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 Thursday Highlights
The top-staying hurdlers take centre stage in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle over three miles on day 3 of the Punchestown Festival, this first Grade 1 on Thursday's card carries a purse of 275,000 euros.
It's the turn of the young chasers competing for a 125,000 euro purse in the other Grade 1 on Thursday, the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over two miles.
We have also previewed the two high-value handicaps, starting with the Frontline Security Handicap Chase over two miles. This Grade B event carries a purse of 50,000 euros.
The Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle over three miles is a Grade B event carrying a 50,000 euro purse.
Hopefully, we can pinpoint a few likely winners for you using the past twenty-year trends. Good luck with your bets!
- Frontline Security Handicap Chase
- Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle
- Barberstown Castle Novice Chase
- Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle
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Frontline Security Handicap Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis
A decent Grade B race run at Punchestown racecourse on the third day of the Punchestown Festival, this handicap chase is run over the minimum trip of two miles in which eleven fences are to be faced, the race is open to runners who are aged four or older.
Over the last 20 renewals, it was the W P Mullins trained Dinoblue ridden by Mark Walsh who set the fastest winning time in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase, the runner won the race in a time of 4:02.90 which was set when winning the race in 2023. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer W P Mullins and jockey R Walsh with Twinlight who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 4:32.60 in the 2013 renewal.
These are the top three quickest-run Frontline Security Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- 2023 - Dinoblue (4:02.90)
- 2025 - Petit Tonnerre (4:04.60)
- 2007 - Wills Wilde (4:05.20)
How competitive is the Frontline Security 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 115%. The race in 2005 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 157%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Frontline Security Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 130% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £130 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 Frontline Security Handicap Chase next time out, then you would have backed a total of 4 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +9.25.
Frontline Security Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Frontline Security Handicap Chase:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Petit Tonnerre (FR) 7yo 10-7 16/1 | Richie McLernon Jonjo & A J O'Neill (GB) |
| 2024 | Pinkerton (IRE) 8yo 10-6 15/2 | Sam Ewing Noel Meade (IRE) |
| 2023 | Dinoblue (FR) 6yo 11-9 11/4F | Mark Walsh W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | Magic Daze (IRE) 6yo 11-4 3/1 | Robbie Power Henry De Bromhead (IRE) |
| 2021 | Sully DOc AA (FR) 7yo 10-9 6/1 | Simon Torrens (3lbs) Anthony Honeyball (GB) |
Leading Trainers in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase
- W P Mullins - 4 wins and 6 places from 26 runners (+3.75)
- P A Fahy - 2 wins and 1 place from 5 runners (+16.00)
- Henry De Bromhead - 1 win and 4 places from 30 runners (-26.00)
The leading trainer in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 4 times. Those 4 winners came from Irish Invader (2008), Twinlight (2013), Cadmium (2018) & Dinoblue (2023). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase is P A Fahy (2 wins). There are two trainers who have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase, Paul Nolan has sent a total of 12 runners to the race without recording any wins whilst A L T Moore has sent out 12 without a winner.
Leading Jockeys in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase
- Mark Walsh - 3 wins and 1 place from 9 rides (+11.75)
- Danny Mullins - 1 win and 1 place from 6 rides (+7.00)
- Conor Maxwell - 1 win and 0 places from 2 rides (+15.00)
The leading jockey in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals is Mark Walsh who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Jacksonslady (2015), Dont Touch It (2017) & Dinoblue (2023).
Frontline Security Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,1,PU,11,1,4,F,(1,7),2,3,4,3,2,5,3,1,3,F,1,PU,3
- 20 / 20 (67%) - Achieved a TS of 82+ (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (74%) - Fewer than 6 placings (Hcps)
- 20 / 20 (79%) - Fewer than 3 wins (Hcps)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Not on GD/GF/STD (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Won within last 8 starts
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Fewer than 18 races (Hcps)
- 20 / 20 (83%) - No bigger than 20/1 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (83%) - Achieved an RPR of 75+ (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (84%) - No bigger than 25/1
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Achieved a TS of 98+ (Last 5)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Had 2 - 9 placings (Chase)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - Is not GB/GER/USA bred
- 20 / 20 (87%) - Not in ENG/DEU/ITA/WAL (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - In a field of 4 - 18 (LTO)
- 18 / 20 (50%) - Within the first 7 of the market
Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis
A Grade B handicap run on the third day of the Punchestown Festival is the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, a race which usually attracts a large field for the three-mile trip in which a total of fourteen hurdles which the runners will face, the race is open to runners age four or older.
Over the last 20 renewals, it was the W P Mullins trained Kerb Appeal ridden by D J Casey who set the fastest winning time in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, the runner won the race in a time of 5:35.60 which was set when winning the race in 2011. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer E J O'Grady and jockey Barry Geraghty with Acapulco who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 6:43.50 in the 2013 renewal.
