SATURDAY

  • Carlingford Lough scored a repeat success in the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup over three miles, 60 yards at Leopardstown. The John Kiely-trained 10-year-old, who was bred by Kenilworth House Stud, is a son of the late Ballylinch Stud stallion King's Theatre. He is out of the blacktype-winning hurdler Baden (by Furry Flen), which makes him a half-brother to the Grade 1 scorer Thisthatandtother (by Bob Back) and to Grade 3 winner The Tother One (by Accordion).

    I reviewed Carlingford Lough's pedigree in detail in the 14th February 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Outlander won the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase over two miles, five furlongs and 60 yards at Leopardstown, taking his unbeaten record over fences to three. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old was bred by Ronnie O'Neill and he is a son of the late Whytemount Stud stallion Stowaway (by Slip Anchor). He is out of Western Whisper (by Supreme Leader) and his string of winning full-siblings include Grade 2-winning hurdler Western Leader and blacktype chase scorer Mart Lane.

  • Bleu Et Rouge won the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Leopardstown, a second win from three starts over obstacles for the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old. Bred in France by Haras de la Rousseliere, he is a son of Charming Groom (by Kaldoun), is a full-brother to the winning French chaser Valet De Trefle, and out of the unraced AQPS mare Lady Du Renom (by Art Francais).

  • Footpad sprang a 14/1 surprise in the Grade 1 GAIN Spring Juvenile Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown, a third win from four starts since the son of Haras de Lonray stallion Creachadoir (by King's Best) moved to Ireland. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was bred in France by Louise and Camille Collet, he is out of Willamina (by Sadler's Wells), and so is a half-brother to the listed hurdles winner Wanaba (by Anabaa) and to the blacktype placed duo Organisateur (by Highest Honor) and Wild Mania (by King's Best).

  • Bristol De Mai won the Grade 1 Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase over two and a half miles at Sandown. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained five-year-old is a son of Haras de Cercy stallion Saddler Maker (by Sadler's Wells), he was bred in France by Jean-Yves Touzaint, and he is out of the AQPS mare La Bole Night (by April Night).

  • Blaklion won the Grade 2 Totepool Towton Novices' Chase over three miles and 45 yards at Wetherby, a third win at that level for the son of Overbury Stud ace Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells) but his first blacktype success over fences. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and bred by Mary Morrison, his dam Franciscaine (by Legend Of France) is also responsible for the blacktype-placed duo Francesa (by Silver Patriarch) and Francis Du Mesnil (by Saint Preuil). It is the family of the multiple Group/Grade 1 star The Wonder (by Wittgenstein).

  • Saddlers Encore won the Grade 3 Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle over two miles, seven furlongs and 98 yards at Sandown, a first blacktype success for the Philip Hobbs-trained son of Glenview Stud's multiple champion sire Presenting (by Mtoto). Bred by Kevin Neville, the seven-year-old is out of Saddlers Leader (by Saddlers' Hall), who is a half-sister to the blacktype-placed pair Ballydub (by Presenting) and Raysrock (by Anshan) and from the family of Irish Grand National runner-up Seskin Bridge (by Laurence O).