2 over 3218m, in the wet; 3.5 len behind Broadway Ted carrying 74.5kg at $3.80. Best form puts him right in this.
Last Starts 242 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/21 | 11/03/2026 | 37 | FLAT 46 | $145,200.00 | Cheltenham | 3319m | Good | J L Gleeson | 73kg | 3:47.94 | - | 0 |
| 20.0L | $19.00 |
| 4/7 | 02/02/2026 | 71 | G2 OPEN 46 | $183,950.00 | Leopardstown | 3218m | Heavy | J L Gleeson | 74.5kg | 4:12.80 | - | 0 |
| 3.5L | $3.75 |
| 1/6 | 23/11/2025 | 204 | FLAT 4U | $18,210.00 | Punchestown | 3419m | SH | J L Gleeson | 76kg | 4:26.50 | - | 0 |
| 3.5L | $2.38 |
| 2/20 | 03/05/2025 | - | FLAT 47 | $26,010.00 | Punchestown | 3218m | Y | Derek O'connor | 73.5kg | 3:53.70 | - | 0 |
| 6.0L | $6.00 |
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Jumped when unwanted in the market at debut, finished sixth of 13 starters at Wexford on October 25 over 3419m, on slow going 39 len behind Lirakali carrying 71.5kg at $101. Will be better for this run.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/13 | 25/10/2026 | - | MHDLE 4U | $25,850.00 | Wexford | 3419m | Soft | Jordan Gainford | 71.5kg | 4:23.40 | - | 0 |
| 39.3L | $101.00 |
Jockey: John Shinnick
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming after eight months. Finished off last preparation 4 of 12 starters at Fairyhouse April 6 over 3218m, 12 len behind Charismatic Kid with 71.5kg at $11. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.5 len Thurles February 5 over 3218m slow track defeating Thinkitdontjinxit with 76kg at $11. Expected to go close.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 06/04/2026 | 60 | FLAT 4U | $35,920.00 | Fairyhouse | 3218m | YS | D Allen | 71.5kg | 3:56.60 | - | 0 |
| 12.8L | $11.00 |
| 1/12 | 05/02/2026 | 80 | FLAT 4U | $19,320.00 | Thurles | 3218m | Soft | D Allen | 76kg | 4:25.70 | - | 0 |
| 1.5L | $11.00 |
| 10/10 | 17/11/2025 | 45 | FLAT 4U | $28,370.00 | Navan | 3218m | SH | D Allen | 73kg | 4:22.00 | - | 0 |
| 23.3L | $7.50 |
| 2/19 | 03/10/2025 | - | MHDLE 4 | $20,810.00 | Gowran Park | 3319m | Soft | John Shinnick | 71.5kg | 4:23.60 | - | 0 |
| 1.5L | $6.50 |
Jockey: Daniel King
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resumes off a 35 day letup. Last outing finished fourth in a small field at Fairyhouse on October 5 over 3218m, 14 len behind Myluckymaker carrying 75kg at $34. The run before finished sixth of 14 runners at Listowel on September 24 over 3218m, 25 len behind Tell The Boys carrying 74.5kg at $201. Not sure he is up to this.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/6 | 05/10/2026 | 11 | HDLE SELL MDN 45 | $35,580.00 | Fairyhouse | 3218m | Good | Daniel King | 75kg | 3:55.60 | - | 0 |
| 14.3L | $34.00 |
| 6/14 | 24/09/2026 | 59 | HDLE SELL MDN 45 | $34,460.00 | Listowel | 3218m | Good | Daniel King | 74.5kg | 4:04.70 | - | 0 |
| 25.8L | $201.00 |
| 12/13 | 27/07/2026 | 11 | FLAT 4 | $30,480.00 | Galway | 3319m | Good | J P Sampson | 71kg | 3:55.90 | - | 0 |
| 86.8L | $101.00 |
| 6/8 | 16/07/2026 | - | FLAT 4 | $18,960.00 | Killarney | 3419m | Good | Harry Swan | 74.5kg | 4:21.90 | - | 0 |
| 12.3L | $5.50 |
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Weight: 75.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Resuming from a lengthy break. Only had one start last when he won by 3.5 len Hoppegarten on July 20 2025 over 2800m defeating Walkover with 57kg at $5.60. Can return in winning form.
Last Starts 476 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 20/07/2025 | - | 3 | $17,889.00 | Hoppegarten | 2800m | Good | Thore Hammer-Hansen | 57kg | 1:59.23 | - | 3 |
| 3.5L | $5.60 |
Jockey: Liam Mckenna
Weight: 72kgs
Stats
Comments
Jumped at very big odds at debut, finished ninth of 12 starters at Down Royal on October 31 over 3419m, 67 len behind Skerry Hill carrying 71kg at $101. Better for the experience but may need more time.
Last Starts 8 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 | 31/10/2026 | - | MHDLE 4U | $25,850.00 | Down Royal | 3419m | Good | Liam Mckenna | 71kg | 3:59.20 | - | 0 |
| 67.3L | $101.00 |