These are the top three quickest-run Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle over the last 20 renewals:
- 2011 - Kerb Appeal (5:35.60)
- 2007 - Sonnyanjoe (5:45.20)
- 2006 - Roadmaker (5:47.90)
How competitive is the Conway Piling Handicap 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 136%. The race in 2005 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 171%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, the over-round has been 149% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £149 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 Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle next time out, then you would have backed a total of 3 winners. Backing all 18 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -0.75.
Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jeriko Du Reponet (FR) 6yo 11-9 13/2F | James Bowen Nicky Henderson (GB) |
| 2024 | Maxxum (IRE) 7yo 11-4 28/1 | Carl Millar (7lbs) Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 2023 | Kilbeg King (IRE) 8yo 10-10 12/1 | Aidan Coleman Anthony Honeyball (GB) |
| 2022 | A Great View (IRE) 11yo 10-9 10/1 | Mark Walsh Denis W Cullen (IRE) |
| 2021 | Capodanno (FR) 5yo 11-1 11/2F | Jody McGarvey W P Mullins (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle
- W P Mullins - 4 wins and 8 places from 57 runners (-9.50)
- Nicky Henderson - 2 wins and 1 place from 7 runners (+15.50)
- Denis W Cullen - 2 wins and 0 places from 5 runners (+14.00)
The leading trainer in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 4 times. Those 4 winners came from Kerb Appeal (2011), Avant Tout (2015), My Sister Sarah (2019) & Capodanno (2021). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle are Nicky Henderson (2 wins) & Denis W Cullen (2 wins). There are multiple trainers who have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, Noel Meade (0-23), Henry De Bromhead (0-16), Mrs John Harrington (0-15), Paul Nolan (0-11) & M F Morris (0-11) have all failed to produce a single winner despite sending multiple runners to the race.
Leading Jockeys in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle
- Mark Walsh - 3 wins and 0 places from 15 rides (+25.00)
- Danny Mullins - 1 win and 1 place from 13 rides (+8.00)
- Paul Townend - 1 win and 2 places from 11 rides (-6.00)
The leading jockey in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Mark Walsh who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Off The Charts (2014), A Great View (2018) & A Great View (2022). There is one jockey who has not had the best of times in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, Brian Hayes has sent a total of 10 rides to the race without recording any wins.
Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,1,20,3,4,20,18,6,PU,1,15,3,2,(1,2),5,1,1,5,PU,12,(1,5)
- 20 / 20 (75%) - Within the first 17 of the market
- 20 / 20 (76%) - No bigger than 28/1
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Ran over 2m2½f - 3m (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Fewer than 4 placings (Season)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Carried 146 - 166lbs (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Ran over 1m2f - 2m4½f (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 28/1 (Career Place)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - Beaten no more -38l (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Off a break of 6 - 108 days
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Highest Run is not LST/Cl3-4
- 19 / 20 (72%) - Placed within last 3 starts
- 19 / 20 (81%) - Won by at least ¾ (Last Win)
- 18 / 20 (74%) - No bigger than 22/1 (Debut)
- 18 / 20 (77%) - No bigger than 12/1 (Career Win)
- 16 / 20 (83%) - Carried no more than 158lbs
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Preview, Trends & Analysis
One of two Grade 1 races on the third day of the festival is the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase which was previously sponsored by Ryanair, a race that is open to novice chasers who are aged five or older and they will have to cope with a total of eleven fences over this two-mile trip.
When looking over the last 20 renewals, a time of 3:59.20 was set by El Fabiolo in 2023, 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 2012 when Lucky William won in a time of 4:35.00, booked to ride was Barry Geraghty on this Thomas Cooper trained runner.
These are the top three quickest-run Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- 2023 - El Fabiolo (3:59.20)
- 2006 - Accordion Etoile (4:02.50)
- 2015 - Un De Sceaux (4:04.50)
How competitive is the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2011 when the race had an over-round of 105%. The race in 2017 was a race which was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 120%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, the over-round has been 113% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £113 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 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase next time out, then you would have backed a total of 11 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +21.11.
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Majborough (FR) 5yo 11-12 4/11F | Mark Walsh W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2024 | Il Etait Temps (FR) 6yo 11-12 7/2 | Danny Mullins W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2023 | El Fabiolo (FR) 6yo 11-12 1/4F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | Blue Lord (FR) 7yo 11-12 2/1F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 | Energumene (FR) 7yo 11-12 2/5F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase
- W P Mullins - 12 wins and 2 places from 33 runners (-0.87)
- M F Morris - 1 win and 0 places from 7 runners (-3.00)
- Philip Hobbs - 1 win and 1 place from 3 runners (-1.33)
The leading trainer in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 12 times. Those 12 winners came from Barker (2009), Arvika Ligeonniere (2013), Un De Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Great Field (2017), Footpad (2018), Chacun Pour Soi (2019), Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022), El Fabiolo (2023), Il Etait Temps (2024) & Majborough (2025). There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase, Henry De Bromhead has sent a total of 12 runners to the race without recording any wins.
Leading Jockeys in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase
- Paul Townend - 3 wins and 1 place from 9 rides (-3.35)
- Mark Walsh - 1 win and 0 places from 6 rides (-4.64)
- Danny Mullins - 1 win and 0 places from 3 rides (+1.50)
The leading jockey in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022) & El Fabiolo (2023).
