Horse Racing stats man, Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic, he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion.
2026 Punchestown Festival Friday Highlights
Friday's highlight is the Paddy Power Punchestown Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 event over two miles worth 300,000 euros. Won in the past by top champions like Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Punjabi, Solwhit, Faugheen and the brilliant four-time winner Hurricane Fly between 2010 and 2013.
The second Grade 1 on Friday's card is the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over two miles four furlongs. This valuable Grade 1 event has also been won by Istabraq before going on to Champion Hurdle glory, and fairly recent winners include top stars Vautour and Nichols Canyon.
Also included in our Punchestown Festival trends preview for Friday is the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase, a 100,000 euro purse with Grade A status over two miles five furlongs.
Hopefully, we can highlight some winners and you find the trends analysis useful. Good Luck!
- Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase
- Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle
- Punchestown Champion Hurdle
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Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis
The EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase is a valuable race that features on the fourth day of the Punchestown Festival, this Grade A race will see the runner face a total of fifteen fences during their two miles and five-furlong trip in a race that is open to runners aged at least five.
When looking over the last 20 renewals, a time of 5:13.10 was set by Sea Music in 2025, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by Donagh Meyler. The slowest winning time was set in 2005 when Pay It Forward won in a time of 6:34.70, booked to ride was Robbie Power on this Mrs John Harrington trained runner.
These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- 2025 - Sea Music (5:13.10)
- 2024 - Hgranca De Thaix (5:21.10)
- 2015 - Blood Cotil (5:24.70)
How competitive is the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2006 when the race had an over-round of 111%. The race in 2008 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 146%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 128% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £128 which is bet.
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the last 20 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase next time out, then you would have backed a total of 2 winners. Backing all 17 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -12.82.
Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sea Music (IRE) 7yo 10-12 28/1 | Donagh Meyler Emmet Mullins (IRE) |
| 2024 | Hgranca De Thaix (FR) 7yo 10-8 16/1 | Michael O'Sullivan Barry Connell (IRE) |
| 2023 | Kilcruit (IRE) 8yo 11-12 11/4F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | El Barra (FR) 8yo 10-9 8/1 | Jack Foley (5lbs) W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 | Asterion Forlonge (FR) 7yo 11-10 11/4F | B J Cooper W P Mullins (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase
- W P Mullins - 10 wins and 6 places from 47 runners (+13.25)
- Mrs John Harrington - 5 wins and 2 places from 18 runners (+38.75)
- Emmet Mullins - 1 win and 0 places from 3 runners (+26.00)
The leading trainer in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 10 times. Those 10 winners came from Alexander Taipan (2007), Scotsirish (2008), Equus Maximus (2009), Blood Cotil (2015), Avant Tout (2016), Kemboy (2018), Real Steel (2019), Asterion Forlonge (2021), El Barra (2022) & Kilcruit (2023). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase is Mrs John Harrington (5 wins). There are multiple trainers who have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase, Henry De Bromhead (0-23), Noel Meade (0-19) & Gordon Elliott (0-11) have all failed to produce a single winner despite sending multiple runners to the race.
Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase
- Paul Townend - 5 wins and 1 place from 11 rides (+18.50)
- Mark Walsh - 1 win and 2 places from 14 rides (-1.00)
- Donagh Meyler - 1 win and 0 places from 6 rides (+23.00)
The leading jockey in the Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Blood Cotil (2015), Avant Tout (2016), Kemboy (2018), Real Steel (2019) & Kilcruit (2023).
Punchestown Listed Novice Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,5,3,1,9,1,PU,(1,2),F,(4,6),11,9,PU,1,1,1,1,3,1,(2,PU),2
- 20 / 20 (71%) - Ran in 9 - 22 races (Career)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Ran in 4 - 9 races (1 Year)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Fewer than 9 races (Hcps)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - No bigger than 20/1 (Career Place)
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Break of 11 - 188 days (Last Place)
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Fewer than 8 races (Season)
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Carried 149 - 166lbs (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (83%) - Carried 154 - 168lbs (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Achieved an RPR of 125+ (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Not in a LST/Cl4-5 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Beaten no more -25l (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (85%) - Highest Run is not G3/LST/Cl3
- 20 / 20 (85%) - Had 4 - 12 placings (Career)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Off a break of 11 - 81 days
- 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 28/1
Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis
The feature race on day four of the festival is the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race that is run over a trip of two miles in which nine hurdles will stand between the runners and being crowned champion, the race is open to runners who are aged four or older.
The runner which holds the record over the last 20 renewals, for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2013 renewal when Hurricane Fly from W P Mullins under the guidance of R Walsh, won in a time of 4:14.30, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Hurricane Fly, trained by W P Mullins and ridden by R Walsh set the quickest time of 3:49.60 in the 2011 renewal.
These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Champion Hurdle over the last 20 renewals:
- 2011 - Hurricane Fly (3:49.60)
- 2017 - Wicklow Brave (3:49.90)
- 2006 - Macs Joy (3:51.80)
How competitive is the Punchestown Champion Hurdle market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2012 when the race had an over-round of 108%. The race in 2010 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 125%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, the over-round has been 114% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £114 which is bet.
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the last 20 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle next time out, then you would have backed a total of 9 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +2.08.
