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Punchestown 14:20

Race 5 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (2m 122y)

11th Jan 26

WinnerSoberSP 3.25
Horse
Sober
Jockey
Paul Townend
Trainer
W P Mullins
In the bustling atmosphere of Punchestown, the 2m 122y 'Race 5 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle' at 14:20 is set to be a gripping encounter. Leading the pack in our predictions is Sober, a 7-year-old gelding trained by the legendary W P Mullins and partnered with top jockey Paul Townend. This horse is no stranger to a challenge and holds a near-perfect recent form under various conditions, shining particularly well over the last two years with every outing turning into a win. The live price of 2.38 tags Sober as the favourite, hinting at high confidence from the market. Hot on the heels is Free Spirit, another hopeful from the Mullins stable, ridden by Danny Mullins. Younger at age 5, this gelding is priced at a longer 4.5, indicating a solid chance but possibly seen as needing a bit more to rise to the challenge posed by his stablemate Sober. The recent lack of course-specific data might hinder but Mullins' record at Punchestown can't be ignored, likely pushing Free Spirit to give a strong account. Not far behind, Road Exile, steered by Jack Kennedy and trained by G Elliott, might stir things up with a price of 2.5 suggesting this 6-year-old has what it takes to compete at this level. Although not as robust in the win department as Sober, with a 50% win rate over longer-term races, the combination of Kennedy and Elliott enjoys notable success, which could make Road Exile a serious contender if the race conditions play in his favour. Among others, Frankie John catches the eye not just for his long price of 17 but also as a bit of a wild card. This could be the dark horse for punters looking for a hefty payout from a low-stake bet. However, the day is likely to belong to Sober, who not only has perfect form but also the benefit of the top team behind him. All signs point to a dominant run, making him my top tip for this race. So sit back, and perhaps prep your victory dance for Sober's ride! Whatever your choice, remember to keep the fun alive and wager responsibly!
Article prices indicative and correct at 3:15 am on 11th January 2026

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Course SR 26.17% (from last 386 races)

Course & Distance SR 25.00% (from last 44 races)

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