Punchestown Festival Thursday Preview & Trends

2025 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 A L T Moore trained Junior Fontaine, ridden by Conor O'Dwyer, who set the fastest winning time in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase. The runner won the race in a time of 4:02.00, which was set when winning the race in 2004. 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:

• 2004 - Junior Fontaine (4:02.00)
• 2023 - Dinoblue (4:02.90)
• 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 129% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £129 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 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +8.25.

Frontline Security Handicap Chase Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Frontline Security Handicap Chase:

Leading Trainers in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase

• W P Mullins - 4 wins and 5 places from 25 runners (+4.75)
• P A Fahy - 2 wins and 1 place from 5 runners (+16.00)
• Henry De Bromhead - 1 win and 4 places from 25 runners (-21.00)

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 is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase, Paul Nolan has sent a total of 11 runners to the race without recording any wins.

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 5 rides (+8.00)
• 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): ,(4,13),1,PU,11,1,4,F,(1,7),2,3,4,3,2,5,3,1,3,F,1,PU

• 20 / 20 (68%) - Fewer than 5 placings (Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (71%) - Fewer than 14 races (Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Fewer than 3 wins (Hcps)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Not on GD/GF/FM/STD (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (80%) - Won within last 8 starts
• 20 / 20 (83%) - No bigger than 20/1 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - No bigger than 25/1
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Is not GB/GER/NZ/USA bred
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Not in ENG/DEU/ITA/NZL/WAL (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Ran in 2 - 23 races (Further)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Not in a G2/LST/Cl3 (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - In a field of 4 - 18 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Fewer than 6 races (Course)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Ran in 3 - 21 races (Chase)
• 19 / 20 (52%) - Within the first 7 of the market

Frontline Security Handicap Chase Trend Shortlist

• 15/15 Champagne Mahler (7/1)
  • Henry De Bromhead (25-1-5 -21.00 / -13.19)
  • Harry Cobden (1-0-0 -1.00 / -1.00)
• 15/15 Mirazur West (8/1)
  • W P Mullins (25-4-9 +4.75 / +0.46)
  • Jody McGarvey (1-0-0 -1.00 / -1.00)

Others: Lazer Wolf (14/15), A Law Of Her Own (14/15), Aspire Tower (14/15), Tullyhill (14/15), Aslukwoodhavit (13/15), The Folkes Tiara (13/15), Whats Up Darling (13/15), Spinning Web (13/15), An Peann Dearg (12/15), Captains Nephew (12/15), Gaelic Arc (12/15), Jasko Des Dames (12/15), Keep Running (12/15), Dont Go Yet (11/15), Dutch Schultz (11/15), Gabriels Getaway (11/15), Petit Tonnerre (11/15), Tuckmill (11/15), The Dasher Conway (9/15), Midnight It Is (9/15) and The Dara Man (8/15).

2025 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 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)
• 2004 - Hurry Bob (5:42.80)
• 2007 - Sonnyanjoe (5:45.20)

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 150% which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £150 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 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -1.75.

Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle:

Leading Trainers in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle

• W P Mullins - 4 wins and 9 places from 57 runners (-9.50)
• Denis W Cullen - 2 wins and 0 places from 5 runners (+14.00)
• Gordon Elliott - 1 win and 2 places from 18 runners (+11.00)

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). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle is Denis W Cullen (2 wins). Multiple trainers have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle, Noel Meade (0-25), Mrs John Harrington (0-16), Henry De Bromhead (0-14), 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 12 rides (+9.00)
• 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).

Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Trends

Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): ,3,1,20,3,4,20,18,6,PU,1,15,3,2,(1,2),5,1,1,5,PU,12

• 20 / 20 (76%) - Within the first 17 of the market
• 20 / 20 (78%) - No bigger than 28/1
• 20 / 20 (78%) - Fewer than 4 placings (Season)
• 20 / 20 (81%) - Ran over 2m2½f - 3m (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Carried 146 - 166lbs (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Beaten no more -38l (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Ran over 1m2f - 2m4½f (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - No bigger than 28/1 (Career Place)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Off a break of 6 - 108 days
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Highest Run is not LST/Cl3-4
• 19 / 20 (81%) - Won by at least ¾ (Last Win)
• 18 / 20 (71%) - Placed within last 3 starts
• 18 / 20 (74%) - No bigger than 22/1 (Debut)
• 18 / 20 (78%) - No bigger than 12/1 (Career Win)
• 17 / 20 (83%) - Carried no more than 158lbs

Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle Trend Shortlist

• 15/15 Chart Topper (12/1)
  • W P Mullins (57-4-13 -9.50 / -0.14)
  • Danny Mullins (12-1-2 +9.00 / +3.25)
• 15/15 One Big Bang (14/1)
  • James Owen (0-0-0 0.00 / 0.00)
  • Sean Bowen (1-0-0 -1.00 / -1.00)

Others: Beckett Rock (14/15), Jeriko Du Reponet (14/15), Park Of Kings (14/15), Doddiethegreat (13/15), Win Some Lose Some (13/15), Beat The Bat (13/15), Flicker Of Hope (13/15), Bill Joyce (13/15), Gabbys Cross (13/15), I Love My Baie (13/15), Pray Tell (13/15), Tag Man (13/15), Ballybow (13/15), Stoners Choice (13/15), Comfort Zone (13/15), Custom Taylor (12/15), CEst Ta Chance (12/15), Monbeg Park (12/15), The Friday Man (12/15), Karl Des Tourelles (11/15), Yeats Star (11/15), Beacon Edge (10/15), All For Rachel (10/15), OToole (9/15), Ambitious Fellow (9/15) and Building Bridges (8/15).

