A REVITALISED Boston Bob led home a Willie Mullins one-two-three in the Grade 2 At The Races Bobbyjo Chase and the champion trainer could have quite a hand to play in the Crabbie’s Grand National, although a Gold Cup bid on the way wasn’t ruled out for either of the first two.

After pulling up in the Thyestes Chase last time, the 11-year-old Boston Bob was recording his first win since bagging the fourth of his Grade 1 triumphs in the 2014 Punchestown Gold Cup. His owner’s Andrea and Graham Wylie also had the second in the admirable On His Own.

The outcome could all have been very different had the favourite Mala Beach not exited at the second last when going nicely in the lead.

When Mala Beach fell he did hamper On His Own somewhat but the latter, whose zest and enthusiam at this stage of his career is quite remarkable, fought back well for Patrick Mullins to challenge Boston Bob at the last. The veterans were then locked in battle for the duration of the run-in only for Ruby Walsh’s mount to edge the verdict by a head. Turban was a further eight and a half lengths back in third on his first run since April.

“That was a bit fortuitous with Mala Beach falling but I’m delighted to get Boston Bob back in front again on ground that he wouldn’t like,” said Mullins. “On His Own ran well and I loved the way he battled back. Turban ran well over the trip and he’s now qualified for the National.”

“I’ll have a chat with the Wylies and see what we are going to do but both horses are in the Gold Cup and it’s possible they could run in both, I don’t think running in the Gold Cup precludes a horse from going on to run well in the National,” added Mullins.

Newberry New (7/2) once again showed a real liking for testing conditions to spring a mild surprise in the Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle. Just a week after a maiden hurdle win at Gowran Park, the Jessica Harrington inmate looked as though he might have his work cut out against the odds-on French import Voix Du Reve.

The Robert Power-ridden winner led the field into the straight but travelling smoothly on his outer was Voix Du Reve who seemed poised to take charge with a quick jump at the last. The favourite had raced somewhat keenly though and he was unable to withstand Newberry New’s renewed bid on the the run-in.

At the line the Noel Carter-owned gelding had half a length to spare with Voix Du Reve dead-heating for second with the strong finishing Tocororo.

“He’s just improving, he battled well and he stays well,” reported the trainer. “I’d say it’s more than likely that he will come back here over Easter. He’s had a couple of tough races lately and I’d like to give him a chance before running him again.”

SMOOTH SALSIFY

The 2012 and 2013 Cheltenham Foxhunter hero Salsify provided yet further evidence that he is returning to the peak of his powers with an ultra smooth display in the hunter chase. In truth the Rodger Sweeney-owned gelding faced a simple task against his three rivals but he jumped superbly at all stages for Richard Harding and was in control a long way from home.The Joan Sweeney-owned gelding, who led from the sixth fence, ran out a leisurely seven and a half lengths winner.

Incredibly this gelding has to finish either first or second in a point-to-point this weekend to qualify for Cheltenham.

During the week connections decided not to run the horse in a point this weekend and so he will not qualify for Cheltenham. The Tetratema Hunters Chase at Gowran Park next Saturday (March 5th), followed by the Aintree and Punchestown festivals, are his new targets.

“He got injured in 2014 and was injured in Cheltenham last year but he looked back in a big way there,” commented Rodger Sweeney. “He’ll go for the Tetratema at Gowran next week.”

The talented Squouateur showed that he could be on the cusp of a big handicap triumph as he made it three wins from five career starts in the Parkview Provisions & Avenue Inn Supporting Killeavy GAC Handicap Hurdle. This two and a half mile contest looked a quality handicap and boasted an intriguing runner in the ex-French Townshend.

The latter travelled notably well for much of the race before eventually taking fourth but nothing moved through the race with the ease of the Mark Walsh-ridden winner. The 6/1 chance got to the front in between the last two flights and readily contained the hat-trick chasing Coolaghknock Glebe. A length and three quarters separated the J.P. McManus-owned one-two with Mall Dini finishing a further four lengths away in third.

“He keeps surprising me as at home he just does what he has to, it’s a good way to have it I suppose,” commented Gordon Elliott.

TOUGH MARE

Robert Power followed up his win on Newberry New when Not For Burning (11/4) shrugged aside top weight in the Ratcliffe Group Supporting St. Margaret’s GAA Mares Handicap Hurdle. The Sneezy Foster-trained mare has previously shown that stamina is her forte so she was well equipped to deal with the demands of this very testing two and a half miles.

From before the last Not For Burning had Siberian Vixen covered and although she did idle late on she still prevailed by half a length. There was some 32 lengths back to the remainder.

“She’s a tough mare and was probably just getting a little lonely out in front,” commented the trainer whose charge is owned by Eric Allen and David O’Connell.

Adrian Keatley marked his first winner from his new Curragh base in style as Thebarrowman produced a commanding display in the Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) Flat Race. The imposing son of Mahler made all the running under Jason McKeown and the former point-to-point winner maintained a relentless tempo in the straight to hand out a seven and a half lengths beating to the strong favourite Laverteen.

“He’s a big, galloping horse and stays very well. It wouldn’t surprise if in time he made up into a high class three-mile chasing type,” declared Keatley.

Willie Mullins also struck with Vedettariat (15/8) in the At The Races EBF Beginners Chase. Only a couple of the runners ever got meaningfully involved and Ruby Walsh produced the Susannah Ricci-owned gelding to head the free-wheeling Katnap at the entrance to the straight. Vedettariat soon cruised clear to score by 29 lengths.

“He might be one for handicaps rather than novice races. He works well at home and I think he wants better ground bu Ruby feels he wants it like it is today and all three of his wins have been on this sort of ground,” remarked Mullins.

Acting Stewards

R. Dore, T. Hunt, Ms. M. O’Connor, P. Reynolds, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

BARNACLE BILL (Mrs J. Harrington): He was beaten over 15 lengths into fourth in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle but shaped up nicely on his first start over hurdles. On better ground later in the year he will be a smart recruit to jumping.

Bans

JACK Kennedy was given a three-day whip ban after parntering Siberian Vixen into second in the handicap hurdle won by Not For Burning. Patrick Mullins also got a three-day whip ban for his efforts on On His Own in the Bobbyjo Chase.

Didn’t travel

FINE Theatre was reported never to have travelled when pulling up in the beginners’ chase for which he started favourite.