Navan 17 11 24 Better Days Ahead and Jack Kennedy win for trainer Gordon Elliott Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
The weekend's action was packed with high-class performances from a number of horses likely to be heading to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Each week we will bring you the latest Cheltenham Festival market movers with BoyleSports.
The Yellow Clay 12/1 from 20/1
Won the John Lynch Carpets Monksfield Novice Hdl (Grade 3) by ten lengths at Navan. Tracked the leaders, 4th halfway, made a slight mistake 2 out but was shaken up briefly to close. Travelled well before last, soon ridden to lead and kept on strongly run-in.
Trainer quote: "He's a nice horse and has always done everything well at home. I loved the way when he made the mistake at the second last, he (Kennedy) squeezed him and he let him back on to the bridle: I’d say he is a nice horse. I thought it was a good performance, he quickened away from them. He has a great attitude and a great way of racing, he is so laid-back. You'd imagine we would go to the Lawlor's now (Grade 1 at Naas in January)." Gordon Elliott
Potters Charm 14/1 from 33/1
Won the Albert Bartlett Novices‘ Hurdle (Grade 2) at Cheltenham by 11 lengths. Pressed the leader and led narrowly from 2 out, came clear turning in and stayed on strongly. A very impressive performance.
Assistant trainer quote: “We’ve won a novice, won a novice here and now a Grade Two, he’s proved he’s a Festival horse. He doesn’t seem to have had the hardest race, but maybe that is his talent speaking.
“When you put a 140-rated horse away so easily like that you can’t help but be impressed. I feel a bit vindicated as he doesn’t show the most at home, but when he comes to the track he lights up. He’s come in and he’s not blowing." Willy Twiston-Davies
Potters Charm 14/1 from 25/1
The Yellow Clay 14/1 from 20/1
Bleu De Vassy 20/1 from 50/1
Won the Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) at Navan by 5 lengths. Tracked the leader in 2nd and led travelling well 2 out. Went clear before the last and stayed on strongly, winning easily.
Trainer quote: "I was impressed with him in Fairyhouse, but we weren’t sure how good a race it was. You have to be impressed with what he did there. . Jack said he didn’t mind that ground. We were running him last year on heavy ground and I couldn’t understand why he was getting beaten. I was disappointed in a few bumpers last year. Maybe he doesn’t want it as soft as that. I’d say he is a good horse and he looks nice. He travels with a lot of pace." Gordon Elliott
East India Dock 8/1 from 25/1
Won the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) at Cheltenham. Raced handy and went 2nd after 4 out. Pressed the leader 3 out, shaken up and led before the last, soon in command, pushed out and stretched well clear.
Trainer quote: "I knew the staying track would suit as all he does is stay this horse, but he’s got a lot of class so he’s really exciting.
“I’ve no plan as where to go next but all roads lead to the Triumph, but he might just have the one more run before then." James Owen
L’eau Du Sud 11/1 from 33/1
Won the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices‘ Chase (Grade 2) at Cheltenham. Tracked the leaders and travelled strongly. Led approaching 2 out and asserted before the last, drawing clear on the bridle on the run-in and cantered home.
Trainer quote: “We’ve got one tick in the box, I’m sure others will come out and do the same, we’ll go to Sandown now (Henry VIII) where he’ll try to prove he’s the best two-mile novice chaser in the UK. I’m sure Nicky (Henderson) will have something to say about that with one or two and so will Paul (Nicholls), but I’d be confident enough to say there’s a level to come up to with them, it’s impressive to go and do that around here.” Dan Skelton
Home By The Lee 16/1 from 33/1
Won the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) at Navan. Tracked the leaders, disputed 2nd from 4th and made headway, travelling well to lead entering straight, ridden after 2 out, clear at the last and stayed on well.
Trainer quote:"He ran well in the race the last couple of years and he was a good bit better off at the weights this year. It is very much his first run of the year, but I thought he really went through the race well and jumped well. Danny was impressed with him. I couldn't be happier. We always keep him fresh, so we will wait for Christmas (Hurdle at Leopardstown) now and then he will go from Christmas to Cheltenham. His path kind of plots itself." Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Better Days Ahead 14/1 from 20/1
Won the Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase at Navan. Led, made a mistake at the 4th, pressed entering straight and jumped slightly left 3 out. Ridden and jumped left 2 out and asserted before the last where he jumped left again. Kept on well on the run-in.
Trainer quote: "We bought him off Warren Ewing a couple of years ago and bought him to be a big chaser. He looks like a chaser. It has been a slow burner to where we are getting with these horses. Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) are massive supporters of Cullentra and they have invested a lot of money in racing. They are getting their dividends now. It takes time to get where we are and to get winners for them in Navan, their local track, is like a dream come true. I’m absolutely delighted for them and this is a special weekend. Obviously, he is entered in the Drinmore — that might just come a bit too soon. We will look at something probably around Christmas. He is a Martin Pipe winner and it is a race that good horses come out of." Gordon Elliott
Doyen Quest 7/2 from 10/1
Gaelic Warrior 11/4 from 9/2
Galopin Des Champs 7/1 from 10/1
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