15:00 Leopardstown (IRE) 27 Dec 2025
Paddy Power Chase
Extended Handicap Chase | 0-150 | Listed | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €112,000 - 28 ran
soon prominent, led 3rd, joined before 2 out, ridden entering straight, jumped right last, drifted slightly right run-in, led closing stages, kept on well
mid-division, closer 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, stayed on into 2nd run-in, not reach winner
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, disputed before 2 out, ridden before last, jumped left last, headed run-in, held in 3rd close home
settled behind leaders, closer 4 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression on leaders last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division early, tracked leaders after 9th, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, no impression on leaders before last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pecked slightly 1st, soon mid-division, ridden after 2 out, no impression before last, kept on run-in
mid-division, progress and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders before last, kept on same pace
held up, progress into 4th 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
mid-division, mistake 2 out and ridden, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, progress into 7th 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ran around slightly approaching 8th and mistake, ridden and no impression 2 out, some progress on outer before last, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and some progress 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
towards rear, progress and slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, closer in 5th before 5 out, ridden 2 out, no extra before last
towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out
led briefly, headed 1st, tracked leaders, 6th halfway, mid-division before 5 out where slight mistake, ridden and no extra before 2 out
towards rear for most, mistake 5 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out
mid-division, slightly hampered on inner 4 out, no extra next
towards rear for most, never a factor
mistake 1st, always towards rear, mistake 5 out, soon no impression
mid-division, slight mistake 5th, ridden and no extra before 2 out
tracked leaders early, mid-division and bad mistake 6th, soon towards rear, no impression after
soon tracked leaders, mistake 9th, fell 3 out
went right and slowly away start, always towards rear, fell 7 out
led 1st, headed 3rd and tracked leaders, 5th halfway, weakened 6 out, pulled up before next
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €1,047.98 (7, 11) |
| Tricast | €27,906.90 (7, 11, 20) |
| Win | €88.60 (7) |
| Place | €16.90 (7), €5.20 (11), €8.80 (20), €11.80 (9) |
| Exacta | €982.70 (7, 11) |
Expert Analysis
This valuable handicap chase attracted its usual big field with 28 runners in all, though few got into the race and a prominent position was an advantage, as the oldest runner in the field came out on top.
FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU has been a staple in races like this in recent seasons and finally won one to round off an excellent day for his jockey. Ridden from the front, he got into a good rhythm and stayed on strongly late, racing on what may have been the favoured outer of the track. He is not an obvious one to follow up.
SEARCH FOR GLORY was suited by a step up in trip after a good second at Navan and would have preferred slower ground. All five of wins have come right-handed, though he has not raced that way around in nearly a year.
KINTURK KALANISI travelled best here and looked the likely winner heading to the last. He is hard to win with having one once in 12 runs.
NOW IS THE HOUR ran his best race of the season and will be suited by further and slower ground.
O’MOORE PARK has done most of his racing over shorter trips than this but looked like a marathon distance would suit. He was outpaced after three out but kept on well.
BUACHAILLBOCHT shaped better than his sixth-place finish and is one to bear in mind for races like this. He did best of those that raced around the inner and got slightly hampered three out. It could be significant that another in the same colours was a non-runner to allow him into the field while he also gambled on. Softer ground would suit better.
CAPTAIN CODY was disadvantaged by the start and would prefer a longer trip.
BALLYSAX HANK was trying this trip for the first time and looked a non-stayer. He made a good move into the race and travelled strongly into the straight before not getting home.
SHANBALLY KID was having his first run since the Punchestown Festival and shaped like the run was needed. He was making a move into the race when making a mistake two out and should improve on this with the various Nationals likely his spring target.
MONBEG PARK only managed fourteenth but he was a couple of lengths down jumping the last around the inner over a trip that stretches him. This run is better than it looks and the two good handicap chases at this track over shorter he ran in last season appeal as obvious targets, especially now he has dropped in the weights a little.
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT failed to match his Limerick run but raced largely around the inner which may have been unfavoured.