Punchestown Champion Hurdle Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Champion Hurdle:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | State Man (FR) 8yo 11-12 9/4 | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2024 | State Man (FR) 7yo 11-12 2/7F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2023 | State Man (FR) 6yo 11-12 2/5F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | Honeysuckle (GB) 8yo 11-5 1/5F | Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead (IRE) |
| 2021 | Honeysuckle (GB) 7yo 11-7 4/7F | Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
- W P Mullins - 10 wins and 9 places from 40 runners (-10.11)
- Mrs John Harrington - 3 wins and 2 places from 8 runners (+5.55)
- Nicky Henderson - 2 wins and 3 places from 10 runners (-4.00)
The leading trainer in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 10 times. Those 10 winners came from Hurricane Fly (2010), Hurricane Fly (2011), Hurricane Fly (2012), Hurricane Fly (2013), Faugheen (2015), Vroum Vroum Mag (2016), Wicklow Brave (2017), State Man (2023), State Man (2024) & State Man (2025). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle are Mrs John Harrington (3 wins), Nicky Henderson (2 wins) & Henry De Bromhead (2 wins). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, Gordon Elliott has sent a total of 11 runners to the race without recording any wins.
Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
- Paul Townend - 4 wins and 3 places from 12 rides (-2.06)
- Rachael Blackmore - 2 wins and 0 places from 3 rides (-0.23)
- Mr P W Mullins - 1 win and 2 places from 5 rides (+8.00)
The leading jockey in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 4 times. Those 4 winners came from Hurricane Fly (2010), State Man (2023), State Man (2024) & State Man (2025). The only other jockey to have recorded multiple wins in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle is Rachael Blackmore (2 wins).
Punchestown Champion Hurdle Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,2,2,2,2,(1,3),6,1,1,1,1,1,1,7,F,(1,5),1,1,1,1,5
- 20 / 20 (70%) - No bigger than 20/1
- 20 / 20 (71%) - Beaten no more -14½l (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (72%) - Not in a G3/Cl2/Cl4 (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (74%) - Not on GS/GF/FM/STD (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (75%) - Not in a G2-3/Cl2 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (75%) - Highest Won is not G2/LST/Cl2/Cl4
- 20 / 20 (77%) - Achieved a TS of 97+ (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Had 5 - 19 wins (Career)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Had 8 - 24 placings (Career)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Achieved an RPR of 151+ (Last 3)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Ran in 9 - 31 races (Career)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Achieved an RPR of 146+ (Class)
- 20 / 20 (83%) - Placed within last 3 starts
- 20 / 20 (85%) - Ran in 5 - 21 races (Hurdle)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Ran in 2 - 12 races (Further)
Punchestown Champion Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis
The Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle is the second Grade 1 on the fourth day of the Punchestown Festival, it is run after the Champion Hurdle. The race is open to novice hurdlers who are aged four or older, it is run over a trip of two miles and four furlongs where there are twelve hurdles to jump on their way to being crowned the champion novice hurdler.
When looking over the last 20 renewals, a time of 4:48.80 was set by State Man in 2022, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by W P Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend. The slowest winning time was set in 2013 when Un Atout won in a time of 5:30.50, booked to ride was Davy Russell on this W P Mullins trained runner.
These are the top three quickest-run Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals:
- 2022 - State Man (4:48.80)
- 2014 - Vautour (4:49.10)
- 2019 - Reserve Tank (4:50.70)
How competitive is the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 109%. The race in 2019 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 124%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle, the over-round has been 117% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £117 which is bet.
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the last 20 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle next time out, then you would have backed a total of 6 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -3.23.
Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Final Demand (IRE) 6yo 11-12 7/4 | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2024 | Ballyburn (IRE) 6yo 11-12 1/5F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2023 | Impaire Et Passe (FR) 5yo 11-12 1/3F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | State Man (FR) 5yo 11-10 11/10F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 | Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) 5yo 11-12 1/2F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle
- W P Mullins - 11 wins and 7 places from 48 runners (-17.84)
- Gordon Elliott - 1 win and 1 place from 8 runners (+9.00)
- Noel Meade - 1 win and 1 place from 8 runners (-6.10)
The leading trainer in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 11 times. Those 11 winners came from Glencove Marina (2007), Mikael DHaguenet (2009), Un Atout (2013), Vautour (2014), Nichols Canyon (2015), Bacardys (2017), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), State Man (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024) & Final Demand (2025).
Leading Jockeys in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle
- Paul Townend - 5 wins and 1 place from 10 rides (-1.12)
- Mr P W Mullins - 1 win and 1 place from 6 rides (+5.00)
- Jack Kennedy - 1 win and 0 places from 4 rides (+13.00)
The leading jockey in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 5 times. Those 5 winners came from Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), State Man (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024) & Final Demand (2025).
Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,1,1,(1,F),3,1,1,6,5,1,1,1,1,2,(5,PU),6,1,1,1,1,F
- 20 / 20 (56%) - Highest Won is not G2/LST/Cl3/Cl5
- 20 / 20 (61%) - Break of 18 - 114 days (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (69%) - Break of 17 - 96 days (Last Place)
- 20 / 20 (70%) - No bigger than 16/1
- 20 / 20 (78%) - Achieved a TS of 111+ (Last 5)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Within the first 7 of the market
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Won within last 3 starts
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Off a break of 17 - 74 days
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Had 2 - 7 wins (Career)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Achieved an RPR of 126+ (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Had 1 - 5 wins (180 Days)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Carried 148 - 164lbs (LTO)
- 19 / 20 (76%) - No more than +1yrs (Vs Min Age)
- 19 / 20 (82%) - No older than a 6yo
- 18 / 20 (71%) - Achieved an RPR of 129+ (LTO)
Article Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to creating and maintaining this Punchestown Festival Friday Highlights are at hand, Andy and James. They both work on the Horse racing tips team team looking after the tipsters and managing the tips settlement, whilst also creating and managing all of the horse racing event previews for International racing.
James Banting
Tipster Competition Assistant
Andy Powell
Content Editor
