Distance: 2m 4f 55y | Going: Yielding | Runners: 6 | Race Conditions: Mares, 5yo+, weight-for-age chase | Course: Right-handed, undulating | Pace Forecast: Very weak

This Grade 2 mares’ chase honours the legendary Francis Flood and typically draws a select field of established graded chasers or progressive second-season types. The 2025 renewal sees a high-class line-up headed by a Cheltenham Festival winner and supported by several familiar names from the mares’ chasing division. The small field size and forecast weak early pace could make race position and tactical riding especially important.

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🏇 Leading Contenders

🟩 DINOBLUE (TFR 170)
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Mark Walsh
A very smart mare, Dinoblue comes into this off a dominant 8½-length victory in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where she was in command before the last. She had previously edged out Allegorie de Vassy in a listed event at Naas, and is clearly the standard-setter here. She travels strongly, stays this trip well, and has shown herself effective on yielding and heavy ground. A tongue-tie remains applied. Notably, this is her first run in 49 days, so it may be worth keeping an eye on the market for signs of readiness.

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🟨 ALLEGORIE DE VASSY (TFR 169)
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend
The most serious rival to the favourite, this tall mare has long shaped like a smart type. She was going well when falling at the last behind Dinoblue at Cheltenham and previously won a Grade 3 mares’ chase at Fairyhouse in wide-margin style. Likely to be ridden prominently in a race lacking pace, she could gain tactical advantage if allowed to dictate. Also off 49 days, so another where market strength would be a useful indicator. Townend’s strong Punchestown strike rate (46%) is a positive.

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⚠️ Main Danger

🟨 BRIDES HILL (TFR 162)
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell | Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Won this race by 21 lengths in 2024 and returned to form this season with a series of consistent runs, most notably a clear second behind Dinoblue at Cheltenham. She’s a reliable, game mare, and Cromwell’s runners typically go well here. However, with a tactical race likely, she might find herself at a positional disadvantage unless they go quicker than expected. Another off a 49-day break, so market interest will again be worth monitoring.

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🔍 Others to Note

🟦 SHECOULDBEANYTHING (TFR 158)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Sam Ewing
A triple winner earlier in the season, including at listed level, but she’s been below that form recently and was well beaten in the Irish Grand National last time. Her best form comes from strongly run races, and a crawl here might leave her struggling to lay down a challenge. Nevertheless, she’s fit and could place if others underperform.

⬜ BROOMFIELD BIJOU (TFR 151)
Trainer: J.P. Dempsey | Jockey: Donagh Meyler
Patchy record this season but did win a mares’ chase at Wexford in July. She was below par on her latest run and would need a big jump forward to get involved here.

⬜ MUST BE OBEYED (TFR 150)
Trainer: Thomas Gibney | Jockey: D.J. O’Keeffe
Fairly useful on her day and has placed at Punchestown before, but recent efforts haven’t been inspiring. May go forward early, but would be a surprise winner at this level.

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📈 Trainers With Previous Wins

• Gavin Cromwell – Won this in 2024 with Brides Hill, who returns to defend her title.
• Willie Mullins – Has won this race multiple times in the last decade, including with Elimay and Camelia De Cotte. Fields both market leaders.

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📋 Timeform Highlights & Trends

• Timeform Analyst Verdict: Dinoblue is very hard to oppose off her Cheltenham win. Allegorie de Vassy looks best placed to follow her home, while Shecouldbeanything may edge out Brides Hill for third.
• Smart Stat: Paul Townend has a 46% strike rate at Punchestown – a big plus for Allegorie.
• Tactical Note: “Very weak pace forecast” – those close to the lead, like Allegorie de Vassy, could be well positioned.

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🧭 Verdict

Dinoblue is hard to oppose and sets a high bar off a strong adjusted Timeform figure. Allegorie de Vassy could make the most of the expected tactical crawl and pose a real threat if allowed to dictate. Brides Hill, last year’s winner, is a reliable type but might need a stronger tempo to be seen at her best. No compelling outsider angles in a six-runner field, but Shecouldbeanything may prove best of the rest.