SUNDAY

  • Felix Yonger won the Grade 2 BoyleSports Tied Cottage Chase over two miles at Punchestown, a seventh graded success in the career of the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old. Bred by John Brophy, the son of Grange Stud stallion Oscar (by Sadler's Wells) is out of Marble Sound (by Be My Native) and so is a half-brother to the blacktype-placed mare My Valley (by Saddlers' Hall).

    I reviewed Felix Yonger's pedigree in detail in the 13th December 2014 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Bonny Kate won the Grade C racinguk.com/freetrial Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over three and a half miles at Punchestown, a first blacktype success for the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old. Bred by Robert Guiry, the daughter of late Knockhouse Stud stallion Beneficial (by Top Ville) is out of Peppardstown (by Old Vic), which makes her a full-sister to the dual Grade 2-winning hurdler Mala Beach. Her dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed chaser Aztec Warrior (by Taipan) and comes from the family of Monbeg Dude (by Witness Box).

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    SATURDAY

  • Smad Place continued his march towards the top with a 12-length victory in the Grade 2 BetBright Trial Chase over three miles, one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham. The 168-rated grey was bred by Eric and Maryse Aubree, he is trained by Alan King, and he is a son of the late Smadoun (by Kaldoun). He is a half-brother to a French flat winner and his dam is the dual French chase scorer Bienna Star (by Village Star).

  • Thistlecrack easily won the Grade 2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham, a fourth blacktype success for the dual Grade 1 star. Bred by Robin and Scarlett Knipe, and trained by Colin Tizzard, the eight-year-old is a son of Overbury Stud stallion Kayf Tara (by Sadler's Wells). He is a half-brother to last month's Grade 2-placed novice hurdler West Approach (by Westerner) and his dam is the successful staying chaser Ardstown (by Ardross).

  • Protek Des Flos made it two from two since joining the Nicky Henderson stable, winning the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (Juvenile Hurdle) (registered as the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) over two miles, one furlong at Cheltenham. Bred in France by Clovis and Florence Bardin, the gelding is a son of the multiple middle-distance pattern scorer Protektor (by Acatenango), he is out of Flore De Chantenay (by Smadoun) and he is a half-brother to the French chase winner Saint Des Flos (by Saint Des Saints).

  • Yanworth is now unbeaten in four starts over obstacles following his seven-length success in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (registered as Classic Novices' Hurdle) over two miles, four and a half furlongs at Cheltenham. The Alan King-trained six-year-old is a son of Yorton Farm Stud stallion Norse Dancer (by Halling), his siblings include the prolific Grand Lahou (by Cyborg), and his dam Yota (by Galetto) is a winning half-sister to the blacktype scorers Juntico (by Robin Des Champs) and Azulejo (by Pistolet Bleu).

  • Vaniteux made it two from three over fences with victory in the Grade 2 grand-national2016.co.uk Lightning Novices' Chase over two miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, who was bred in France by Jacques Cypres, is another advertisement for the Group 1 winner and late Haras de Cercy stallion Voix Du Nord (by Valanour). He is a half-brother to several winners and his dam Expoville (by Video Rock) is a blacktype-placed half-sister to the listed chase scorers Bilbao V (by Bad Conduct) and Alcaloide (by Maiymad).

  • Smart Talk, a listed winner at Haydock in December, gave her future paddocks value another boost when taking the Grade 2 OLBG.com Mares' Hurdle (registered as Doncaster Mares' Hurdle) over two miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. The Brian Ellison-trained six-year-old was bred by Roland Rothwell, she is a daughter of Hubbly Bubbly (by Mr Prospector), and she is a full-sister to the Grade 1 SunAlliance Chase runner-up Idle Talk. Her dam Belon Breeze (by Strong Gale) is out of the triple chase scorer Belon Brig (by New Brig).

  • Barters Hill extended his unbeaten record to seven with an odds-on success in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (registered as River Don Novices' Hurdle) over three miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. That tally includes four bumpers. The Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old was bred by Lady Jennifer Fowler, he is a son of Boardsmill Stud stallion Kalanisi (by Doyoun) and his dam Circle The Wagons (by Commanche Run) is a half-sister to the Grade 1 Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle winner Fundamentalist (by Supreme Leader).

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

  • Annacotty won the Grade 3 freebets.com Trophy Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham, a fourth graded success for the Alan King-trained son of late Knockhouse Stud flag bearer Beneficial (by Top Ville). He was bred by Patrick Crotty Jnr and his hurdles-winning dam Mini Moo Min (by Ardross) is out of Mulloch Brae (by Sunyboy), a high-class chaser and full-sister to Bigsun.

    I reviewed Annacotty's pedigree in detail in the 4th January 2014 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Limini made it two from two under National Hunt rules when taking the Grade 3 Coolmore NH Sires Mares Novice Hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Fairyhouse. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was bred by Sir Edmund Loder and she reeled off a middle-distance hat-trick on the flat last summer. She is by the Group 1 flat sire Peintre Celebre (by Nureyev) and her dam Her Grace (by Spectrum) is a half-sister to the Group 1 Irish Oaks heroine Vintage Tipple (by Entrepreneur). It is also the family of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup hero Vintage Crop (by Rousillon).