11:55 Punchestown

Thursday 13 November 2025

All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:1815:48

Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase (0-100)

Off time: 11:54 | Winning time: 6m 41.0s

James The Brave³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Michael Kenneally⁽⁷⁾| T: Padraig Butler| OR: 97

4/1

Modest maiden hurdler stepped up on reappearance when making a winning chase debut at Killarney (23.4f, good to soft) 39 days ago, responding well having tracked a sound pace. Should remain competitive off 6 lb higher.

Form: 6845-01

Lovely Reaction⁴⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Simon Torrens| T: T Mullins| OR: 97

18/1

Strong in the betting when given a considerate introduction to chasing at Clonmel in December 2023. Again shaped well finishing strongly when third of 15 in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f) last June. Off 16 months prior to this second chase start but one to be interested in if supported.

Form: 613/3P3-

Western Model³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Eoin Staples⁽⁷⁾| T: P Nolan| OR: 95| CD

11/2

Course winner over hurdles and in fine heart over fences of late, creditable second of 12 in handicap chase (9/2) at Fairyhouse (24.5f, good) 33 days ago. That form looks reliable and he's proven in softer conditions. One to consider.

Form: 68-2252

A Great Buzz²⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: R Tyner| OR: 93

10/3

Ran his best race over fences when third of 10 in handicap chase at Navan (24f, soft, 6/1) in January, the winner following up next time out. Still early days as a chaser and interesting to see Mark Walsh aboard on his return.

Form: 938/U03-

Ask Mike^p²⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Paddy Cody⁽⁷⁾| T: M Butler| OR: 93| D

18/1

Winning pointer. Matched previous Rules form with cheekpieces on for first time (retained) when fifth of 11 in hunter chase at Thurles (25.1f, good to soft) in March. Needs more on handicap debut.

Form: 2156/P5-

Mahler Appeal^p²⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Carl Millar⁽⁵⁾| T: G J Power| OR: 93| D

33/1

Winner in testing conditions at Wexford last year but ran poorly previous two outings, latest when thirteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (24.3f, good to soft). Off 6 months and remains to be seen if he can find some form back over fences.

Form: 26P7P0-

Small Town Hero^p,t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Stone-Walsh| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 93| D

3/1

Four consecutive wins since joining current yard, landing a hat-trick over hurdles before capitalising on lower chase mark winning comfortably at Downpatrick (23.7f, good to soft) last month. Still well-treated over fences and strong claims if handling softer conditions with tongue tie back on.

Form: 4-31111

Hay Baby^h²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 88| D

11/1

Point winner has attracted support this season but didn't improve as expected upped in trip when fifth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Limerick (21f, soft) 26 days ago. Makes chase debut and may yet have more to offer given Pointing background.

Form: 906-545

Plain Or Battered^p²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 87| D

11/1

Placed in Points and on a hunter chase on Rules debut in 2022 (fallen sole other start over fences). Inconsistent over hurdles last season (best effort came off a 7-month break) and remains to be seen if he's on a going day back chasing on reappearance.

Form: 153P40-

Fox Le Bel^b,t⁵⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Liz Doyle| OR: 83

25/1

Long-standing maiden but has made the frame on 10 of his last 11 completed starts over fences. included latest second of 12 in handicap chase at Tipperary (23.4f, good to soft, 8/1) in April last year. Has run creditably fresh and has place claims again with tongue strap refitted.

Form: 3U3432/

Spanish Maid⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: B P Kennedy⁽⁷⁾| T: F J Flood| OR: 80

125/1

Has shown little this year, latest with tongue strap on for first time (now removed), fourteenth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Navan (19f, good to soft, 40/1) 54 days ago. Plenty to prove back up in trip over fences.

Form: 86P-000

Eddies Pride^t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lee| OR: 74| D

50/1

Hasn't shown any form for 18 months. Hard to make a case for unless market hints at a revival.

Form: 9P5-700

Captain Kate^p⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Patrick M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: E Sheehy| OR: 72

28/1

Maiden hurdler failed to build on chase bow when sixth of 13 in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (25.8f, good to soft, 18/1) 83 days ago. Needs to improve.

Form: U-20666

Imbolc^p¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Harry Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: E Sheehy| OR: 72

22/1

Blinkered for first time when pulled up in handicap chase at Wexford (25.5f, good to soft, 20/1) 113 days ago, folding tamely between 5 out and 4 out (looked amiss). Questions to answer in a change of headgear.

Form: P9P8-6P

Non-Runners

Milanaway¹⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: D Hogan J: Philip Donovan

Ardaghs Choice²⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: E Sheehy J: Niall Moore

Seventy Eight Team⁴³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: P J Gilligan J: Danny Gilligan

Duffys Hodey²⁶⁶

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: P J Rothwell J: Tiernan Power Roche

Forecasts

Small Town Hero (3/1), A Great Buzz (10/3), Duffys Hodey (10/3), James The Brave (4/1), Western Model (11/2), Plain Or Battered (11/1), Hay Baby (11/1), Seventy Eight Team (14/1), Lovely Reaction (18/1), Ask Mike (18/1), Imbolc (22/1), Fox Le Bel (25/1), Milanaway (25/1), Captain Kate (28/1), Mahler Appeal (33/1), Ardaghs Choice (33/1), Eddies Pride (50/1), Spanish Maid (125/1)

SMALL TOWN HERO is thriving and may be able to land the 5-timer (still 7 lb lower over fences) if handling softer conditions. Duffys Hodey was progressive over hurdles last season and may prove the main danger back over fences, while Milanaway has conditions in her favour and could show more on her second chase start. The market should offer plenty of clues regarding the trio of J.P. McManus runners, with Hay Baby another to note on her chasing bow.

Previous Winners

2024

General Hubble

Weight: 11-3 |Age: 6

J: Carl Millar | T: G Elliott

6/5

Prize Money

1st: €6,000.002nd: €2,000.003rd: €999.004th: €500.005th: €300.006th: €200.00