18:35 Punchestown (IRE) 27 Apr 2023
Barberstown Castle Novice Chase
Grade 1 | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner €75,000 - 4 ran
led briefly, soon tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd and slight mistake 3rd, slight mistake 6th, improved to dispute 2 out, soon led, clear before last, not extended
tracked leader briefly, soon led and ran freely early, joined 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no impression in 2nd before last, kept on one pace
held up in rear, 3rd after 3 out, ridden and no impression on leaders before next, kept on one pace
settled 3rd, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, slight mistake 3 out, soon dropped to rear and ridden, no impression after
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €1.32 |
| CSF | €2.06 (2, 1) |
| Win | €1.25 (2) |
| Exacta | €1.70 (2, 1) |
| Trifecta | €10.80 (2, 1, 3) |
Expert Analysis
Just the 4 runners, 3 of them from the Willie Mullins yard, but any race containing El Fabiolo right now could not be described as disappointing, and he delivered another superb performance to win easily. The effort was backed up by an apparently good time (3.2s faster than recorded by the smart Dinoblue in a handicap earlier on the card), and it was certainly well-run, courtesy of Dysart Dynamo, as reflected in a 98% finishing speed.
EL FABIOLO (c166+ here, 169+ previously) has a prodigious amount of ability, which could well take him to the very top of the chasing game next season, providing a residual clumsiness at a few of his fences is ironed out. He led briefly going to the first then settled in second going well, making mistakes at the second/third and not fluent at the 6th, leading after the second-last and storming clear to have plenty in hand. He should rate into the 170s sooner rather than later, with stable-companion and reigning Champion Chaser Energumene (rated 176) very much having to look to his laurels.
DYSART DYNAMO (c151 here, 154 previously) got round this time and is mostly a bold and exciting front-running jumper, soon up by a few lengths, making a mistake at the 7th, headed after 2 out then soon seeing El Fabiolo disappearing into the distance. He looks like falling short of top-class now, but he can match it with very good horses for a long way when conditions are like these.
INDIANA JONES (c145 here and previously) was last and soon niggled early but stuck to his task for a creditable effort and has prospects in handicaps next season.
SAINT ROI (c140 here, 153 previously) disappointed somewhat, making a few minor errors with things happening plenty quickly enough for him and dropping from third to last after 3 out.
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Good - Yielding | 6 | Blue Lord | 7 | 11 12 | - | F-31113 | 44 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Paul Townend | 2/ 1 | 4:05.80 | |
| 2021 | Yielding | 4 | Energumene | 7 | 11 12 | - | 311-111 | 82 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Paul Townend | 2/ 5 | 4:12.20 | |
| 2019 | Good to Firm | 7 | Chacun Pour Soi | 7 | 11 10 | - | 1253-1 | 53 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Robbie Power | 3/ 1 | 4:07.00 | |
| 2018 | Yielding - Soft | 6 | Footpad | 6 | 11 10 | - | 43-1111 | 44 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 2/ 5 | 4:14.20 | |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Great Field | 6 | 11 10 | - | 11P-111 | 33 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Jody McGarvey | 9/ 10 | 4:06.50 | |
| 2016 | Yielding | 5 | Douvan | 6 | 11 10 | - | 111111 | 19 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 2/ 9 | 4:17.90 | |
| 2015 | Yielding | 5 | Un De Sceaux | 7 | 11 10 | - | 11-F111 | 51 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 1/ 10 | 4:04.50 | |
| 2014 | Yielding | 8 | God's Own | 6 | 11 10 | - | U10242 | 68 days | T R George | B J Geraghty | 25/ 1 | 4:11.80 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 9 | Arvika Ligeonniere | 8 | 11 10 | - | 1-111FP | 44 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 2 | 4:31.80 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 7 | Lucky William | 8 | 11 10 | - | 1244U1 | 18 days | T Cooper (173 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 1 | 4:35.00 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 5 | Captain Chris | 7 | 11 12 | - | 222211 | 51 days | P Hobbs & J White | Richard Johnson | 4/ 6 | 4:10.10 | |
| 2010 | Good | 10 | Captain Cee Bee | 9 | 11 12 | - | 1P-1F18 | 37 days | E Harty (19 miles) | A P McCoy | 4/ 1 | 4:17.20 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 7 | Barker | 8 | 11 12 | - | PF0112 | 18 days | W P Mullins (47 miles) | D J Casey | 11/ 2 | 4:25.70 | |
| 2008 | Good | 7 | Big Zeb | 7 | 11 12 | - | 2F1F22 | 32 days | Colm Murphy (82 miles) | B J Geraghty | 4/ 1 | 4:09.10 | |
| 2007 | Good | 7 | Another Promise | 1 | 8 | 11 12 | - | 1F2115 | 44 days | F Murphy | Graham Lee | 5/ 1 | 4:06.00 |
| 2006 | Good | 6 | Accordion Etoile | 7 | 11 12 | - | 6213F6 | 19 days | P Nolan (82 miles) | J L Cullen | 9/ 4 | 4:02.50 | |
| 2005 | Soft | 8 | War Of Attrition | 6 | 11 12 | - | 72-1172 | 19 days | M F Morris (98 miles) | Conor O'Dwyer | 3/ 1 | 4:23.30 | |
| 2004 | Good | 6 | Say Again | 8 | 11 12 | - | 121033 | 18 days | P Nolan (82 miles) | J L Cullen | 6/ 1 | 4:04.40 | |
| 2003 | Good | 7 | Le Roi Miguel | 5 | 11 5 | - | 12-22F1 | 26 days | P Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 8/ 11 | 4:10.10 | |
| 2002 | Good | 6 | Moscow Flyer | 8 | 11 12 | - | F111F1 | 44 days | J Harrington (19 miles) | B J Geraghty | 2/ 5 | 3:59.50 |
