Channor Group Novice Hurdle |
|
|
| Grade 1, Punchestown 16:15 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo, 2m7f180y, Class 1  |
||
|
||
Twelve months on from coming up short at Punchestown, Jasmin De Vaux returns with unfinished business—and a Cheltenham Grade 1 in the bag. Victorious in a gruelling renewal of the Albert Bartlett, he now leads a four-strong Closutton contingent here, where class meets stamina over a sharper, more unforgiving three miles.
The Mullins monopoly continues:
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2025
🏆 Poniros
🏆 Kargese
🏆 Dinoblue
🏆 Jasmin De Vaux
The Closutton maestro equals his best-ever record at the Festival with his 10th win! A second victory for Jasmin De Vaux at the meeting too pic.twitter.com/GYkMdKfabw
Paul Townend was inch-perfect at Prestbury Park, guiding Jasmin De Vaux to a career-best. But as assistant trainer Patrick Mullins warned, the Punchestown test is a very different beast.
“Cheltenham suited him—big, galloping track, long straights,” he noted. “This will be tighter, quicker, and there’s a lot more jumping to be done. He disappointed here last year, so there are still questions. But he’s training well and we’re hopeful he can back it up.”
Joining him are three stablemates: Argento Boy, Luckinthecity, and the unexposed Jarrive De Mee, who could offer the each-way angle.
“Jarrive De Mee is a horse I’ve always liked,” said Mullins. “He’s a proper three-miler—point-to-point winner, by Authorized, and this ground will be right up his street. He’s fresh, well, and if it turns into a battle late on, don’t be surprised if he’s still there.”
Looking to crash the Mullins party is Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy, who arrives off the back of a polished display in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree—a Grade 1 scalp that demands respect.
Honesty is always the BEST policy!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 5, 2025
Honesty Policy pips them in the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle 🥇#ITVRacing | #GrandNational | @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/Zl8t4vqOBP
With eight declared, the race might lack numbers but not intrigue. Jasmin De Vaux seeks a Cheltenham-Punchestown double once again. This time, he brings momentum—and three stable shadows ready to pounce if he slips.
Channor Group Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m7f180y, Class 1
8 runners
Going: Yielding
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 -2P107 Argento Boy 6 11-10 W P Mullins Danny Mullins
2 2F11 Cardcounter 5 11-10 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing
3 132442 Fleur In The Park 6 11-10 Andrew Slattery Cian Quirke
4 22111 Honesty Policy 5 11-10 Gordon Elliott Mark Walsh
5 41-111 Jarrive De Mee 6 11-10 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins
6 8-1441 Jasmin De Vaux 6 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend
7 7-311F Luckinthecity 6 11-10 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe
8 1-3115 Familiar Dreams 6 11-3 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford
PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2024 Dancing City 7 11-10 Mrs J Donnelly W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/4F
2023 Gaelic Warrior 5 11-10 Mrs S Ricci W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/5F
2022 The Nice Guy 7 11-10 Malcolm C Denmark W P Mullins Paul Townend 15/8F
2021 Galopin Des Champs 5 11-11 Mrs Audrey Turley W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2019 Minella Indo 6-11-10 Barry Maloney H De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 5/1
2018 Next Destination 6-11-10 Malcolm C Denmark Willie Mullins Paul Townend 5/4F
2017 Champagne Classic 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Bryan Cooper 14/1
2016 Bellshill 6-11-10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2/1 Fav
2015 Killultagh Vic 6-11-10 Mrs R Boyd, Mrs M J Willie Mullins Paul Townend 8/1
Armstrong, J B Anderson
2014 Beat That 6-11-10 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson GB Barry Geraghty 11/8 Fav
2013 Morning Assembly 6-11-10 Clipper Logistics Ltd Pat Fahy Davy Condon 14/1
2012 Marasonnien 6-11-10 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Paul Townend 12/1
2011 Askanna 6-11-01 John Asple Colin Bowe Mr Barry O’Neill 33/1
2010 Rigour Back Bob 5-11-07 Gaticoma Syndicate Edward O’Grady Barry Geraghty 6/1
2009 The Midnight Club 8-11-06 C C R Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins Emmet Mullins 7/4Fav
2008 Got Attitude 5-11-05 David Reid Scott Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 16/1
