SUNDAY
Felix Yonger won the Grade 2 BoyleSports Tied Cottage Chase over two miles at Punchestown, a seventh graded success in the career of the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old. Bred by John Brophy, the son of Grange Stud stallion Oscar (by Sadler's Wells) is out of Marble Sound (by Be My Native) and so is a half-brother to the blacktype-placed mare My Valley (by Saddlers' Hall).I reviewed Felix Yonger's pedigree in detail in the 13th December 2014 edition of The Irish Field.
Bonny Kate won the Grade C racinguk.com/freetrial Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over three and a half miles at Punchestown, a first blacktype success for the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old. Bred by Robert Guiry, the daughter of late Knockhouse Stud stallion Beneficial (by Top Ville) is out of Peppardstown (by Old Vic), which makes her a full-sister to the dual Grade 2-winning hurdler Mala Beach. Her dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed chaser Aztec Warrior (by Taipan) and comes from the family of Monbeg Dude (by Witness Box).-----
SATURDAY
Smad Place continued his march towards the top with a 12-length victory in the Grade 2 BetBright Trial Chase over three miles, one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham. The 168-rated grey was bred by Eric and Maryse Aubree, he is trained by Alan King, and he is a son of the late Smadoun (by Kaldoun). He is a half-brother to a French flat winner and his dam is the dual French chase scorer Bienna Star (by Village Star).Thistlecrack easily won the Grade 2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham, a fourth blacktype success for the dual Grade 1 star. Bred by Robin and Scarlett Knipe, and trained by Colin Tizzard, the eight-year-old is a son of Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells). He is a half-brother to last month's Grade 2-placed novice hurdler West Approach (by Westerner) and his dam is the successful staying chaser Ardstown (by Ardross).Protek Des Flos made it two from two since joining the Nicky Henderson stable, winning the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (Juvenile Hurdle) (registered as the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) over two miles, one furlong at Cheltenham. Bred in France by Clovis and Florence Bardin, the gelding is a son of the multiple middle-distance pattern scorer Protektor (by Acatenango), he is out of Flore De Chantenay (by Smadoun) and he is a half-brother to the French chase winner Saint Des Flos (by Saint Des Saints).Yanworth is now unbeaten in four starts over obstacles following his seven-length success in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (registered as Classic Novices' Hurdle) over two miles, four and a half furlongs at Cheltenham. The Alan King-trained six-year-old is a son of Yorton Farm Stud stallion Norse Dancer (by Halling), his siblings include the prolific Grand Lahou (by Cyborg), and his dam Yota (by Galetto) is a winning half-sister to the blacktype scorers Juntico (by Robin Des Champs) and Azulejo (by Pistolet Bleu).Vaniteux made it two from three over fences with victory in the Grade 2 grand-national2016.co.uk Lightning Novices' Chase over two miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, who was bred in France by Jacques Cypres, is another advertisement for the Group 1 winner and late Haras de Cercy stallion Voix Du Nord (by Valanour). He is a half-brother to several winners and his dam Expoville (by Video Rock) is a blacktype-placed half-sister to the listed chase scorers Bilbao V (by Bad Conduct) and Alcaloide (by Maiymad).Smart Talk, a listed winner at Haydock in December, gave her future paddocks value another boost when taking the Grade 2 OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle (registered as Doncaster Mares' Hurdle) over two miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. The Brian Ellison-trained six-year-old was bred by Roland Rothwell, she is a daughter of Hubbly Bubbly (by Mr Prospector), and she is a full-sister to the Grade 1 SunAlliance Chase runner-up Idle Talk. Her dam Belon Breeze (by Strong Gale) is out of the triple chase scorer Belon Brig (by New Brig).Barters Hill extended his unbeaten record to seven with an odds-on success in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (registered as River Don Novices' Hurdle) over three miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. That tally includes four bumpers. The Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old was bred by Lady Jennifer Fowler, he is a son of Boardsmill Stud stallion Kalanisi (by Doyoun) and his dam Circle The Wagons (by Commanche Run) is a half-sister to the Grade 1 Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle winner Fundamentalist (by Supreme Leader).I reviewed Barters Hill's pedigree in detail in the 18th April 2015 edition of The Irish Field.
Annacotty won the Grade 3 freebets.com Trophy Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham, a fourth graded success for the Alan King-trained son of late Knockhouse Stud flag bearer Beneficial (by Top Ville). He was bred by Patrick Crotty Jnr and his hurdles-winning dam Mini Moo Min (by Ardross) is out of Mulloch Brae (by Sunyboy), a high-class chaser and full-sister to Bigsun.I reviewed Annacotty's pedigree in detail in the 4th January 2014 edition of The Irish Field.
Limini made it two from two under National Hunt rules when taking the Grade 3 Coolmore NH Sires Mares Novice Hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Fairyhouse. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was bred by Sir Edmund Loder and she reeled off a middle-distance hat-trick on the flat last summer. She is by the Group 1 flat sire Peintre Celebre (by Nureyev) and her dam Her Grace (by Spectrum) is a half-sister to the Group 1 Irish Oaks heroine Vintage Tipple (by Entrepreneur). It is also the family of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup hero Vintage Crop (by Rousillon).