THURSDAY

  • Up For Review made it two from two over obstacles when taking the Grade 2 Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle over three miles at Punchestown. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was bred by Colette O'Driscoll and he is a son of Glenview Stud's multiple champion sire Presenting (by Mtoto). His dam Coolsilver (by Good Thyne) is an unraced half-sister to the Grade 1 Gold Cup third and Grade 2 hurdles scorer Turpin Green (by Presenting).

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    TUESDAY

  • Nichols Canyon took his National Hunt record to seven wins from nine starts with a hard-fought victory in the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old is a son of the Derby hero and Haras du Logis stallion Authorized (by Montjeu) and he was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd. He is a half-brother to the stakes-placed filly Bright Approach (by New Approach) and his dam Zam Zoom (by Dalakhani) comes from the immediate family of the Group 1 stars Luso (by Salse) and Warrsan (by Caerleon).

    I reviewed Nichols Canyon's pedigree in detail in the 6th December 2014 edition of The Irish Field.

  • No More Heroes maintained his unbeaten record over fences with victory the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase over three miles at Leopardstown, his second win at the highest level. The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old is a son of Glenview Stud's multiple champion sire Presenting (by Mtoto). He was bred by Peter and Ann Downes, and his dam What A Breeze (by Naheez) is a half-sister to the high-class pair Celestial Gold (by Persian Mews) and Fiveforthree (by Arzanni).

    I reviewed the pedigree of No More Heroes in detail in the 5th December 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Barters Hill easily beat two rivals to take the Grade 1 Betfred “Goals Galore” Challow Novices' Hurdle over two miles, four and a half furlongs at Newbury, extending his unbeaten record to six. Two of those have been over obstacles. The Ben Pauling-trained five-year-old was bred by Lady Fowler, he is a son of Boardsmill Stud stallion Kalanisi (by Doyoun), and his dam Circle The Wagons (by Commanche Run) is an unraced half-sister to the Grade 1 Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle winner Fundamentalist (by Supreme Leader).

    I reviewed the pedigree of Barters Hill in detail in the 18th April 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Keppols Queen won the Grade 3 Willis European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle over two and a half miles at Leopardstown, a second win at that level this year for the Jessica Harrington-trained seven-year-old. She was bred by Mona O'Loughlin, she is a daughter of Indian River (by Cadoudal), and her dam Keppols Princess (by Soviet Lad) is a half-sister to the prolific dual-purpose horse Roca Murada (by Cyrano De Bergerac).

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    MONDAY

  • Don Poli won the Grade 1 Lexus Chase over three miles at Leopardstown, a third win at the highest level for the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old. Bred by Brian Griffiths and John Nicholson, he is a son of the Haras d'Etreham stallion Poliglote (by Sadler's Wells) and his dam Dalamine (by Sillery) is a full-sister to the graded-winning hurdler Multipass.

    I reviewed Don Poli's pedigree in detail in the 3rd January 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Prince Of Scars won the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle over three miles at Leopardstown, a second blacktype success for the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old. A son of Beeches Stud stallion Flemensfirth (by Alleged), he is a €175,000 graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, and he was bred by Eamon Salmon. He is a half-brother to the blacktype-winning staying chaser Folsom Blue (by Old Vic) and his dam is the Tote Gold Trophy and County Hurdle heroine Spirit Leader (by Supreme Leader).

    I reviewed Prince Of Scars's pedigree in detail in the 28th November 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

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    SUNDAY

  • Long Dog extended his winning run to six with victory in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown, a second win at the highest level for the Willie Mullins-trained son of Knockhouse Stud stallion Notnowcato (by Inchinor). He was bred by G B Turnbull Ltd, he is out of Latanazul (by Sakhee) and he is a half-brother to the mile winner Artlana (by Dutch Art). He is a direct descendant of the Group 1 scorer Desirable (by Lord Gayle) and so comes from the family of Group 1 stars such as Park Appeal (by Ahonoora), Cape Cross (by Green Desert), Alydaress (by Alydaress), Shadayid (by Shadeed), Russian Rhythm (by Kingmambo), Hot Snitzel (by Snitzel) and Diktat (by Warning).

  • Flemenstar won the Grade 1 Paddy Power “So Quick, So Easy iPhone App” Chase over two miles, one furlong at Leopardstown, a first win in over two years for the now four-times Grade 1 scorer. The 10-year-old son of Beeches Stud stallion Flemensfirth (by Alleged) is now trained by Anthony Curran, he was bred by Donal Barnwell, and he is a full-brother to the blacktype placed three-miler Barafundle. His dam Different Dee (by Beau Sher) comes from a branch of the family of the top-class Carvill's Hill (by Roselier).

