Marine Nationale maintained his unbeaten report with a close to foot-perfect show on his debut over fences at Leopardstown.
Owned and skilled by Barry Connell, the six-year-old received 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 Competition in March.
Encountering bigger obstacles for the primary time, having sidestepped a possible engagement at Navan final month on account of testing circumstances, Marine Nationale was a 1-2 shot for the Paddy Energy From The Horses Mouth Podcast Novices Chase and those that took the cramped odds may 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 closing impediment put the seal on a cushty eight-and-a-half-length victory over Agency Footings.
“I did not get pleasure from watching it in any respect. Final yr we had been coming in beneath the radar and this yr we’re favorite for the Arkle and anticipated to win,” stated Connell.
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Michael O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale after profitable the Bar One Novice Hurdle
“It is a horse race and something can go unsuitable, however the way in which he jumped as we speak he is vindicated what we’ve seen from his education – he is an absolute pure.
“He is solely three-quarters match as we speak and Michael stated he gave somewhat little bit of a blow. He was somewhat gassy early on, however you could not ask for any greater than that.
“The bottom is described as delicate, however there’s a backside to it. He goes on each floor, however in all probability would not like heavy floor. He is simply class with a brilliant engine.”
Dinoblue powers to Paddy Energy victory
Dinoblue led dwelling a one-two-three for coach Willie Mullins and proprietor JP McManus within the Paddy’s Rewards Membership Chase at Leopardstown.
A subject of 5 runners went to submit for the Grade One contest, with Henry de Bromhead’s 6-4 favorite Captain Guinness the one outlier in an in any other case Closutton dominated line-up.
It was clear from a good distance out that it was going to be a clear sweep for the champion coach, with the market chief by no means capable of become familiar with a robust tempo and finally pulled up by Rachael Blackmore within the again straight.
Gentleman De Mee was deployed in a front-running function, however he was a sitting duck on the prime of the house straight, as stablemate Dinoblue moved into his slipstream beneath a immobile Mark Walsh.
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Dinoblue and Mark Walsh win at Leopardstown
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 fantastic tempo in entrance and jumped improbable. I questioned at one stage would she (Dinoblue) be capable to keep leaping with him however she held her leaping collectively,” stated the coach.
“When he took a blow, she saved galloping and she or he is bettering on a regular basis. I am very pleased 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 received by an entire host of top-class performers lately, with Sizing John (2014), Respect 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 data, however it 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.
Nonetheless, Predators Gold was the one horse capable of go together with Elliott’s gray turning for dwelling and with a nasty mistake on the closing flight finally ending his problem, Caldwell Potter was effectively on prime as he handed the submit 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.