SUNDAY

  • Sambremont won the Grade 2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase over two miles, one furlong at Navan, a first blacktype success for the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old. Bred in France by Richard Corveller, the gelding is a son of Haras d'Etreham stallion Saint Des Saints (by Cadoudal) and he is out of Rainbow Crest (by Baryshnikov).

    I discussed the pedigree in detail when reviewing his Grade 1-winning full-brother Djakadam in the 12th December 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Snow Falcon beat two rivals to take the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle over two miles, five furlongs at Navan. It is a first blacktype success for the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old, a Presenting (by Mtoto) gelding bred by Sean Gorman. He is the first foal out of Flocon De Neige (by Kahyasi) who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Lina Drop (by Trempolino) and out of Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle heroine Snow Drop (by Double Bed).

  • Measureofmydreams was a somewhat lucky winner of the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase over three miles at Navan. Now two-from-two over fences, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old was bred by Richard Keane, he is a son of Burgage Stud stallion Shantou (by Alleged) and he is out of Le Bavellen (by Le Bavard). His siblings include the Grade 2-winning chaser Lord Who (by Mister Lord).

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    SATURDAY

  • Smashing recorded an odds-on success in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase over two and a half miles at Gowran Park, a third consecutive win for the Grade 1-placed seven-year-old. Bred by Jacques Seror and trained by Henry De Bromhead, the French-born gelding is a son of the late Haras des Sablonnets stallion Smadoun (by Kaldoun). He is a half-brother to a middle-distance flat winner, his dam Faragreen (by Green Tune) won on the flat and over hurdles, and she is a full-sister to the triple chase scorer Forest Green who was listed-placed over hurdles.

  • Sempre Medici, 1/8 winner of a Grade 3 contest at Navan last month, followed-up with a 2/7 success in the Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle over two mile at Gowran Park. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, who was bred by the partnership of Miriam Bollack-Badel, Noel Forgeard and Haras de Pierrepont, is a son of the Cheveley Park Stud stallion Medicean (by Machiavellian). His dam Sambala (by Danehill Dancer) comes from the famous family whose array of Group 1 stars includes Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells), El Gran Senor (by Northern Dancer), Rags To Riches (by A.P. Indy), Redoute's Choice (by Danehill) and Spinning World (by Nureyev).

    I reviewed Sempre Medici's pedigree in detail in the 23rd January 2016 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Houblon Des Obeaux won the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase over two miles, seven and a half furlongs at Newbury, a first victory for the multiple graded scorer since a listed success at Ascot nearly 26 months ago. The Venetia Williams-trained nine-year-old was bred in France by Marie Devilder and Benjamin Devilder, he is a son of the late Panoramic (by Rainbow Quest), and his dam Harkosa (by Nikos) is a winning half-sister to the Grade 1 Feltham Novices' Chase scorer Ungaro (by Epervier Bleu).

  • Top Gamble justified favouritism when beating Dodging Bullets by 10 lengths in the Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Chase (registered as the Game Spirit Chase) over two miles, 92 yards at Newbury, a second win at that level for the Kerry Lee-trained eight-year-old. The son of Glenview Stud's multiple champion sire Presenting (by Mtoto) was bred by J D Cantillon, he is out of Zeferina (by Sadler's Wells) and is a half-brother to the talented dual-purpose gelding Zimbabwe (by Kahyasi). His dam is a half-sister to the Group 3 scorer Emily Bronte (by Machiavellian).

  • Violet Dancer created something of a shock when, as the outsider of three, he beat the 1/5 favourite L'Ami Serge by 11 lengths to take the Grade 2 7bets4free.com Kingmaker Novices' Chase over two miles at Warwick. Winner of the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle last year, the Gary Moore-trained six-year-old has won four of his five starts over fences this season. He is a son of the sprint stallion Bertolini (by Danzig), he is a half-brother to the blacktype-placed hurdler and dual chase scorer Chris Pea Green (by Proclamation), and a full-brother to the stakes-placed prolific sprinter Smokey Ryder. His dam Another Secret (by Efisio) is related to the Group 1 stars First Trump (by Primo Dominie) and Mr Brooks (by Blazing Saddles).

    I reviewed Violet Dancer's pedigree in detail in the 14th February 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Agrapart sprang a 16/1 surprise in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle over the extended two miles at Newbury, a first blacktype success for the Nick Williams-trained five-year-old. He is a son of the Haras de la Reboursiere et de Montaigu stallion Martaline (by Linamix), he was bred by Jean-Marc Lucas and he is out of Afragha (by Darshaan). His successful siblings include dual Grade 2-winning hurdler Afsoun (by Kahyasi) and Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle runner-up Afrad (by Linamix).