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  1. irishracing.com
  2. Race Cards
  3. Wed, 31st Dec, 2025
  4. Punchestown
  5. 1.35
Going - Yielding, Yielding to Soft in places (Hurdle); Yielding to Soft, Soft in places (Chase). Overcast
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Formscan By Michael Graham - SARATOGA is a fascinating jumping debutant for Padraig Roche. The son of Camelot was decent on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and, given that he won a handicap over an extended 1m6f on testing ground at Listowel, he could have plenty to offer in this discipline. Mino Des Mottes looks an obvious contender on Irish debut for Willie Mullins. He was a handy winner on the Flat in July in his native France and is sure to be well schooled for his jumping debut. He typifies the sort of recruit the champion trainer does so well with. Wackestone has improved on each of his three runs over hurdles and is likely to be in the thick of the action.

1
1519
Blue Moon Boy (IRE) b g 11-0

Gustav Klimt (IRE)-Timeless Dream(Oasis Dream)

(65) (G Matte)

2
792
Direct Approach (IRE) b g 11-0

No Nay Never (USA)-Asteya(Tiger Hill)

(102) (Kieron Gammell)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Direct Approach (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Saratoga (IRE)2
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Saratoga (IRE) 3rd (1/1Fav 9-8) W M Lordan 6.38L in front of Direct Approach (IRE) 9th (50/1 9-8) G M Ryan (18 ran)
sp
23rd Aug 2025 Curragh(1m 2f , Flat Maiden, Good (Straight Course); Good, Good to Firm in places (Round): changed to Good, Good to Yielding in places (Straight) & Good (Round) after Race 5) Saratoga (IRE) 2nd (5/2 9-8) W M Lordan 6.78L in front of Direct Approach (IRE) 7th (25/1 9-3) P A Harnett (10 ran)
sp
Stone Rulya (IRE)1
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Direct Approach (IRE) 9th (50/1 9-8) G M Ryan 5.50L in front of Stone Rulya (IRE) 11th (80/1 9-1) Nicola Burns (18 ran)
sp
3
0-00
Folk Warrior (IRE) ch g 11-0

Shaman (IRE)-Grand Ole Opry(Helmet)

(57) (Albert Conneally & Louise Conneally)

4
2364
Immediate Effect (GB) b g 11-0

Study Of Man (IRE)-Alinstante(Archipenko)

(67) (Lyreen Syndicate)

5
p0
John Dixen (IRE) b g 11-0

Highland Reel (IRE)-Open Book(Mark Of Esteem)

(18) (T Moran)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years John Dixen (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Wackestone (IRE)1
13th Dec 2025 Fairyhouse(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft, soft to heavy in places) Wackestone (IRE) 2nd (2/1 11-0) J W Kennedy 73.25L in front of John Dixen (IRE) 11th (300/1 10-11) T Power Roche (12 ran)
sp
6
9574
Minella Boss (IRE) b g 11-0

Golden Horn (GB)-World Class(Galileo)

hd2(24) (Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Minella Boss (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Wackestone (IRE)2
16th Nov 2025 Navan(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Heavy) Wackestone (IRE) 3rd (2/1 11-0) J W Kennedy 14.75L in front of Minella Boss (IRE) 7th (20/1 11-0) P T Enright (12 ran)
sp
26th Apr 2025 Navan(1m 2f 20yds, Flat Maiden, Soft) Wackestone (IRE) 3rd (10/1 9-8) C D Hayes 11.28L in front of Minella Boss (IRE) 9th (33/1 9-8) J A Heffernan (20 ran)
sp
7
Mino Des Mottes (FR) b g 11-0

It's Gino (GER)-Ulyssa Des Mottes(Nononito)

(Gigginstown House Stud)

8
3577
Padre Bay (GB) b g 11-0

Teofilo (IRE)-Anna Sophia(Sea The Stars)

ts2(5) (Mrs H O'Toole)

9
3155
Saratoga (IRE) gr g 11-0

Camelot (GB)-Dialafara(Anabaa)

