Punchestown 10 December 2024 Dancing City and Paul Townend win for owner Joe Donnelly and trainer Willie Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Three-time Grade 1 winner, Dancing City, lit up an overcast Punchestown on Tuesday when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase in fine style. Paddy Power has cut his price for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham from 10-1 to 6-1, while stablemate, Hey Sunshine, shortened into 20-1 for the Mares’ Novices Hurdle, following a ready win an hour later.
Kitzbuhel added further to the excitement for the Closutton team with an impressive display, shrugging off Colonel Mustard in a 2m hurdle and earning a 50-1 price for the Champion Hurdle.
Martin Brassil was delighted with Cheltenham Bumper-placed James’s Gate after his emphatic victory and he is available at 25-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Here is what connections had to say.
Dancing City 6-1 from 10-1 with Paddy Power after winning a 2m7f beginners chase at Punchestown on Tuesday
Jockey quote: That was nice, he jumped brilliantly in the main and then took in the scenery down the straight! I gave him a slap going to the last to make him concentrate, he jumped it well and then we heard another one coming but he pulled out plenty again. It's as good a start as you could hope for. He's very good, he has been good since he started and we were hoping for that. (Paul Townend)
James’s Gate 25-1 (1st show) with Paddy Power after winning a 2m3f maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday
Trainer quote: He’s had his problems, but he’s been in a good place since he came back this summer. We know he has raw talent from his bumper days and we’ll see how much we can capitalise on that. I’d like to see his jumping improve a bit, but he could be a talented horse going forward. He’s a nice horse to have around the place, he’s a lovely individual. (Martin Brassil)
Hey Sunshine 20-1 from 33-1 with Paddy Power after winning a 2m3f novice hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday
Jockey quote: In fairness to Hey Sunshine she's improving with every run, has a lovely attitude and really wants it. The gap opened for me (on the inner) but you need the animal to take you there. The step up in trip helped and she hit the line strong again today. The ground was a bit of an unknown but she handled it well and that opens more doors. I don't know if she'd handle heavy ground but she'll handle nice winter ground. I'd say she's just improving all the time and she's tough. (Paul Townend)
Kitzbuhel 50-1 first show with Paddy Power after winning the 2m Members Club 2025 Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday
Jockey quote: That was very nice. He stays really well, he looked that way in France and he'll handle the depths of winter (ground). He has a lovely temperament, he had experience and he's probably jumping since he was a yearling. He jumped brilliantly and he gallops and covers ground. He'll stay a lot further. He beat good horses there and listening to the boys coming in, I had them racing plenty early and he found loads. He's a nice staying type. (Paul Townend)
