Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 11th January 2026

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Punchestown

Sky Bet Beginners Chase 12.20
Brucejack
I’m thinking that it is time that Brucejack lost the maiden tag over fences, but to be fair to him he’s been in some good company. This could be just the opportunity that Peter Fahy is looking for, and Danny Mullins is an excellent booking. This has to be easier than the Tommy Whittle at Haydock Park the last day, and it is time that Brucejack put a Beginners Chase to bed, given several previous chances. I suppose that John McConnell’s Additional Time would rate the danger, if race fit after a fair break and taking to fences, but Brucejack just edges it for me.

Sky Bet Super Sub Novice Chase (Grade 3) 12.50
Pure Steel (nap)
A cracking little race, where a case could be made for all five. I’ve been keeping an eye on the markets this week, and Willie Mullins Kappa Jy Pyke is surprisingly the outsider despite having turned over Salvator Mundi at 7/1 on his first run over fences! Now, that either shows the depth of this field, or Kappa Jy Pyke didn’t impress as much as the bare result suggests, but I don’t see it that way, I was there the last day and he won deservedly. But, I do like the appeal of Pure Steel from James Joseph Mangan’s yard, who won well on his second start chasing, and seemed to have enough left there to get this longer trip. With Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra yard in red hot form, both Jacob’s Ladder and The Enabler must be considered, while Paul Townend is on Predators Gold who is topping the market. A real puzzle this one, and I’ll expect a super contest, but Pure Steel looks a decent chaser in the making and gets my vote under Mark Walsh.

Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase 1.20
Lovely Reaction
Thomas Mullins’ Lovely Reaction was going well before falling the last day at Fairyhouse, so I’m giving her another chance. She lines up on top weight for this, but it is a shorter trip and the ground will be fine. I’m going through this race, and there’s some that are being asked a question, but Charles Byrne’s Diamond Dollar and James William Hannon’s Hakensack should be thereabouts. Lovely Reaction to defy top weight, if Aidan Kelly can keep her right over the fences, with Hakensack likely to make a race of it.

Sky Bet Extra Places Amateur National (Q.R.) Handicap Chase 1.50
Showurappreciation
It’s yet another JP McManus owned horse that I’m wanting to see win this, and he wouldn’t have to improve much from his run at Navan the last day to take this. That said, Gavin Cromwell’s Evies Vladimir did outstay Showurappreciation in that Navan race, but can be a bit in and out so has risks attached. This pair seem sure to be in the mix, and although Evies Vladimir has a 7lb claimer booked, Showurappreciation has Derek O’Connor in charge, and that really appeals to me. Nine Graces won this last year for Barry Connell, but has been in no sort of form so far this season, while Gordon Elliott’s Gringo D’aubrelle hasn’t really clicked over fences yet but should be noted on some decent hurdle form. Showurappreciation in my JP McManus appreciation day is my pick!

Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.20
Road Exile (nb)
Another cracker of a Graded race for Punchestown’s Sunday meeting. And named after the great Moscow Flyer, winner of the Arkle in 2002 and the Champion Chase in 2003, achieving a Timeform rating of 184, it’s a big name to live up to. So, I’m of the opinion that you can go against the jolly here, who this week has been Willie Mullins’ Sober, the flat recruit that won the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June last year. I will say that on his first start over timber, at Killarney back in May, he got over the line but wasn’t to me overly convincing, so I’m finding it easy to back Gordon Elliott’s Road Exile, who has already convinced me of his ability over hurdles. Now then, we all know Willie Mullins is dead-eye accurate on making sure his string are spot on for the Dublin Racing Festival in three weeks time, so Paul Townend is surely under instructions to give Sober a warm up for the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, and after such a long break shouldn’t be busting a gut to stay with the in-form Road Exile. That’s my reading of this race, so Road Exile is the one that should take this Grade 2, though I am looking forward to seeing what Sober has under the bonnet.