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,2,2,UR,3,2,F,1,3,1,6,1,1,1,1,2,1,1,1,2,1
- 20 / 20 (72%) - Achieved a TS of 122+ (Last 3)
- 20 / 20 (73%) - Ran in 1 - 7 races (1 Year)
- 20 / 20 (77%) - Achieved an RPR of 145+ (Last 3)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Fewer than 8 races (Season)
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Off a break of 18 - 81 days
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Break of 18 - 164 days (Last Place)
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Highest Placed is not G3/Cl3
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Not on GD/FM (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 6/1 (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Not in a G3/Cl2 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Ran over 1m4f - 2m4½f (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Within the first 6 of the market
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Not in a Cl4-5 (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - No bigger than 25/1
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Fewer than 6 placings (Season)
Champion Stayers Hurdle Preview, Trends & Analysis
The Champion Stayers Hurdle is a Grade 1 race that is currently run on the third day of the Punchestown Festival, the runners face a three-mile trip in which they will have to contend with a total of fourteen hurdles on their way to becoming the champion stayer!
Over the last 20 renewals, it was the Thomas Mullins trained Asian Maze ridden by R Walsh who set the fastest winning time in the Champion Stayers Hurdle, the runner won the race in a time of 5:44.20 which was set when winning the race in 2006. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer W P Mullins and jockey R Walsh with Quevega who set the slowest winning time, the race-winning time was 6:30.20 in the 2013 renewal.
These are the top three quickest-run Champion Stayers Hurdle over the last 20 renewals:
- 2006 - Asian Maze (5:44.20)
- 2011 - Quevega (5:45.60)
- 2007 - Refinement (5:50.70)
How competitive is the Champion Stayers Hurdle market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2013 when the race had an over-round of 77%. The race in 2006 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 Champion Stayers Hurdle, the over-round has been 118% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £118 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 Champion Stayers Hurdle next time out, then you would have backed a total of 8 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -3.59.
Champion Stayers Hurdle Past Winners
Here are the past five winners of the Champion Stayers Hurdle:
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Teahupoo (FR) 8yo 11-10 5/4F | Sam Ewing Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 2024 | Teahupoo (FR) 7yo 11-10 5/6F | Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 2023 | Klassical Dream (FR) 9yo 11-10 3/1F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2022 | Klassical Dream (FR) 8yo 11-10 11/10F | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 | Klassical Dream (FR) 7yo 11-12 5/1 | Mr P W Mullins W P Mullins (IRE) |
Leading Trainers in the Champion Stayers Hurdle
- W P Mullins - 9 wins and 14 places from 55 runners (-24.32)
- Gordon Elliott - 2 wins and 2 places from 18 runners (-13.92)
- Mrs John Harrington - 2 wins and 2 places from 9 runners (+15.50)
The leading trainer in the Champion Stayers Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 9 times. Those 9 winners came from Fiveforthree (2009), Quevega (2010), Quevega (2011), Quevega (2012), Quevega (2013), Faugheen (2018), Klassical Dream (2021), Klassical Dream (2022) & Klassical Dream (2023). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Champion Stayers Hurdle are Gordon Elliott (2 wins), Mrs John Harrington (2 wins) & Harry Fry (2 wins).
Leading Jockeys in the Champion Stayers Hurdle
- Paul Townend - 3 wins and 4 places from 13 rides (-3.40)
- Mark Walsh - 2 wins and 1 place from 8 rides (+12.50)
- Mr P W Mullins - 1 win and 2 places from 7 rides (-1.00)
The leading jockey in the Champion Stayers Hurdle over the last 20 renewals is Paul Townend who has won the race 3 times. Those 3 winners came from Quevega (2010), Klassical Dream (2022) & Klassical Dream (2023). The only other jockey to have recorded multiple wins in the Champion Stayers Hurdle is Mark Walsh (2 wins).
Champion Stayers Hurdle Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,7,1,PU,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,2,2,3,PU,1,(1,4),1,1
- 20 / 20 (64%) - Achieved a TS of 89+ (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (73%) - Achieved a TS of 122+ (Last 5)
- 20 / 20 (73%) - Not in a G3/LST/Cl4 (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (79%) - Within the first 8 of the market
- 20 / 20 (80%) - Won by at least 1l (Last Win)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Had 3 - 12 wins (Hurdle)
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Highest Won is not G3/LST/Cl4
- 20 / 20 (82%) - No bigger than 25/1
- 20 / 20 (86%) - No bigger than 25/1 (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (87%) - No more than 1 fall (Career)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - No bigger than 20/1 (Career Win)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Won within last 7 starts
- 19 / 20 (85%) - Achieved an RPR of 138+ (Class)
- 19 / 20 (85%) - Achieved an RPR of 124+ (LTO)
- 19 / 20 (87%) - Placed within last 3 starts
Article Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to creating and maintaining the Punchestown Festival Thursday 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
