Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle: Analysis and Results from Punchestown
The Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed) took center stage at Punchestown on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Contested over a distance of 2 miles and 90 yards on yielding turf, this Class 1 event brought together a select field of five runners, testing both the speed and stamina of some of the region’s most promising novice mares.
- Winning Time: 4m 13.20s
- Going: Yielding
- Distance: 2m 90y
- Top Form Pick: Diamond Du Berlais
- Non-Runner: Blue Velvet (W P Mullins)
The Leading Contenders and Form Analysis
Entering the race, Diamond Du Berlais, trained by W P Mullins and ridden by Mr P W Mullins, was identified as the clear form pick. The ex-French hurdler arrived with significant momentum after a winning start for the yard at Ludlow in February and a highly impressive sixth-place finish in the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival, where she competed in a field of 22. Carrying a weight of 11-4, she entered the race with a primary objective to resume her winning ways.
Another strong prospect was Future Prospect, also from the W P Mullins stable and ridden by Paul Townend. Having secured a victory in a 2-mile Naas maiden in January and finishing fourth in a Grade 1 event at Fairyhouse, Future Prospect was viewed as a likely player in the closing stages of the race.
Rounding out the competitive field were:
- Adrienne: Ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe for trainer T M Walsh, Adrienne carried 10-10. She previously scored at Fairyhouse in November and recently placed fourth in the Percy Maynard Juvenile Hurdle.
- Alliteration: Trained by J P Dempsey and ridden by Keith Donoghue, this five-year-old had recently won a Fairyhouse maiden after being fitted with cheekpieces and a tongue strap.
- Catchabird: The highest weight carrier at 11-7, trained by Ms S J Connell and ridden by Aidan Kelly, Catchabird entered the contest following a win in a Wexford maiden and a successful handicap at Navan.
Race Logistics and Prize Distribution
The race featured a total of five starters, following the withdrawal of Blue Velvet. The purse for the event was distributed among the top six finishing positions, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Listed status:
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | €24,000.00 |
| 2nd Place | €8,001.00 |
| 3rd Place | €4,000.00 |
| 4th Place | €2,000.00 |
| 5th Place | €1,200.00 |
| 6th Place | €800.00 |
Historical Context
The 2026 edition follows the 2025 victory of Cottesloe Sunshine, who was trained by J P O’Brien and ridden by J J Slevin. That victory was noted for its underdog status, as the horse won at odds of 33/1, carrying a weight of 11-7.
Final Outlook
The Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle continues to serve as a critical benchmark for novice mares in Ireland. With the dominance of the W P Mullins stable evident in both the form picks and the entry list, the race highlights the high standard of training and selection currently defining the Listed hurdle circuit at Punchestown.