Cheltenham tilt on the cards for Opera Hat winner Pravalaguna

In the words of winning rider Paul Townend "she made two mistakes there but on the whole she jumped very well" as Pravalaguna (8/13) lived up to her pre-race billing in the Listed BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase.

This Naas feature saw Townend move on to the 82 winner mark for the campaign, 7 clear of Rachael Blackmore, after Pravalaguna made just about all for Willie Mullins.

The daughter of Great Pretender was clipped into 25/1 from 33/1 for the Arkle Chase by Paddy Power, after she easily disposed of Baie Des Iles here by fourteen lengths.

“It was a nice performance. The mistake seemed to wake her up and she galloped on away at the end so she can go two or two-and-a-half, I'd have no trouble going an extra half mile with her again,” said Mullins.

“The Arkle is a possibility. I know the connections would like to have a runner at Cheltenham, no more than myself. She's also in the JLT so both are a possibility.

“We didn't think she would survive her fall in Auteuil (June 2017). She's made a great recovery and has won her last couple of races now.”

The Stewards interviewed L.P. Dempsey, rider of Teacher's Pet concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that L.P. Dempsey was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards cautioned L.P. Dempsey.

(GC & EM)