Marine Nationale maintained his unbeaten document with a close to foot-perfect show on his debut over fences at Leopardstown.
Owned and skilled by Barry Connell, the six-year-old gained every of his two bumper begins and was three from three over hurdles final season, culminating in a superb victory within the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Pageant in March.
Encountering bigger obstacles for the primary time, having sidestepped a possible engagement at Navan final month on account of testing situations, Marine Nationale was a 1-2 shot for the Paddy Energy From The Horses Mouth Podcast Newbies Chase and those that took the cramped odds could have had few issues at some stage in the two-mile-one-furlong contest.
Michael O’Sullivan’s mount raced zestfully on the entrance finish from the drop of the flag and was notably spectacular within the leaping division.
The market chief was nonetheless arduous on the bridle turning for dwelling and one other daring leap on the remaining impediment put the seal on a cushty eight-and-a-half-length victory over Agency Footings.
“I didn’t enjoy watching it at all. Last year we were coming in under the radar and this year we are favourite for the Arkle and expected to win,” stated Connell.
“It is a horse race and something can go mistaken, however the way in which he jumped right this moment he is vindicated what we have now seen from his education – he is an absolute pure.
“He’s only three-quarters fit today and Michael said he gave a little bit of a blow. He was a little gassy early on, but you couldn’t ask for any more than that.
“The bottom is described as delicate, however there’s a backside to it. He goes on each floor, however most likely would not like heavy floor. He is simply class with a brilliant engine.”
Dinoblue powers to Paddy Power victory
Dinoblue led home a one-two-three for trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown.
A field of five runners went to post for the Grade One contest, with Henry de Bromhead’s 6-4 favourite Captain Guinness the only outlier in an otherwise Closutton dominated line-up.
It was clear from a long way out that it was going to be a clean sweep for the champion trainer, with the market leader never able to get to grips with a strong pace and eventually pulled up by Rachael Blackmore in the back straight.
Gentleman De Mee was deployed in a front-running role, but he was a sitting duck at the top of the home straight, as stablemate Dinoblue moved into his slipstream under a motionless Mark Walsh.
As soon as given her head, the 9-4 shot quickly pulled away and safely negotiated the ultimate fence to attain by seven and a half lengths.
Saint Roi was third, with the opposite Mullins runner Dysart Dynamo falling on the final.
“Gentleman De Mee set a great pace in front and jumped fantastic. I wondered at one stage would she (Dinoblue) be able to stay jumping with him but she held her jumping together,” stated the coach.
“When he took a blow, she kept galloping and she is improving all the time. I’m very happy with that.”
Caldwell Potter a Future Champion within the making
Caldwell Potter dented some lofty reputations with victory within the Paddy Energy Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Grade One contest has been gained by an entire host of top-class performers lately, with Sizing John (2014), Recognize It (2020) and Caldwell Potter’s ill-fated sibling Mighty Potter (2021) amongst these on the roll of honour.
One other high quality renewal was in prospect, with Daddy Lengthy Legs, fellow Willie Mullins consultant Predators Gold and Gordon Elliott’s Down Reminiscence Lane all defending unbeaten information, but it surely was the latter coach’s obvious second string who claimed prime honours beneath Jack Kennedy.
A 6-1 shot following a cushty victory at Navan on his most up-to-date outing, Caldwell Potter took over from long-time chief Westport Cove leaving the again straight, with the supposed larger weapons ready within the wings.
Nevertheless, Predators Gold was the one horse capable of go along with Elliott’s gray turning for dwelling and with a foul mistake on the remaining flight finally ending his problem, Caldwell Potter was properly on prime as he handed the publish with six and a half lengths in hand.
Down Reminiscence Lane was a good distance again in third, with Daddy Lengthy Legs disappointingly pulled up.