Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase
 QuinnBet
Grade 1, Punchestown 16:50
€125,000 guaranteed
5yo plus
3m 120y    
Tuesday 29th April 2025

Free Racing Tips

1 Champ Kiely 22/1
2 Ballyburn 11/8F
3 Stellar Story 14/1
8 ran NR: Slade Steel Distances: 6½l, 11l, 14l
Time: 6m 20.60s (slow by 15.60s)

On a day where Willie Mullins looked to dominate from all angles, it was the outsider of the Closutton quintet, Champ Kiely, who emerged from the wreckage to snatch a surprise victory in a chaotic race.

Eight went to post in the Grade 1 feature, five of them bearing the familiar pink and green, but before the race had truly taken shape, Mullins' hand was slashed in half. Lecky Watson, so impressive at Cheltenham, crashed out at the fifth and in the process unseated Impaire Et Passe, who had been travelling just behind. Ile Atlantique followed suit a few fences later, and suddenly the script was in tatters.

With chaos unfolding behind, Ballyburn—the 11/8 favourite seeking redemption after his Cheltenham misfire—looked to be taking control on the second circuit, gliding to the front with Paul Townend on the bridle.

But lurking just behind, eyes locked and travelling sweetly, was Danny Mullins aboard the 22/1 chance Champ Kiely, playing the waiting game with poise. As the field rounded the home bend, it became clear that Ballyburn’s authority was far from absolute.

Quickening past his stablemate with a sense of inevitability, Champ Kiely strode out strongly to win by a commanding six and a half lengths, leaving Ballyburn well-held and those who took the short odds scratching their heads.

“He was a different horse to Fairyhouse,” Mullins admitted afterwards. “Danny gave him a super ride—tracked Paul the whole way, asked when it mattered, and got his reward. With everything that happened—three fallers from our own yard—it was brilliant to see him come through it.”

As for the beaten favourite, there were no excuses, but perhaps a new direction.

“Ballyburn just didn’t jump well enough today,” Mullins reflected. “He’s a fantastic hurdler, and there could be a real opportunity in the staying division if we bring him back that way. It’s something we’ll give plenty of thought.”

On a day of drama, it was a case of class in chaos, as Champ Kiely found calm amidst the Closutton carnage to deliver a Grade 1 that, just a week ago, few would’ve seen coming.

BetGoodwin

Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 120y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Champ Kiely 9 11-10 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 22/1
2 6½ Ballyburn 7 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 11/8F
3 11 Stellar Story 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 14/1
4 14 Gorgeous Tom 7 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 14/1
5 hd Don't Rightly Know 10 11-3 Polly Gundry Harry Cobden 40/1
BD Impaire Et Passe 7 11-10 W P Mullins J J Slevin 11/4
FELL Lecky Watson 7 11-10 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 9/2
FELL Ile Atlantique 7 11-10 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 16/1
NR 7 Slade Steel 7 11-10 Henry De Bromhead NON RUNNER

BetGoodwin

Past Results:

Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP

2024 Spillane's Tower 6 11-10 John P McManus James Joseph Mangan Mark Walsh 5/2J

2023 Feronily 6 11-10 John P McManus Emmet Mullins Donagh Meyler 7/1

2022 Capodanno 6 11-10 John P McManus W P Mullins Mark Walsh 11/4

2021 Colreevy 8 11-05 Mrs N Flynn W P Mullins Danny Mullins 7/1

2020 Abandoned - Covid 19

2019 Delta Work 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott D N Russell 13/8F

2018 The Storyteller 7-11-10 Mrs P Sloan Gordon Elliott D N Russell 16/1

2017 Disko 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud N Meade B J Cooper 13/8

2016 Zabana 7-11-10 Chris Jones Andrew Lynch Davy Russell 7/2

2015 Valseur Lido 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 15/2

2014 Carlingford Lough 8-11-10 J P McManus John Kiely A P McCoy 7/2

2013 Mount Benbulben 8-11-10 Barry Connell Gordon Elliott Danny Mullins 14/1

2012 Sir Des Champs 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins Davy Russell 2/7 Fav

2011 Quito De La Roque 7-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Colm Murphy Davy Russell 7/2

2010 Kempes 7-11-10 J P McManus Willie Mullins A P McCoy 9/1

2009 Rare Bob 7-11-10 D A Syndicate Dessie Hughes Paddy Flood 7/1

2008 Air Force One 6-11-10 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann GB Noel Fehily 2/1

2007 Offshore Account 7-11-10 Brian Polly Charlie Swan Denis O’Regan 16/1

2006 Missed That 7-11-10 Violet O’Leary Willie Mullins David Casey 4/1

2005 Forget The Past 7-11-10 Sean Mulryan Michael O’Brien Timmy Murphy 7/4 Fav

2004 Lord Sam 8-11-08 Plain Peeps Victor Dartnall GB Jim Culloty 5/4 Fav

2003 Heart Midoltian 6-11-00 Mrs Seamus Neville Seamus Neville Davy Russell 16/1

2002 Native Endurance 6-10-09 Patrick J O’Donovan Paddy Mullins David Casey 11/2

*2001 Sackville 8-11-12 Seamus O’Farrell Frances Crowley David Casey 4/11 Fav

2000 Zourito 7-12-00 Wilson Dennison Arthur Moore Barry Cash 100/30

1999 Ferbet Junior 6-12-00 David Attwood Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 3/1

1998 Fiddlers Tune 8-11-05 Herb M Stanley Michael Cunningham A P McCoy 7/2

1997 Linton Rocks 8-11-08 Hon. Mrs Townshend Tim Thomson Jones GB Richard Dunwoody 7/4 Fav

1996 Shanagarry 7-12-00 Patrick Heffernan Patrick Heffernan Conor O’Dwyer 3/1

1995 Camitrov 5-11-03 Jim Lewis Simon Christian GB Richard Dunwoody 7/2

1994 Belvederian 7-12-00 Tony O’Reilly Mouse Morris Graham Bradley 8/11 Fav

1993 Force Seven 6-11-05 Sheila Moore Paddy Mullins Trevor Horgan 11/4 Fav

1992 Milford Quay 9-11-10 W A Jones Martin Pipe GB Peter Scudamore 15/8 Fav

* Run at Fairyhouse

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