Punchestown Race 1 - Ladbrokes Maiden Hurdle
NOEMIE DE LA VIS (6) sets the standard dropping from a Cheltenham Grade 1 after a narrow 2nd at Fairyhouse over 4023m, and gets Townend back aboard. PORCUPINE BANK (4) brings race-fit form after a 3rd at Tramore over this trip, and looks the main danger. OUT OF ACES (3) has prior 3rd/4th-placing credentials and was 4th at Cork over 3483m last season, which reads OK for this.
Jockey: Peter Smithers
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Back in trip after two unplaced runs. Last start 14th of 25 at Fairyhouse over 4023m on 4 Apr, beaten 123.7L on soft with 65kg at $301 behind Midnight Jet. Prior run 15th of 21 at Naas over 3118m on 22 Feb, beaten 91.35L on heavy at $81. Needs to lift but can improve with added experience.
Last Starts 40 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/25 | 04/04/2026 | - | 4yo+ | $15,000.00 | Fairyhouse | 4023m | SOFT | Peter Smithers | 65kg | - | - | 0 |
| 123.7L | $301.00 |
| 15/21 | 22/02/2026 | - | 4UP MDN HURDLE | $12,000.00 | Naas | 3118m | HEAVY | Peter Smithers | 70kg | - | - | 0 |
| 91.35L | $81.00 |
Jockey: Mr E P Cloke
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old gelding trained by P Nolan, with Mr E P Cloke up, second-up after a debut at Cork over 3282m on 5 Apr. Last start was well beaten on soft ground at $29, carrying 73kg. Back 64m in trip and retains the same weight. Can improve with added experience.
Last Starts 39 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99/15 | 05/04/2026 | - | 4yo | $12,000.00 | Cork | 3282m | SOFT | R Deegan | 73kg | - | - | 0 |
| 999L | $29.00 |
Jockey: J J Slevin
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up this prep after 57 days. Last start 12th of 19 at Down Royal over 3515m on 17 Mar, beaten 72.55L on good going with 67.5kg at $13. Prior run 4th of 15 at Cork over 3483m on 12 Oct, beaten 9.25L on good with 70kg at $4.20. Carries 73kg now; can improve with fitness and a clean jump.
Last Starts 58 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/19 | 17/03/2026 | - | 4UP MDN HURDLE | $12,000.00 | Down Royal | 3515m | GOOD | R Deegan | 67.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 72.55L | $13.00 |
| 4/15 | 12/10/2025 | - | 3Y HURDLE | $11,002.00 | Cork | 3483m | GOOD | J J Slevin | 70kg | - | - | 0 |
| 9.25L | $4.20 |
Jockey: Sam Ewing
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 24-day break after a debut 3rd at Tramore over 3218m on 19 Apr, beaten 13.3L on soft at $9. Carries 73kg today after 68kg there, with Sam Ewing up for Gordon Elliott. Four-year-old gelding drawn 0 and proven at the trip with that placing. Can improve.
Last Starts 25 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/15 | 19/04/2026 | - | 4UP MDN HURDLE | $12,000.00 | Tramore | 3218m | SOFT | Jack Kennedy | 68kg | - | - | 0 |
| 13.3L | $9.00 |
Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe
Weight: 73kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old gelding trained by A Kinirons in Kildare; French-bred by Storm The Stars out of Bye Bye Yesterday. Carries 73kg with Sean O'Keeffe booked. Limited exposed details, so market and parade may guide. Can feature with the right run.
Jockey: Paul Townend
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Back from a 61-day break after finishing 16th of 20 in the Grade 1 at Cheltenham over 3382m on 13 Mar, beaten 40.3L at $101 with 67.5kg. Prior run was a close 2nd at Fairyhouse over 4023m on 15 Jan, beaten 0.5L on soft with 66.5kg as a $1.57 favourite. Also placed on debut at Compiegne over 3200m on 7 Apr 2025, beaten 3.5L on soft at $26. Up 2.5kg from Cheltenham but reunites with Paul Townend; can feature with a cleaner run.
Last Starts 62 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/20 | 13/03/2026 | - | Grade 1 | $147,555.00 | Cheltenham | 3382m | GOOD | Daniel King | 67.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 40.3L | $101.00 |
| 2/12 | 15/01/2026 | - | 4UP MARES MDN HDL | $9,999.00 | Fairyhouse | 4023m | SOFT | Paul Townend | 66.5kg | - | - | 0 |
| 0.5L | $1.57 |
| 2/9 | 07/04/2025 | - | 3Y CL2 FILLIES HURDLE | $54,999.00 | Compiegne | 3200m | SOFT | Bertrand Lestrade | 66kg | 04:02.64 | - | 10 |
| 3.5L | $26.00 |
Jockey: Aidan Kelly
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old filly trained by P Roche, by Walk In The Park out of No Kidding. Carries 70kg with Aidan Kelly up. Irish-trained from Kildare and draws barrier 0. Can improve.
Jockey: P J O'Hanlon
Weight: 70kgs
Stats
Comments
Four-year-old filly trained by G Elliott, with P J O'Hanlon up and 70kg allotted. Irish-bred by Poet's Word out of Vics Star. No recent race details are provided. Can feature with the right run.