SATURDAY

  • Thistlecrack won the Grade 1 JLT Long Walk Hurdle over three miles, 97 yards at Ascot, a second success at the highest level for the Colin Tizzard-trained son of Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells). The seven-year-old was bred by Robin and Scarlett Knipe, he is out of the successful staying chaser Ardstown (by Ardross), and his siblings include the recent Grade 2-placed hurdler West Approach (by Westerner).

  • Gangster notched up his first blacktype success when taking the Grade 3 Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle (registered as the Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle) over three miles at Fairyhouse. The five-year-old son of late Haras d'Etreham sire Green Tune (by Green Dancer) is trained by Willie Mullins and he was bred by Newsells Park Stud. He is out of Dahlia's Krissy (by Kris S), he is a half-brother to the Group 1 Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage (by Giant's Causeway), and his third dam is the great racemare and broodmare Dahlia (by Vaguely Noble).

  • Jolly's Cracked It dead-heated in the Grade 3 The Ladbroke (Handicap Hurdle) over one mile, seven furlongs and 152 yards at Ascot, a first blacktype success for the Harry Fry-trained son of Astarabad (by Alleged). Bred by Henrietta Charlet and Daniel Charlesworth, the six-year-old is out of Jolly Harbour (by Rudimentary), which makes him a half-brother to the Grade 1-placed listed hurdles scorer Crack Away Jack (by Gold Away).

    The horse with whom he shared the spoils is the Philip Hobbs-trained four-year-old Sternrubin, a son of the Derby hero and Haras du Logis stallion Authorized (by Montjeu). Bred by Gestut Karlshof, the four-year-old won a listed contest at Newbury on his previous start, and his dam Sworn Mum (by Samum) is a stakes-placed half-sister to the Group 3 scorer Sworn Pro (by Protektor).

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    FRIDAY

  • Yanworth extended his unbeaten record over jumps to three when taking the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle) over a few yards short of two miles at Ascot. The Alan King-trained five-year-old was bred by Wood Farm Stud and he is a son of the Yorton Farm Stud stallion Norse Dancer (by Halling). His siblings include the multiple hurdles and chase scorer Grand Lahou (by Cyborg) and his dam Yota (by Galetto), who won on the flat and over fences, is a half-sister to the blacktype scorers Juntico (by Robin Des Champs) and Azulejo (by Pistolet Bleu).

  • Le Mercurey maintained his unbeaten record over fences with victory in the Grade 2 Mitie Novices' Chase (registered as the Noel Novices' Chase) over two miles, five furlongs at Ascot. The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old, a son of the late top-class chaser Nickname (by Lost World), is out of the blacktype-winning chaser Feroe (by Burlington). He was bred by S A R L Carion Emm and his dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1 scorer Le Chablis (by Sassanian).

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    MONDAY

  • Felix Yonger notched up the sixth blacktype success of his career with a two and a half length score in the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase over two miles, one furlong at Navan. The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was bred by John Brophy, he is a son of the Grange Stud stallion Oscar (by Sadler's Wells), and his dam Marble Sound (by Be My Native) is also responsible for the blacktype-placed mare My Valley (by Saddlers' Hall).

    Felix Yonger's pedigree was reviewed in detail in the 13th December 2014 edition of The Irish Field, which is available online.

  • Queens Wild gave her future paddocks value a tremendous boost when narrowly winning the Grade 3 Kerry Group European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Chase over two miles, one furlong at Navan. Robert Guiry's homebred five-year-old is trained by Eddie Harty and she is a daughter of the Castle Hyde Stud stallion Westerner (by Danehill). She is a half-sister to several winners and her dam Pepsi Starlet (by Heavenly Manna) comes from the immediate family of Aces Wild (by Lightning Dealer) and Baies (by Raise You Ten), both of whom Guiry also bred.