SUNDAY

  • Nichols Canyon created something of a shock when ending the unbeaten record of his stable companion and reigning champion hurdler Faugheen in the Grade 1 stanjames.com Morgiana Hurdle over two miles at Punchestown. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old, a son of Derby hero and Haras du Logis stallion Authorized (by Montjeu), was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd. This is his fifth win at the highest level. A half-brother to the stakes-placed filly Bright Approach (by New Approach), his dam Zam Zoom (by Dalakhani) comes from the family of the Group 1 stars Luso (by Salse) and Warrsan (by Caerleon).

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

  • Sizing John made it two from two over fences with victory in the Grade 2 Ryans Cleaning Craddockstown Novice Chase over two miles at Punchestown. The Henry De Bromhead-trained five-year-old, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles last year, is a son of the Pitchall Farm stallion Midnight Legend (by Night Shift). He was bred by the partnership of Bryan and Sandra Mayoh and Eskdale Stud, he was a €16,000 foal in Fairyhouse, and he is a half-brother to the blacktype-placed hurdler Scholastica (by Old Vic). His multiple hurdles-winning dam La Perrotine (by Northern Crystal) comes from the immediate family of the Group 1 Derby Italiano scorer Houmayoun (by Shernazar).

    Sizing John's pedigree was reviewed in detail in the 3rd January 2015 edition of The Irish Field.

  • Shantou Flyer notched up his first blacktype success when taking the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase over two miles, six furlongs at Punchestown. The Colin Bowe-trained five-year-old, who was bred by Tom McCarthy, is a €28,000 Goffs Landrover NH Sale graduate and he is a son of the classic-winning Burgage Stud stallion Shantou (by Alleged). He is out of Carrigmorna Flyer (by Bob Back) and so is a half-brother to the recent blacktype-winning hurdler Mrs Mac Veale (by Karinga Bay), to the Grade 3 hurdles scorer Carrigmoorna Rock (by King's Theatre), and to the Grade 3-placed multiple winner Carrigmorna King (by King's Theatre).

  • The brilliant Sprinter Sacre made a winning return to action in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase (registered as the Cheltenham Chase) over two miles at Cheltenham, a tenth graded success for the seven-times Grade 1 star. Trained by Nicky Henderson and bred by Christophe Masle, the nine-year-old is a son of Haras de Cercy La Tour stallion Network (by Monsun), he is the best of the winners out of Fatima III (by Bayolidaan), and his dam is a half-sister to the multiple hurdles and chase scorer Gazump (by Iris Noir).

  • Altior extended his unbeaten record over obstacles to three with victory in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Sharp Novices' Hurdle Race) over the extended two miles at Cheltenham. The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old was bred by Paddy Behan, he is a €60,000 graduate of the Goffs Landrover NH Sale, and he is a son of the late classic and Breeders' Cup hero High Chaparral (by Sadler's Wells). He is a half-brother to the Grade B-winning hurdler Princess Leya (by Old Vic) and his dam Monte Solaro (by Key Of Luck) is a Grade C-winning hurdler from the family of the talented flat horses Crosspeace (by Cape Cross), Nomination (by Dominion), and Decent Fellow (by Rarity).

  • Garde La Victoire won the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase over a few yards short of two miles at Cheltenham, his second win from two starts over fences. The Philip Hobbs-trained son of Haras de la Hetraie stallion Kapgarde (by Garde Royale) was bred by Laure Godet. He is out of Next Victory (by Akarad), is a half-brother to the multiple flat scorer Next Lord (by Lord Of Men), and he comes from the family of several flat stakes winners.

  • Old Guard won the Grade 3 stanjames.com Greatwood Hurdle over the extended two miles at Cheltenham, a first blacktype success for the Paul Nicholls-trained son of Knockhouse Stud stallion Notnowcato (by Inchinor). The four-year-old was bred by Lord Rothschild, he is out the speedy flat stakes winner Dolma (by Marchand De Sable), and his siblings include the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Thistle Bird (by Selkirk).

  • Damut won the Grade C Ticket Sales Online Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Cork, a first blacktype success for the Joe Dullea-trained son of Rosshill Farm stallion Gamut (by Spectrum). Bred by Edmond Cogan, the seven-year-old is out of Society Hunter (by Moscow Society), an unraced mare from a branch of the family of Gaye Brief (by Lucky Brief), Gaye Chance (by Lucky Brief), Simon (by Overbury), Oulart (by Sabrehill), Kingsmark (by Roselier), and many others of note.

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    SATURDAY

  • Wolf Of Windlesham made it two from two over obstacles when taking the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (registered as the Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle Race) over two miles, 87 yards at Cheltenham. A son of Coolmore Stud's classic sire Mastercraftsman (by Danehill Dancer), the Stuart Edmunds-trained three-year-old was bred by Joe and Edel Banahan. He is a half-brother to the 12 furlong Hong Kong blacktype scorer Fat Choy Ichiban (by Intikhab) and his dam Al Amlah (by Riverman) is a half-sister to Group 1 1000 Guineas heroine Harayir (by Gulch). His third dam is Group 1 Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks (by Relko).

  • Annacotty won the Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase over the extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham, the most valuable race on the card. It is a third blacktype success for the Grade 1-winning son of late Knockhouse Stud stallion Beneficial (by Top Ville). It was his first run for the Alan King stable. The seven-year-old was bred by Patrick Crotty Jnr, he is a half-brother to two winners and his hurdles-winning dam Mini Moo Min (by Ardross) is out of Mulloch Brae (by Sunyboy), a talented chaser and full-sister to Bigsun.

  • Sausalito Sunrise won the Grade 3 Murphy Group Handicap Chase over three miles, three furlongs, 71 yards at Cheltenham, a first blacktype success for the Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old. Bred by Thomas Corish, the €7,000 Goffs June NH Sale graduate is a son of the late Gold Well (by Sadler's Wells). His dam Villaflor (by Religiously) is a half-sister to the prolific pair Aller Moor (by Dry Dock) and An Bonnan Bui (by Riverhead), and his grandam is the dual Ulster Cesarewitch heroine Boggy Peak (by Shirley Heights).

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    FRIDAY

  • Shantou Village extended his unbeaten record to three with a 15-length success in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Hyde Novices' Hurdle) over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham. The five-year-old was bred by Mary Griffin, he is trailed by Neil Mulholland, and he is a son of the classic-winning Burgage Stud stallion Shantou (by Alleged). He is the first foal out of Village Queen (by King's Theatre), his younger half-brother Bun Doran made a winning debut in a Chepstow bumper nine days ago, and his third dam is the classic-placed Gharam (by Green Dancer).

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    THURSDAY

  • Road To Riches justified odds-on favouritism with a six length success in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase over two and a half miles. The Noel Meade-trained eight-year-old, who was bred by Sunnyhill Stud, is a son of Rosshill Farm stallion Gamut (by Spectrum). His unraced dam Bellora (by Over The River) is a full-sister to the high-class chaser Sullane River.

  • Vroum Vroum Mag extended her unbeaten record over fences to six with an easy win the Grade 3 European Breeders Fund T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase over two and a half miles at Clonmel. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was bred by Count Antoine-Audoin Maggier and Antonia Maggiar. She is an AQPS daughter of Voix Du Nord (by Valanour), she is out of Naiade Mag (by Kadalko), and her listed-placed half-sister Brise Vendeenne (by Dom Alco) was runner-up in a maiden hurdle at Musselburgh last Friday.

    Vroum Vroum Mag's pedigree was reviewed in detail in the 13 December 2014 edition of The Irish Field.