2:25 Punchestown
The Ladbrokes 'Insure Your Acca On Football' Beginners Chase at Punchestown over 3m157y on good to yielding ground brings together eight novices, several with strong Flat or hurdle pedigrees now making the switch to fences. The KTB numbers highlight a competitive but open-looking affair where experience over the larger obstacles is at a premium and recent chasing efforts carry significant weight. Da Capo Glory stands out on the ratings with an RPR of 131 and a solid placed effort on his most recent start, while the likes of Quantum Quest, Game On and Fillyoureye bring useful hurdle form into the equation.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field the early pace is expected to be steady, though several runners have shown a preference for racing prominently or in mid-division. The race shape therefore looks likely to play into the hands of those with a touch of tactical speed and the ability to quicken off a slow gallop. The key question will be which horse can adapt most readily to the fences while conserving energy for a late surge in what could develop into a test of jumping accuracy and stamina.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Da Capo Glory0/100
- 2Quantum Quest0/100
- 3Game On0/100
- 4Fillyoureye0/100
- 5Mister Frostie0/100
- 6Vicar Street0/100
- 7Wendrock0/100
- 8Kainsbourg0/100
The contenders
Da Capo Glory KTB Fit 0/100
Da Capo Glory arrives with the strongest figures in the race, posting an RPR of 131 and a TS of 107. His recent form of 338U-2 shows a creditable second on his latest start over fences, suggesting he is learning his trade quickly. The nine-year-old is trained by Padraig Butler and ridden by Alan O'Sullivan who claims 7lb, a combination that KTB views positively in this sphere. He has shown he handles good to yielding ground and his placed efforts indicate he is effective at this sort of trip. Run style is expected to see him settle in mid-division before making a move, and with no headgear or wind operation noted he comes into the contest straightforwardly. Overall KTB rates him the one to beat on these terms.
Quantum Quest KTB Fit 0/100
Quantum Quest is a six-year-old from the Henry De Bromhead yard, which KTB always respects in novice chases. His hurdle form reads 11520- and while he lacks an official chase rating he clearly possesses ability on the figures he showed over timber. Mike O'Connor takes the ride and the trainer-jockey combination carries a solid strike rate. He has yet to be tested on good to yielding ground over fences but his Flat-bred profile suggests he should handle it, and he is expected to race prominently or handy. With no flags or additional equipment declared he lines up as a live contender who could improve for the switch to obstacles.
Game On KTB Fit 0/100
Game On, trained by Noel Meade and partnered by Ricky Doyle, brings an RPR of 122 and a recent run of 3/1P-4 into the race. KTB notes the yard and jockey combination as one that can be relied upon to have the horse ready, and the six-year-old has shown enough ability over hurdles to suggest he can make a chaser. His latest fourth suggests he is holding his form, though the TS of 37 indicates he may not be the quickest. Expected to race in mid-division, he should appreciate the step up in trip and the good to yielding ground looks suitable. No wind operation or headgear is declared and he remains an interesting each-way prospect on his chasing debut.
Fillyoureye KTB Fit 0/100
Fillyoureye represents the powerful W P Mullins stable and is ridden by Anna McGuinness who claims 7lb. His hurdle form of 231P0- shows flashes of ability, particularly the placed efforts, though he lacks a published chase rating. KTB views the trainer positively here and the six-year-old is expected to improve for the move to fences. Run style is likely to see him settle towards the rear before making progress, and the good to yielding ground should suit. With no additional equipment or operations noted he is one who could outrun his current profile if he takes to the bigger obstacles.
The rest of the field
Mister FrostieKTB Fit 0/100
Mister Frostie has an RPR of 105 and recent form of 35P-7P. Trained by C A McBratney and ridden by Gavin Brouder, he has shown some ability but looks modest on KTB assessment and needs to improve on his latest pulled-up effort.
Vicar StreetKTB Fit 0/100
Vicar Street is another from the W P Mullins yard with form of 4/12-. KTB notes the trainer positively but the seven-year-old has limited chasing experience and will need to step up on what he has shown so far.
WendrockKTB Fit 0/100
Wendrock, from the Gordon Elliott stable and ridden by James Smith who claims 5lb, has recent form of 745P0-. KTB regards him as modest and his pulled-up effort last time suggests he has questions to answer over fences.
KainsbourgKTB Fit 0/100
Kainsbourg is trained by Gordon Elliott with Kevin Sexton in the saddle and has form of 14124-. While he has shown some promise over hurdles, KTB views him as modest in this context and he will need to find improvement for the switch to chasing.
KTB verdict
Da Capo Glory is the KTB Selection. He brings the best figures in the field with an RPR of 131, a recent placed effort over fences and a trainer-jockey partnership that KTB views favourably. His proven ability at the trip on good to yielding ground and his settled mid-division run style should see him ideally placed to pounce when the race begins in earnest. Quantum Quest and Fillyoureye are the most obvious dangers, both bringing useful hurdle form and the benefit of top yards, while Game On cannot be entirely dismissed if he takes to fences.
KTB Selection Da Capo Glory
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 06:13 UTC, 6 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Da Capo Glory | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Quantum Quest | 3/1 | Bet365 |
| Game On | 25/1 | Midnite |
| Fillyoureye | 5/1 | BetTom |
| Mister Frostie | 150/1 | BetTom |
| Vicar Street | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Wendrock | 5/1 | Bet365 |
| Kainsbourg | 7/1 | Bet Victor |
This is the narrative read of the 2:25 Punchestown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Punchestown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the highest RPR in the race?
Da Capo Glory with an RPR of 131.
Who trains the selection Da Capo Glory?
Padraig Butler.
What is the expected pace shape of the race?
Steady pace with several horses likely to race prominently or in mid-division, posing a question of which can quicken off a slow gallop.
Which runners are from the W P Mullins yard?
Fillyoureye and Vicar Street.
What recent form does the selection bring into the contest?
338U-2, including a second on his latest start.
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