  • Sprinter Sacre gamely beat Sire De Grugy to take the Grade 2 williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase over two miles at Kempton. The brilliant nine-year-old is a son of Network (by Monsun), who will be standing at Haras d'Enki in 2016. He is trained by Nicky Henderson, he was bred in France by Christophe Masle, and his dam Fatima III (by Bayolidaan) is a half-sister to the multiple hurdles and chase scorer Gazump (by Iris Noir).

  • Ar Mad won the Grade 2 williamhill.com Novices' Chase (registered as the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase) over two miles at Kempton, taking his record over fences to three wins from four starts. The Gary Moore-trained five-year-old was bred in France by Michel Le Meur and he is a son of the Vauterhill Stud stallion Tiger Groom (by Arazi). He is out of Omelia (by April Night) and so is a half-brother to the blacktype-placed juvenile hurder Calett Mad (by Axxos). It is an AQPS pedigree.

  • Outlander made it two from two over the larger obstacles when taking the Grade 2 Shannon Airport Novice Chase over two miles, three furlongs, 120 yards at Limerick. The Willie Mullins-trained son of late Whytemount Stud stallion Stowaway (by Slip Anchor) was bred by Ronnie O'Neill. He is out of Western Whisper (by Supreme Leader) and so is a full-brother to the Grade 2 scorer Western Leader and also to the listed chase winner Mart Lane.

    I reviewed Outlander's pedigree in detail in the 31st January 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Minella Foru won the Grade B Paddy Power Chase (Handicap) over three miles, 100 yards at Leopardstown, a first blacktype success over fences for the six-year-old son of the late Ballylinch Stud sire King's Theatre (by Sadler's Wells). The Eddie Harty-trained gelding was a Grade 3 scorer over hurdles. He was bred by Louis Vambeck, he is a half-brother to the bumper and triple hurdles scorer Minella Hero (by Old Vic), and his dam Shannon Rose (by Topanoora) is a bumper-winning half-sister to the blacktype placed multiple hurdles scorer Mrs Wallensky (by Roselier).

  • Pairofbrowneyes won the Grade B Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase over two miles, three furlongs, 120 yards at Limerick, a first blacktype success for the six-year-old son of Luso (by Salse). This was his first run for the Enniscorthy-based Barry Murphy stable. He was bred by Raymond McDonnell, he is out of Frankly Native (by Be My Native) and he is a half-brother to the Grade 2-winning chaser Master Of The Hall (by Saddlers' Hall).

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    SATURDAY

  • Cue Card got up on the line to take the Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase over three miles at Kempton, a sixth win at the highest level for the Colin Tizzard-trained nine-year-old. He was bred by Roland Crelin, he is a son of the late Ballylinch Stud stallion King's Theatre (by Sadler's Wells), and he is a €52,000 graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. His dam Wicked Crack (by King's Ride) is a blacktype-placed half-sister to the Sun Alliance Chase third What's The Crack (by The Parson).

    I reviewed Cue Card's pedigree in detail in the 28th November 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Faugheen easily beat The New One by seven lengths to take the Grade 1 williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle over two miles at Kempton, a seventh win at the highest level for the brilliant won of the late Woodlands Stud stallion Germany (by Trempolino). The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was bred by Dr John Waldon, he is a €12,000 graduate of the Goffs Landrover Sale, and his dam Miss Pickering (by Accordion) comes from a branch of the family of the high-class performers Rocky Creek (by Dr Massini) and Tell Massini (by Dr Massini).

    I reviewed Faugheen's pedigree in detail in the 14th March 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Tea For Two maintained his unbeaten record over fences with victory in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase (in memory of Nigel Clark) (formerly the Feltham Novices Chase) over three miles at Kempton. The Nick Williams-trained six-year-old was bred by Mrs P G Lewin, and he is a son of the Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells). His siblings include the four-times hurdles winner Katchmore (by Catcher In The Rye) and his dam, One For Me (by Tragic Role) won five times over the smaller obstacles. It is a family whose winners include the multiple flat stakes placed filly Brentwood (by Waajib).

  • Douvan justified odds-on favouritism in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase over two miles, one furlong at Leopardstown. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old, who is now unbeaten in six starts in Ireland, is a son of the Derby runner-up Walk In The Park (by Montjeu). He was bred in France by SARL Haras de la Faisanderie, he is out of Star Face (by Saint Des Saints) and he comes from the family of the Grade 3 winner and successful National Hunt stallion Discover D'Auteuil (by Mistigri).

    I reviewed Douvan's pedigree in detail in the 17th January 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Apple's Jade made it two from two when springing a 12/1 surprise in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown. The Willie Mullins-trained three-year-old was bred in France by R Coveliers, she is a daughter of the Haras de Cercy stallion Saddler Maker (by Sadler's Wells), and her dam Apple's For Ever (by Nikos) is a multiple winning full-sister to the hurdles and chase scorer Apple's Andrea.