(74) (Mr John P McManus)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Saratoga (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Direct Approach (IRE)2
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Saratoga (IRE) 3rd (1/1Fav 9-8) W M Lordan 6.38L in front of Direct Approach (IRE) 9th (50/1 9-8) G M Ryan (18 ran)
sp
23rd Aug 2025 Curragh(1m 2f , Flat Maiden, Good (Straight Course); Good, Good to Firm in places (Round): changed to Good, Good to Yielding in places (Straight) & Good (Round) after Race 5) Saratoga (IRE) 2nd (5/2 9-8) W M Lordan 6.78L in front of Direct Approach (IRE) 7th (25/1 9-3) P A Harnett (10 ran)
sp
Stone Rulya (IRE)1
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Saratoga (IRE) 3rd (1/1Fav 9-8) W M Lordan 11.88L in front of Stone Rulya (IRE) 11th (80/1 9-1) Nicola Burns (18 ran)
sp
10
6008
Stone Rulya (IRE) b g 11-0

Australia (GB)-Champagne Time(Oasis Dream)

(75) (Mrs Christina Hughes)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Stone Rulya (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Saratoga (IRE)1
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Saratoga (IRE) 3rd (1/1Fav 9-8) W M Lordan 11.88L in front of Stone Rulya (IRE) 11th (80/1 9-1) Nicola Burns (18 ran)
sp
Direct Approach (IRE)1
6th Sep 2025 Navan(1m 2f 10yds, Flat Maiden, Good) Direct Approach (IRE) 9th (50/1 9-8) G M Ryan 5.50L in front of Stone Rulya (IRE) 11th (80/1 9-1) Nicola Burns (18 ran)
sp
11
3432
Wackestone (IRE) ch g 11-0

Australia (GB)-Coral Mist(Bahamian Bounty)

cp2(18) (Bective Stud)

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Wackestone (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Minella Boss (IRE)2
16th Nov 2025 Navan(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Heavy) Wackestone (IRE) 3rd (2/1 11-0) J W Kennedy 14.75L in front of Minella Boss (IRE) 7th (20/1 11-0) P T Enright (12 ran)
sp
26th Apr 2025 Navan(1m 2f 20yds, Flat Maiden, Soft) Wackestone (IRE) 3rd (10/1 9-8) C D Hayes 11.28L in front of Minella Boss (IRE) 9th (33/1 9-8) J A Heffernan (20 ran)
sp
John Dixen (IRE)1
13th Dec 2025 Fairyhouse(2m , Maiden Hurdle, Soft, soft to heavy in places) Wackestone (IRE) 2nd (2/1 11-0) J W Kennedy 73.25L in front of John Dixen (IRE) 11th (300/1 10-11) T Power Roche (12 ran)
sp
12
4525
Louie's Folly (GB) ch f 10-7

Nathaniel (IRE)-Souila(Speightstown)

(89) (Arkleton Syndicate)

13
0988
Real Petite (GER) b f 10-7

Amaron (GB)-Riviere Diamant(Oratorio)

(78) (Mrs Rita Byrne)
Rated 90

First Time - Over Hurdles Blue Moon Boy, Direct Approach, Immediate Effect, Louie's Folly, Saratoga, Stone Rulya, Mino Des Mottes» Full list of First Time Gear

Probable SP 2/1 Wackestone, 9/4 Mino Des Mottes, 5/1 Saratoga, 6/1 Immediate Effect, 10/1 Direct Approach, 16/1 Blue Moon Boy, Minella Boss, 33/1 Padre Bay, 50/1 Louie's Folly, Stone Rulya, Folk Warrior, 100/1 Real Petite, 150/1 John Dixen.

