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This amateur riders’ hunter chase, run in memory of the Bishops Court Cup, is a highlight of the Punchestown Festival’s support card for the enthusiast community. With a field of 14 going to post and yielding ground expected, this 2m4f contest offers a competitive mix of seasoned point performers and progressive hunter types, where tactical speed and positioning are often more crucial than raw stamina.

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Leading Contenders

FOUNTAIN HOUSE (T: Ian John McCarthy | J: Mr E. Mahon)
Timeform Rating: 114
A prolific winner between the flags, Fountain House arrives off the back of six consecutive point-to-point victories and a smooth maiden hunter chase success at Thurles in March. That latest Rules win came over this sort of trip and he had Asphalt Cowboy well held that day. An even pace scenario should suit him well, and Timeform’s pace hint specifically flags him as being favoured by the likely race shape. The Ian McCarthy stable has had multiple runners in this race in recent years without quite landing it, but this looks their best chance yet.

ASPHALT COWBOY (T: Stephen G. Carey | J: Mr M. N. Sharpe)
Timeform Rating: 111 (Adj 112 with pace modifier)
Lightly raced but progressive, Asphalt Cowboy was second to Fountain House at Thurles and gained compensation when winning well at Downpatrick last time, despite the saddle slipping on the run-in. That performance suggests there’s still more in the locker. He’s an improving sort and has handled yielding ground before. If there’s a chink in the armour of the McCarthy duo, it could be he who exploits it.

EYES OFF ANNIE (T: Ian John McCarthy | J: Miss M. O’Sullivan)
Timeform Rating: 109p
A well-bred Presenting mare who made an impressive Rules debut at Cork, scoring with authority over mares in a maiden hunter. She’s unexposed and clearly going the right way, but steps up in class and faces geldings here. The Timeform pace hint suggests she may not be favoured by the even tempo, and she may need to improve again to turn over the boys. Still, her trainer-jockey combination is a potent one, and further progress is entirely plausible.

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Main Dangers & EW Considerations

COSMIC BLIZZARD (T: S. Curling | J: Miss T. Quail)
Timeform Rating: 107+
Back from a couple of wins between the flags and ran a creditable fourth behind Asphalt Cowboy in a Downpatrick hunter. He’s one of the few with positive recent form under Rules and should be in the mix if securing a soft lead or prominent position. Has a bit to find on ratings but is fit and in-form, which can count for plenty in this type of race.

GALE FORCE JET (T: S.T. Doyle | J: Mr J. L. Scallan)
Timeform Rating: 104+
A multiple point winner and sent off favourite when a well-beaten fifth in a Tramore hunter last time. That was a step too sharp, and he’s expected to be more effective granted a stronger stamina test, though this trip may still be on the sharp side. However, his trainer Sean Doyle won this race in 2024 with Private Ryan, and any support would be significant.

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Interesting Outsiders

THE BLIND PIPER (T: Edward Power | J: Mr J.W. Hendrick)
Timeform Rating: 104
Third in this very race last year off a long layoff, so clearly handles the demands of the Punchestown fences. Now a 12-year-old, but still capable when the mood strikes. He hasn’t run since February, so keep an eye on the market for signs of confidence.

SIXHANDSINMYPOCKET (T: Conor O’Dwyer | J: Mr B. O’Neill)
Timeform Rating: 107+
Hasn’t completed in recent starts but was a solid third in a Tramore hunter on debut and has fair hurdles form. Fit from a pointing campaign. Wouldn’t be the first to bounce back under the guidance of a strong amateur like Barry O’Neill.

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Trends and Insights

• Horses returning from long breaks (60+ days) often need a run; market signals are vital for The Blind Piper, Keenaghan Lass, and Squire Ohara.
• Sean Doyle (trainer of Gale Force Jet) has won this race before, and runners from this yard are worth close scrutiny.
• Front-running or prominent types are often best suited on yielding ground in this race – a plus for Fountain House, Cosmic Blizzard, and Asphalt Cowboy.

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Summary

The McCarthy yard holds a strong hand with both Fountain House, a proven performer with ideal tactical speed, and the lightly raced Eyes Off Annie, who has more to come but faces a deeper field this time. Asphalt Cowboy is very much the value angle, with a legitimate chance to reverse form with the likely favourite, especially with a cleaner trip.

For each-way players, Cosmic Blizzard and Gale Force Jet are fit and hold form that could sneak them into the placings, while The Blind Piper looks a live longshot based on course form.