Richebourg grabs another Leopardstown Grade 1 Le Richebourg recorded a Grade 1 double at Leopardstown when claiming the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase this afternoon. Joseph O'Brien's charge excelled when dropped back to two-miles-one at the Christmas meeting here at the Dublin track and repeated the dose today. Mark Walsh tracked the leaders into the straight on the 11/10 favourite before launching his challenge going to the final fence. He had just gained a narrow advantage at the last when rival Voix Du Reve crashed out. The hotpot came home strongly to record a seven-length success over stable-mate Us And Them. “He jumped well on the whole and when he had to clever he was. Mark gave him a lovely ride and he was very cool on him,” said O'Brien. “There was a bit of drama throughout the race. I was delighted he was able to avoid that and he put in a good round of jumping. “They went strong and fast and it tested a lot of horses' jumping. He was good an clever at the last. “Obviously he made a little mistake at the last here at Christmas and it was good to see him learn from that. “A bit of nice ground is important to him. He was a good hurdler, he was fifth in the Galway Hurdle and we were a bit disappointed with him but the form of the race has worked out unbelievably well since. “He's very exciting and I'm delighted. He's won over two-and-a-half so he can go two-and-a-half. It think he needs a strong pace and we'll stick at two for the time being. “We'll see how he comes out of it but the Arkle now would make a lot of sense. “It's going to be an even bigger test there and there'll probably go even faster. I couldn't be happier and winning a Grade 1 is massive. “Us And Them ran a cracker and he jumps well. He's an outstanding jumper and would have a chance of going to the Arkle as well. Aintree might suit him too. “We'll see how they come out of it and make a plan then.” Unibet made the winner 7/2 favourite, from 6/1, for the Arkle at Cheltenham while Paddypower are 9/2 from 13/2.
