THERE were a few Cheltenham pointers at Naas last Saturday where Dinoblue warmed up for her trip to the festival with another success in the BBA Ireland Ltd Opera Hat Mares Chase.

Willie Mullins’ charge won the listed contest 12 months ago before going on to take the Mares’ Chase at Prestbury Park and is now a clear favourite for a repeat in that contest.

It proved plain sailing for the J.P. McManus-owned mare as she made all, for Mark Walsh, and stretched clear after the second last for a cosy 11-length success over Bioluminescence.

Racing manager Frank Berry said afterwards: “She’s a great bit of stuff, she turns up every day. You could set your clock by her. She jumped great and she handles that ground very well. You couldn’t ask for better. It was a nice prep, a nice bit of work and you couldn’t be happier. Mark was delighted with her.” When asked about her heading back to Cheltenham he added: “That’ll be Willie’s plan, I’m sure.”

Spring targets

Panda Boy landed the other race over fences on the card and he’s set for bigger targets now in the spring after his success in the QuinnBet Hunters Chase.

John Gleeson also employed front-running tactics on the 85/40 shot and he found plenty when pressed by Hunters Yarn, two from home, pulled away late on for a four length success.

Trainer Martin Brassil said afterwards: “That should qualify him for any of those Foxhunters. That was the main aim. I approached Brian (Gleeson) to see if he was interested in him because I knew John was looking to get on a horse like that. It’s worked out great.

“John missed out on riding him the last day but gave him a super ride there. Hopefully he’ll give him a good ride now in the race at Cheltenham. He’ll love the extra quarter-of-a-mile and he jumps well.”

GORDON Elliott reached his 150th winner in Ireland this season courtesy of a double on the card. He was on the mark early as Highland Crystal ran out a game winner of the opening SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Novice Hurdle.

The 11/8 shot was to the fore throughout and jumped out to her right when tackled by Saratoga over the final flight. She drifted to her right in the closing stages but found plenty late on to secure a three-quarter-length win under Jack Kennedy.

“She gave herself a little nick and Jack said she was leaning a little bit right the whole way up the straight,” said Elliott of the unbeaten Robcour filly.

“She’s probably more of a Fred Winter filly really but we’ll see what mark she gets. She could maybe be a filly that we keep for Fairyhouse over two and a half miles, it might suit her better. She’s blacktype now and she’s won three races so she’s very gutsy.”

It proved much simpler for Jalon d’Oudairies as he landed odds of 1/10 with little fuss in the Cavan Developments Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle. Kennedy made all on the Gigginstown House-owned gelding and he went clear after the second last for a very easy 27-length win over Healys Pub.

“He had good form, he hasn’t been the easiest horse to train but I’d say he’s in a good place at the moment,” said Elliott.

“I liked the way he went from the last to the line, even though it wasn’t the strongest race in the world.”

COOLE Cafe was given a well judged hold up ride by Eoghan Finegan as she made it two wins from three career starts in the bumper on the card.

The Kodi Bear mare had won an academy hurdle on debut before a slightly disappointing show in a Leopardstown bumper at Christmas.

She swooped through to lead over a furlong from home and soon settled matters for a cosy three-and-a-half length.

“I let Deckie (Lavery) ride her too close to the pace the last day and she got very lit up, she was rotten keen and he couldn’t get her settled at all,” said Cromwell.

“It was ideal there today with only five runners, she could follow them around in last and she has loads of gears. It was a very good performance.

“She went through the line well and she’s a nice filly. We wouldn’t rule out trying to pick up a bit of blacktype in a bumper.”

Raise You Up looks like another horse with a bright future after his second success over timber in the Red Mills EBF Auction Novice Hurdle.

Danny Gilligan was another to be positive on his mount and the 11/8 favourite battled gamely when tackled by Grey Jude going to the last, posting a two-length success.

“He’s a horse that has progressed,” said trainer Ross O’Sullivan.

“His jumping was so good today, even when it was nip and tuck and he needed it over the last two with the favourite. I think jumping was the winning of the race. He should progress into a lovely three-mile horse.”

Barry off the mark as a pro

Hesgonethatway repaid the patience of his connections when taking the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in fine style.

Brian Barry made the perfect start to a new connection with trainer Philip Rothwell, and also bagged his first winner as a professional on the 12/1 shot.

He produced the Califet gelding to lead going to the last and they stretched clear late on for an 11-length success.

“He’s a big raw horse, a big weak horse,” said Rothwell. “At one stage last year I was nearly thinking of pulling the plug on him and then we gave him the summer off.

“They are a great bunch of lads to train for (Night Owls Syndicate), they were hugely patient with him and he’s just improved as the winter has gone on.

“To be fair to Brian he gave him a very good ride, I told him to take his time and go wide.”