Previous Years
2024 Sainte Lucie 3 10-7 P Townend 8/11Fav (W P Mullins)
2023 Storm Heart 3 11-0 P Townend 2/5Fav (W P Mullins)
2022 Sir Allen 3 10-7 C M Quirke 7/2 (Andrew Slattery)
2021 Pied Piper 3 11-2 J W Kennedy 16/5 (Gordon Elliott)
2020 Riviere D'etel 3 10-9 J W Kennedy 8/15Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2019 Gealach 3 11-0 D N Russell 9/2 (Gordon Elliott)
2018 Gardens Of Babylon 3 11-0 M P Walsh 7/1 (Joseph Patrick O'Brien)
2017 Veneer Of Charm 3 11-0 D N Russell 10/3 (Gordon Elliott)
2016 Dakota Moirette 3 11-0 J W Kennedy 7/4Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2015 Jazz Ranger 3 10-7 J M Moore 16/1 (P A Fahy)
2014 Chatham House Rule 3 11-0 D J Condon 12/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2013 Adriana Des Mottes 3 10-7 R Walsh 8/11Fav (W P Mullins)
2012 Hartside 3 11-0 D N Russell 5/2 (Noel Meade)
2011 Shadow Catcher 3 11-0 P Carberry 7/4Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2010 Unaccompanied 3 10-9 P Townend 4/5Fav (D K Weld)
2009 Pittoni 3 10-11 B C Byrnes 5/1 (C Byrnes)
2008 Mourad 3 11-0 R Walsh 5/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2007 C'est Ca 3 10-9 Mr P W Mullins 4/1 (W P Mullins)
2006 Deutschland 3 11-0 R Walsh 11/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2005 Mister Hight 3 11-0 R Walsh 4/6Fav (W P Mullins)
2004 Grangehill Dancer 3 10-4 A J Donoghue 9/4 (P J Rothwell)
2003 Colmcille 3 10-11 K Hadnett 33/1 (M G Holden)

Symbols Explained

WS Wind Surgery ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bo2 Blinkers one cowl e2 Ear Plugs p2 Pacifier pc2 Pacifier with cowls ps2 Pacifier one cowl sr2 Shadow Roll co2 Cheekpiece one side sb2 Sheepskin Browband cc2 Cornell Collar xb2 Crossed Nose Band cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run

The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Trainer/Jockey In Form last 21 days

Trainer/Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
Gordon Elliott/J W Kennedy
3
29
10

W P Mullins/B Hayes
2
5
40

Oliver McKiernan/P T Enright
1
11
9

For Trainer/Jockeys in this race

Trainers In Form last 21 days

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Gordon Elliott
24
228
10

W P Mullins
13
69
18

Denis Gerard Hogan
3
52
5

P J Rothwell
2
47
4

Oliver McKiernan
1
12
8

Andrew Kinirons
1
5
20

For Trainers in this race

Jockeys In Form last 21 days

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
M P Walsh
3
10
30

P T Enright
3
27
11

T Power Roche
3
22
13

J W Kennedy
3
34
8

B Hayes
3
11
27

D King
2
25
8

D J Gilligan
1
20
5

J C Gainford
1
13
7

For Jockeys in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Punchestown

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
W P Mullins
597
2526
24

Gordon Elliott
234
1726
14

Thomas Mullins
34
438
8

P J Rothwell
26
607
4

Oliver McKiernan
19
391
5

Denis Gerard Hogan
15
195
8

Padraig Roche
8
133
6

Eoin Doyle
4
114
4

J A Nash
1
85
1

Thomas Cleary
0
20
0

Andrew Kinirons
0
7
0

For Trainers in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Punchestown

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
M P Walsh
109
938
12

J W Kennedy
74
469
16

D E Mullins
53
594
9

B Hayes
26
349
7

P T Enright
26
538
5

S F O'Keeffe
17
308
6

D J Gilligan
8
113
7

T Power Roche
8
45
18

Gavin Brouder
6
97
6

D King
4
73
5

J C Gainford
3
34
9

D Robinson
3
63
5

P J Cody
0
6
0

For Jockeys in this race

Course Form for Punchestown

Horse
Wins
Runs
Real Petite (GER)
0
1
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