Punchestown draws the curtain on 2025’s racing calendar and the opening race, the Celebrating 175 Years At Punchestown Tote Beginners’ Chase, revolves around the stamina of former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel. To his credit, he didn’t give up, and was battling all the way to the winning line. Ballygunner Castle performed quite well on chasing debut and with a little improvement, he should be in the frame once more. Marginal preference is for the former, who was having his first run in almost nine months when running away with a novice handicap chase last month in Naas. Sammy Smart rates a danger following his big effort in defeat on last month’s return to action.

Source: Irish Examiner December 31, 2025 18:30 UTC