A fascinating renewal of this €75,000 Grade 1 sees some high-class novices stepping up to 3 miles again, many with scores to settle after Cheltenham and Aintree. The race has often gone to top yards, with Willie Mullins having trained three of the last ten winners, and Gordon Elliott landing two. Their representation again looks strong.

Going: Yielding
Pace Forecast: Even
Past Trends: Winners are typically classy novices who can stay 3m well; familiarity with Punchestown or Irish conditions has helped previously.

Strongest Contenders

Ballyburn (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 170p)

• Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: P. Townend
• A leading novice hurdler last season who made an excellent start over fences before disappointing in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, finishing fifth. That effort was compromised by failing to settle early and a significant mid-race error. Ballyburn has won at Punchestown before, should relish this trip, and remains with outstanding potential as a staying chaser.
• Pertinent Timeform Note: “Remains a potentially top-class staying chaser.”
• Key Trainer Trend: Willie Mullins trained winners of this race in 2021 (Colreevy) and 2022 (Capodanno).

Impaire Et Passe (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 168)

• Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: J. J. Slevin
• Very talented hurdler who has transferred his ability to chasing smoothly, winning the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree over 2m4f in tidy fashion. Yet to tackle 3 miles under Rules, but shaped like he would stay. Often travels strongly and handles yielding or softer conditions well.
• Pertinent Timeform Note: “Travels strongly; stays 21f; often best when fresh.”
• Connections won this race with Colreevy in 2021.

Lecky Watson (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 167)

• Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe
• Progressive and tough, winning three consecutive starts including the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham where he made all. That race suited a more tactical, speed-based effort, so today’s even gallop may ask a slightly different stamina question.
• Pertinent Timeform Note: “Lengthy gelding; stays 3m; improving fast over fences.”
• Trainer Trend: Mullins again, responsible for past winners.

---

Main Dangers

Stellar Story (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 164)

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Danny Gilligan
• Reliable and genuine staying type who ran second to Lecky Watson at Cheltenham, shaping as though he’d be better suited by a stronger gallop and even further. Yielding ground and this test should play to his strengths. Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last decade, most notably with Delta Work in 2019.

Gorgeous Tom (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 160)

• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead | Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe
• A likeable type who has progressed steadily this season. Fourth at Cheltenham behind Lecky Watson, gradually weakening late on. Could improve again and is one to note if the market speaks positively.

---

Interesting Outsiders

Ile Atlantique (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 163)

• Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: Mr. P. W. Mullins
• Consistent novice who was unlucky when unseating early in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Likely to adopt a forward position, and if getting an easy lead, could make a bold sight.
• Watch For: Market moves – has had just nine days since that unseat and might drift if not fully recovered.

Slade Steel (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 155+)

• Trainer: Henry de Bromhead | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
• Very smart novice hurdler but has not yet matched that level over fences. Step up to 3 miles might unlock improvement, but 134 days off suggests caution.
• Advice: Given the layoff, monitor for any significant market weakness.

Champ Kiely (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 161)

• Trainer: W. P. Mullins | Jockey: D. E. Mullins
• Smart chaser over shorter trips but his stamina for a true 3m test remains uncertain. Well held last time and would need a career-best.

Don’t Rightly Know (Timeform Adjusted Rating: 159)

• Trainer: Polly Gundry | Jockey: Harry Cobden
• A likeable mare who has jumped well in handicaps, but this is a major step up in class. Likely to set the pace early but will be vulnerable late on. Polly Gundry’s runners are profitable to follow in chases, but class is a serious concern here.

---

Final Thoughts

The race centres on whether Ballyburn can bounce back to his best. If settling better and avoiding mid-race errors, he has the latent class to dominate. Impaire Et Passe offers a stern challenge if staying the trip, while Lecky Watson brings strong form but faces a slightly different stamina test here.

Among the outsiders, Stellar Story appeals most as a rock-solid staying type who might reward each-way support, especially if Ballyburn underperforms again.

Punters should keep a close eye on the market for horses like Slade Steel and Ile Atlantique, whose readiness after recent issues or layoffs isn’t assured.