SUNDAY

  • Arctic Fire justified odds-on favouritism in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse. The Uwe Grüning-bred six-year-old is trained by Willie Mullins, he is a son of Gestut Auenquelle's classic sire Soldier Hollow (by In The Wings), his winning dam Adelma (by Sternkoenig) is related to the talented chaser Allen Voran (by Sholokhov) and also to the German champion Alkalde (by Konigsstuhl).

    I examined the pedigree of Arctic Fire in the 13th November 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • No More Heroes, who was a Grade 1-placed Grade 2-winning novice hurdler last season, took the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse. The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old was bred by Peter and Ann Downes, he is a son of Glenview Stud's multiple champion sire Presenting (by Mtoto), and he is a €57,000 graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. His dam What A Breeze (by Naheez) is a half-sister to Celestial Gold (by Persian Mews) and Fiveforthree (by Arzanni).

  • Long Dog completed a five-timer when narrowly winning the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle over two miles at Fairyhouse. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old is a son of the Knockhouse Stud stallion Notnowcato (by Inchinor), he was bred by G B Turnbull Ltd, and his winning dam Latanazul (by Sakhee) is a direct descendant of the Group 1 star and influential broodmare Desirable (by Lord Gayle).

  • Rashaan extended his unbeaten National Hunt record to three when easily winning the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle over two miles at Fairyhouse. The Colin Kidd-trained gelding was bred by the Aga Khan, he is a son of the Haras du Logis classic sire Manduro (by Monsun), and he is a half-brother to the classic-placed Group 3 scorer Rayeni (by Indian Ridge). His dam Rayyana (by Rainbow Quest) is a winning daughter of the Group 3 winner and Group 1 Irish St Leger runner-up Rayseka (by Dancing Brave).

  • Bless The Wings, a son of the late Tullyraine Stud stallion Winged Love (by In The Wings), won the Grade C Bar One Racing Porterstown Handicap Chase over three miles, five furlongs at Fairyhouse. The 10-year-old is trained by Gordon Elliott, he was bred by Christopher Kenneally, and he is a half-brother to the chase and triple hurdles scorer Flemi Two Toes (by Flemensfirth). His dam Silva Venture (by Mandalus) is related to the high-class hurdler Mysilv (by Bustino).

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    SATURDAY

  • Identity Thief, a Grade 2 winner at Down Royal last month, added the Grade 1 StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle over two miles, 98 yards at Newcastle. The five-year-old is trained by Henry De Bromhead, he was bred by Cathal Ennis, and he is a €40,000 graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. He is by the Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells), he is out of Miss Arteea (by Flemensfirth), and he is a half-brother to the recent blacktype-placed hurdler Oscarteea (by Oscar).

  • Thistlecrack, a Grade 1 winner at Aintree in April, made a winning return to action with a six-length score in the Grade 2 bet365 Long Distance Hurdle over three miles at Newbury. The Colin Tizzard-trained seven-year-old, who was bred by Robin and Scarlett Knipe, is a son of Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells). He is a half-brother to a couple of winners and his dam Ardstown (by Ardross) was a winning staying chaser and hunter chase scorer.

  • Smad Place was an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase over three and a quarter miles at Newbury. The Alan King-trained eight-year-old, who was bred by Eric Aubree and Maryse Aubree, is a son of the Haras des Sablonnets stallion Smadoun (by Kaldoun). His dam Bienna Star (by Village Star) won twice over fences in France, and although there are a few blacktype earners in the family, he may be the best horse the family has produced since his fifth dam Seria (by Norseman), the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) heroine of 1952.

  • Nearly Nama'd sprang a 40/1 surprise in the Grade B EasyFix Handicap Chase over two miles, one furlong at Fairyhouse, a first blacktype success for the Sandra Hughes-trained son of classic star and Knockhouse Stud stallion Millenary (by Rainbow Quest). The seven-year-old was bred by Prospect Stables Ltd, he is out of Coca's Wells (by Religiously), he is a half-brother to the multiple winners Well Green (by Quws) and Filbert (by Oscar), and he is the best horse in the first three generations of the pedigree.

  • Blue Hell got his first blacktype success when taking the Grade B FKM Group Supporting Temple Street Hospital Handicap Hurdle over two miles at Fairyhouse. It was also a first Irish success for the Eric Puerari-bred five-year-old since coming to Ireland. He is trained by Alan Fleming, he is a son of the talented sprint two-year-old Russian Blue (by Danehill), and his dam Art Fair (by Fairy King) comes from a branch of the family of Montjeu (by Sadler's Wells).

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    FRIDAY

  • Three Musketeers won the Grade 2 Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase (registered as the Berkshire Novices' Chase) over two and a half miles at Newbury. Last season the Dan Skelton-trained five-year-old was a Grade 1-placed, Grade 2-winning novice hurdler. He was bred by Bruce Mactaggart, he is a son of Beeches Stud stallion Flemensfirth (by Alleged), and his dam Friendly Craic (by Mister Lord) comes from the family of the Grade 1-winning chaser Strong Flow (by Over The River).

    I examined the pedigree of Three Musketeers in the 17th January 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

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    THURSDAY

  • Native River won the Grade 2 bet365 Novices' Chase (registered as the Worcester Novices' Chase) over two miles, seven and a half furlongs at Newbury. Last season the Colin Tizzard-trained five-year-old won a listed contest over hurdles. He was bred by Fred Mackey, who sold him for €6,000 in Fairyhouse as a foal, he is a son of Indian River (by Cadoudal), and his unraced dam Native Mo (by Be My Native) is out of a half-sister to the multiple blacktype scorer Minella Lad (by Buckskin).