Eachtotheirown led all the way to claim the Grade 1 PRL Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, delivering a 16/1 upset and pointing to a possible career over fences
At Punchestown on April 28, 2026 the opening Grade 1 of the meeting produced a memorable result when Eachtotheirown defied the market to claim the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle. Ridden by Seán Flanagan and trained by Barry Connell, the seven-year-old gelding covered the extended distance in an assertive, front-running performance.
The contest was run over an extended two-mile trip (listed as 2m 132y) on a yielding surface against an eight-runner field, with the winner stopping the clock in 4m 9.00s.
How the race unfolded
The pattern of the race was straightforward: Eachtotheirown, sent off at odds of 16/1, took the initiative early and never ceded the advantage.
Under Seán Flanagan he led throughout, being pushed along approaching the straight and then ridden after the last hurdle before keeping on well to hold the rest of the field. The gelding is a son of Westerner and is co-owned by Barry Connell and Tim O’Driscoll, combining a strong staying pedigree with an experienced handler and jockey team.
The beaten horses and margins
When the judge went up, Blake (17/2) finished second, 4¼ lengths behind the winner, with Le Labo (9/1) another 2¾ lengths back in third. The market favourite, El Cairos (2/1), trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, was unable to match his earlier mid-race position and slipped to fourth, a further 1½ lengths adrift of third. The full finishing sequence underlined how the front-running tactics succeeded for the longshot while several well-regarded contenders failed to reel him in.
Industry context and performance data
Eachtotheirown carried an official rating of 135 for this event and can now claim a top-level victory on his record. The race was classed as a Grade 1 contest for novice hurdlers, a category indicating horses stepping up within their first season over obstacles. Winning a race of this grade often marks a turning point, with connections frequently contemplating a switch to chasing or targeting other major staying assignments next season.
What the jockey and trainer signalled
After the race Seán Flanagan indicated that there was more to come from the winner, hinting at a possible move to fences when the time is right. Barry Connell, meanwhile, will consider whether to keep the gelding in top-level hurdles company or to prepare him for a novice chasing campaign. Their comments echoed the performance: a confident front-runner who achieved a high-class success and now presents several plausible pathways for his future career.
Race statistics and notable facts
The event attracted a competitive lineup, and the official split and finishing margins underline the decisive nature of the victory. The market had backed a few expected performers, but Eachtotheirown proved resilient in testing ground conditions. The winner’s time of 4m 9.00s over 2m 132y on yielding turf is a useful reference when comparing performances across similar Festival fixtures.
Implications for future targets
Victories like this often shape a horse’s program: a Grade 1 success provides both a rating boost and a platform for invitations to other major meetings. Connections may choose to aim at top staying novice chases or return to major hurdle assignments, depending on seasonal goals and the horse’s aptitude for fences. Betting markets and pundits will now reassess Eachtotheirown‘s prospects for 2026-27, particularly if the plan to switch to chasing materialises.
In short, Punchestown’s opening Grade 1 produced a clear front-running winner in Eachtotheirown, a 16/1 shot who led from the outset, beat Blake by 4¼ lengths and left connections discussing an exciting future. The result reshuffles expectations among the top novice hurdlers and gives racing followers a new name to watch as the season progresses.