2025 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)
• 2004 - Say Again (4:04.40)

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 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +20.11.

Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase:

Leading Trainers in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase

• W P Mullins - 11 wins and 2 places from 32 runners (-1.23)
• Paul Nolan - 2 wins and 0 places from 2 runners (+8.25)
• M F Morris - 1 win and 0 places from 7 runners (-3.00)

The leading trainer in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over the last 20 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race 11 times. Those 11 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). The only other trainer to have recorded multiple wins in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase is Paul Nolan (2 wins). 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)
• Danny Mullins - 1 win and 0 places from 3 rides (+1.50)
• Jody McGarvey - 1 win and 0 places from 1 ride (+0.90)

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): ,BD,2,2,UR,3,2,F,1,3,1,6,1,1,1,1,2,1,1,1,2

• 20 / 20 (72%) - Ran in 1 - 7 races (1 Year)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Fewer than 8 races (Season)
• 20 / 20 (79%) - Off a break of 18 - 81 days
• 20 / 20 (83%) - Break of 18 - 164 days (Last Place)
• 20 / 20 (83%) - Achieved a TS of 111+ (Last 3)
• 20 / 20 (84%) - Highest Placed is not G3/Cl3
• 20 / 20 (85%) - Not on GD/FM (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Achieved an RPR of 139+ (Last 3)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Within the first 6 of the market
• 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 6/1 (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - Fewer than 6 placings (Season)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Not in a G3/Cl2 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Ran over 1m4f - 2m4½f (Debut)
• 20 / 20 (88%) - Not in a Cl4-5 (Last Win)
• 19 / 20 (76%) - No bigger than 10/1 (LTO)

Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Trend Shortlist

• 15/15 Majborough (2/5)
  • W P Mullins (32-11-13 -1.23 / -3.74)
  • Mark Walsh (5-0-0 -5.00 / -2.00)

Others: Brookie (14/15), Only By Night (13/15), Rubaud (13/15), Jeannot Lapin (12/15) and Jesse Evans (9/15).

2025 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!

For sponsorship purposes, the 2025 renewal of the Champion Stayers Hurdle will hold the title of 'Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle'.

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 Quevega from W P Mullins under the guidance of R Walsh, won in a time of 6:30.20, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Asian Maze, trained by Thomas Mullins and ridden by R Walsh set the quickest time of 5:44.20 in the 2006 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)
• 2004 - Rhinestone Cowboy (5:48.20)

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 20 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -4.59.

Champion Stayers Hurdle Past Winners

Here are the past five winners of the Champion Stayers Hurdle:

Leading Trainers in the Champion Stayers Hurdle

• W P Mullins - 9 wins and 13 places from 54 runners (-23.32)
• Mrs John Harrington - 2 wins and 1 place from 8 runners (+16.50)
• Jonjo O'Neill - 2 wins and 3 places from 7 runners (+13.50)

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 Mrs John Harrington (2 wins), Jonjo O'Neill (2 wins) & Harry Fry (2 wins).

Leading Jockeys in the Champion Stayers Hurdle

• Paul Townend - 3 wins and 3 places from 12 rides (-2.40)
• 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): ,2,7,1,PU,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,2,2,3,PU,1,(1,4),1

• 20 / 20 (62%) - 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 (80%) - Within the first 8 of the market
• 20 / 20 (81%) - Had 3 - 12 wins (Hurdle)
• 20 / 20 (81%) - No bigger than 25/1
• 20 / 20 (82%) - Highest Won is not G3/LST/Cl4
• 20 / 20 (86%) - Won by at least ¾ (Last Win)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - No more than 1 fall (Career)
• 20 / 20 (87%) - No bigger than 25/1 (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Achieved an RPR of 100+ (LTO)
• 20 / 20 (89%) - Won within last 7 starts
• 19 / 20 (83%) - Achieved an RPR of 138+ (Class)
• 19 / 20 (87%) - Placed within last 3 starts
• 18 / 20 (78%) - No bigger than 14/1 (Career Win)

Champion Stayers Hurdle Trend Shortlist

• 15/15 Hiddenvalley Lake (7/2)
  • Henry De Bromhead (6-0-0 -6.00 / -6.00)
  • Darragh O'Keeffe (2-0-0 -2.00 / -2.00)

Others: Teahupoo (14/15), Jetara (14/15), Rockys Diamond (12/15), Asterion Forlonge (12/15), Crambo (11/15), Franciscan Rock (11/15), Meet And Greet (11/15), Home By The Lee (10/15), Winter Fog (9/15) and Colonel Mustard (9/15).