Kappa Jy Pyke swoops late for Grade Three glory

Kappa Jy Pyke came from last to first to add his name to the illustrious roll of honour in the Bet Super Sub Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Envoi Allen (2021), Bob Olinger (2022), Spillane’s Tower (2024) and Kappa Jy Pyke Sky’s subsequent Cheltenham Festival-winning stablemate Lecky Watson (2025) are among the recent winners of this Grade Three prize and a small but select field of five went to post for this year’s renewal.

Kappa Jy Pyke, who had inflicted a shock defeat on his esteemed stablemate Salvator Mundi on his fencing debut at Thurles in November, was the apparent second string of two runners for champion trainer Willie Mullins, with Predators Gold the 4-6 favourite in the hands of stable jockey Paul Townend.

The latter set out to make all the running and looked the likely winner between the final two fences, but Danny Mullins had kept his powder dry for a late challenge aboard 5-1 shot Kappa Jy Pyke, timing his run perfectly to grab the lead on the run-in and he was ultimately impressive in scoring by three and a half lengths, with Gordon Elliott’s Jacob’s Ladder coming through to beat Predators Gold to the runner-up spot.

Of the winner, Mullins’ assistant David Casey said: “He was good. He obviously won well the first day.

“We thought he was a decent horse last year over hurdles but he disappointed for no reason after winning his maiden hurdle. I’d say he’s just strengthened up a bit this year.

“It looked like they went a nice gallop on the ground and I thought he jumped really quick early in the race and was wondering would he come back in trip as he was jumping so fast.

“Danny said he relaxed when he pulled him out and he put it to bed well at the back of the last.

“We thought he was a stayer last year, but at the moment you would say that trip (two and a half miles) suits him.”