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED was runner-up in the race last season but ran no sort of race in first-time cheekpieces.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good - Yielding | 27 | Perceval Legallois | 7 | 11 4 | 142 | 5F-2864 | 40 days | G P Cromwell (70 miles) | Mark Walsh | 17/ 2 | 6:12.10 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 27 | Meetingofthewaters | 6 | 10 7 | 130 | 376-431 | 31 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Danny Mullins | 6/ 1 | 6:35.40 | |
| 2022 | Yielding | 28 | Real Steel | 9 | 10 8 | 131 | 7P4-442 | 58 days | E McNamara (129 miles) | Conor McNamara | 33/ 1 | 6:24.10 | |
| 2021 | Good - Yielding | 28 | School Boy Hours | 8 | 10 8 | 133 | 24243-6 | 241 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Sean Flanagan | 12/ 1 | 6:20.10 | |
| 2020 | Yielding | 22 | Castlebawn West | 7 | 11 10 | 149 | 6514U-3 | 43 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Paul Townend | 13/ 2 | 6:41.40 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 27 | Roaring Bull | 6 | 10 9 | 135 | 1636-30 | 33 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Jack Kennedy | 16/ 1 | 6:24.50 | |
| 2018 | Good | 27 | Auvergnat | 8 | 10 5 | 131 | 141-300 | 18 days | E Bolger (129 miles) | Donal McInerney | 28/ 1 | 6:07.90 | |
| 2017 | Yielding | 28 | Anibale Fly | 7 | 11 8 | 148 | P142-59 | 25 days | A J Martin (70 miles) | Donagh Meyler | 14/ 1 | 6:17.80 | |
| 2016 | Yielding | 28 | Noble Endeavor | 7 | 11 3 | 143 | 12F-P54 | 30 days | G Elliott (70 miles) | Davy Russell | 6/ 1 | 6:07.10 | |
| 2015 | Heavy | 28 | Minella Foru | 6 | 10 8 | 134 | 3565-12 | 29 days | E P Harty (38 miles) | B J Geraghty | 7/ 1 | 6:40.90 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 26 | Living Next Door | 8 | 10 9 | 130 | F0U5-70 | 34 days | A J Martin (70 miles) | Denis O'Regan | 20/ 1 | 6:45.90 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 28 | Rockyaboya | 9 | 10 3 | 124 | 4-U2044 | 33 days | W P Mullins (56 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 1 | 6:22.10 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 28 | Colbert Station | 8 | 10 11 | 132 | 7413-52 | 19 days | T M Walsh (38 miles) | A P McCoy | 5/ 1 | 6:33.10 | |
| 2011 | Good - Yielding | 26 | Cross Appeal | 5 | 10 4 | 125 | 8-93133 | 30 days | N Meade (70 miles) | Paul Carberry | 7/ 1 | 6:09.00 | |
| 2010 | Heavy | 28 | Majestic Concorde | 7 | 11 9 | 144 | 01-4300 | 59 days | D K Weld (38 miles) | R P McNamara | 33/ 1 | 6:25.40 | |
| 2009 | Yielding | 28 | Oscar Time | 8 | 10 3 | 124 | 214F-73 | 30 days | M M Lynch (57 miles) | Robbie Power | 10/ 1 | 6:27.70 | |
| 2008 | Soft | 28 | Wheresben | 9 | 11 0 | 131 | 116-784 | 21 days | S Fahey (38 miles) | Mr J A Fahey | 33/ 1 | 6:24.00 | |
| 2007 | Good to Soft | 30 | Newbay Prop | 8 | 9 10 | 117 | F63P-5P | 26 days | A J Martin (70 miles) | R Geraghty | 14/ 1 | 6:18.90 | |
| 2006 | Heavy | 28 | Cane Brake | 7 | 11 10 | 142 | P58P-21 | 31 days | T J Taaffe (38 miles) | A B Joyce | 14/ 1 | 6:40.20 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 27 | Black Apalachi | 6 | 10 4 | 118 | 187-413 | 37 days | P J Rothwell (25 miles) | J L Cullen | 25/ 1 | 6:18.60 |
