THERE was a lot of pressure on space in this column in the run up to Christmas so we couldn’t cover the win of the Gordon Elliott-trained Bless The Wings in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on December 15th.

The 12-year-old Winged Love gelding, who runs in the colours of Adrian Butler and Ward Union Hunt joint-Master Stephen O’Connor, was bred by Goffs UK agent Caroline Kenneally when she was based at Scarvagh Stud. Out of the Mandalus mare Silva Venture, the bay has been a regular participant in cross-country races at Prestbury Park in recent years and deserved this success following three consecutive second-place finishes.

He could well go back to Cheltenham in March to take his chance over the banks again and another tilt at the Irish Grand National could be on the cards. He has finished second in the big one at Fairyhouse two years running.

The in-form team of trainer Donald McCain and jockey Will Kennedy had just the one winner at Doncaster that same afternoon when they landed the concluding extended three-mile qualifier for the Northern Lights Mares Hurdle Final with Dark Sunset.

The six-year-old Scorpion bay, who was winning for the third time over timber, was bred near Comber by David Mitchell out of the bumper and dual hurdle winner Wilmott’s Fancy (by Buckley), the dam of three other winners on the track. Dark Sunset started her career in the care of Stuart Crawford for whom she ran three times last season, finishing second in a Largy maiden on her final outing.