Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase Punchestown Guide 2023

Inconsistent hurdler who made the switch to fences for Willie Mullins in November last year, finishing second to Fil Dor at Navan in 2m 1f beginner’s chase. He claimed grade one success at Leopardstown in December before unseating in the Irish Arkle and then finishing a good third in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Arrives here on the back of finishing second in the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree earlier this month, just over a length behind Banbridge but it looks like he may have to settle for trying to be the next best in this race, with stablemate El Fabiolo looking hard to beat.

Seven-year-old Indiana Jones arrives at the Punchestown festival for this contest having finished fourth on his latest outing, behind Sole Pretender, Upping The Anti and Flame Bearer in Grade Three Thurles contest over 2m 2f. Career-best came at Navan last month, winning Grade Three Novice ahead of Ha D’Or has generally struggled over fences, including falls on three straight outings in 2021/22.

Steps up to this level for the first time over fences and may be out of his depth. Should be able to dismiss him against the likes of El Fabiolo.

Willie Mullins sends Arkle winner El Fabiolo to this contest in search of another grade one victory with the six-year-old. The gelding was good over hurdles but has been even better over fences, winning all three starts over the larger obstacles.

Those victories include the Irish Arkle, by ten lengths to Banbridge and winning the Cheltenham Arkle last time out, five-and-a-half-lengths ahead of Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon (who has since gone on to score in grade one at Aintree).

The 164-rated chaser bids to make it four out of four over fences and has a massive chance to do so, having beaten two of this field last time out. Leading player.

Leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins has three of the four runners in this contest, with El Fabiolo, Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo. This seven-year-old has had an indifferent career so far, winning two bumpers, two hurdling races and a chasing race as well as falling twice (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle last time out).

He likes to run out in front of the runners but is yet to build on that first win over fences at Leopardstown, finishing fourth in the Irish Arkle and falling at the Cheltenham festival for the second year running, this time in the Arkle.

He would’ve finished behind El Fabiolo there and that looks to be the case here. Can go better than last time and possibly finish runner-up.