SUNDAY

  • Djakadam justified favouritism with a 12-length score in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase over two and a half miles, a first win at the highest level for the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old. Bred in France by Richard Corveller, he is a son of the Haras d'Etreham stallion Saint Des Saints (by Cadoudal) and his dam, Rainbow Crest (by Baryshnikov), is a half-sister to several winners, including the Grade 2-winning French chaser Sun Storm (by Subotica).

  • Al Ferof won the Grade 2 Betfred Peterborough Chase over two and a half miles at Huntingdon, an eighth graded success for the now Dan Skelton-trained grey. The 10-year-old was bred by Jacky Rauch and Gerard Chenu, he is a son of the late Dom Alco (by Dom Pasquini), and his dam Maralta (by Altayan) is also responsible for the listed-placed mare Ardissone (by Martaline).

    • -----

    SATURDAY

  • Sire De Grugy won the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, a fifth Grade 1 victory for the ace two-mile chaser. The Gary Moore-trained nine-year-old was bred in France, by La Grugerie. He is by the Haras du Grand Chesnaie stallion My Risk (by Take Risks), his siblings include the prolific Magot De Grugy (by Tzar Rodney), and his dam Hirlish (by Passing Sale) is an unraced half-sister to the multiple blacktype placed Orlando Magic (by Assessor).

  • Ar Mad made it two from three over fences with victory in the Grade 1 Racing Post Henry VIII Novices' Chase over a few yards short of two miles at Sandown. The five-year-old son of Vauterhill Stud stallion Tiger Groom (by Arazi) is trained by Gary Moore, he was bred in France by Michel Le Meur, and he is out of the winning chaser Omelia (by April Night). His three-year-old half-brother Calett Mad (by Axxos) was third in a listed handicap hurdle at Auteuil late last month. It is an AQPS family.

  • Highland Lodge sprang a 20/1 surprise in the Grade 3 Betfred Becher Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles at Aintree, a first blacktype success for the James Moffatt-trained nine-year-old. A son of Beeches Stud stallion Flemensfirth (by Alleged), he was bred by Margaret Treacy, he made €47,000 in Fairyhouse as a foal, and he is a full-brother to the Emma Lavelle-trained Closing Ceremony who won a Grade 2 contest over hurdles at Haydock in February. His dam Supreme Von Pres (by Presenting) is a half-sister to Rev It Up (by Revoque) and Woodys Deep Ocean (by Be My Native), both of whom were Grade 2-placed over hurdles.