Chacun Pour Soi steps into the unknown at Thurles

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Chacun Pour Soi is the star attraction at Thurles on Sunday as the top-class chaser steps up in trip for the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase.

The Willie Mullins-trained veteran has won six Grade Ones at or around two miles, including the last three renewals of the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival.

But having proved no match for Champion Chase-winning stablemate Energumene at Punchestown in the spring or Blue Lord at Leopardstown last month, connections of Chacun Pour Soi feel the time is right to try something new and he tests the water over two and a half miles in this weekend’s Grade Two feature.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “There’s been weaker Grade Ones run – it looks a very strong race. Fakir D’Oudairies is obviously one of the top two-and-a-half-mile horses.

Paul Townend celebrates after winning aboard Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown
Paul Townend celebrates after winning aboard Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown (Niall Carson/PA)

“Chacun hasn’t always been the strongest of finishers over two miles, but going a half-stride slower will hopefully help him see the trip out.

“He’s just getting older now and there’s some faster horses in the two-mile division, so we’re seeing if we can push him out in trip and we’ll see what happens.

“He’s been an incredible horse, but time waits for no one, especially in the two-mile division as horses don’t get quicker as they get older.

“This will tell us where we’re going to go for the rest of the season.”

Chacun Pour Soi is set to face five rivals, including two other Closutton inmates in Royal Rendezvous and Haut En Couleurs.

Royal Rendezvous after winning the Galway Plate
Royal Rendezvous after winning the Galway Plate (Niall Carson/PA)

Royal Rendezvous steps back in distance after finishing last of seven over three miles in last month’s Savills Chase, while Haut En Couleurs was last seen placing fourth behind another Mullins superstar Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Mullins added: “Royal Rendezvous was coming off a break in the Savills. He’s got a very high mark as he’s a Galway Plate winner, I think he’ll come forward from that run and I’d imagine he’ll probably come forward from this run as well.

“Haut En Couleurs is getting plenty of weight, but on his rating he needs to. We’re hoping he’ll pick up some prize-money and run well again.”

The biggest threat to the Mullins brigade appears to be Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’Oudairies.

The eight-year-old has won four Grade Ones at the distance, was second in this race last year to the Mullins-trained Allaho and was best of the rest behind Galopin Des Champs last month.

The Mouse Morris-trained French Dynamite and Lifetime Ambition from Jessica Harrington’s yard complete the line-up.

Allegorie De Vassy takes next step on Festival trail

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Allegorie De Vassy bids to strengthen her Cheltenham Festival claims in the Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase at Thurles on Sunday.

The six-year-old is three from three since joining Willie Mullins from France – scoring twice over hurdles at Fairyhouse last season before making an impressive chasing debut in a Grade Two at Limerick over the Christmas period.

She is already the 7-4 favourite for the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham with sponsors Paddy Power and those odds may well contract if she can claim another Grade Two victory this weekend.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “We’re very happy with Allegorie De Vassy. She was fantastic in Limerick and we’re hoping she can do the same again.

“It looks a very good opportunity, so you’d be disappointed if she couldn’t convert.”

Another runner who is very much Cheltenham-bound is Billaway, who won the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at last year’s Festival under Mullins and makes his seasonal reappearance in the Thurles Racecourse Hunters Chase.

Billaway is back in action on Sunday
Billaway is back in action on Sunday (Niall Carson/PA)

“He’s been an incredible horse and I think there’s only three horses in the yard that have won more races than he has,” Mullins added.

“He’s never won first time out – he finished second in this race last year – and I’d imagine he’ll come on for the run again.

“March and April (Punchestown) are his two big days.”

Moore fielding strong squad should Lingfield beat the freeze

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One man desperate for Lingfield’s scheduled third day of its Winter Million meeting to go ahead is Gary Moore, who has several leading chances headed by Goshen.

The seven-year-old would appear to have a strong claim in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle, in which he was third last season, should the meeting pass an 8am precautionary inspection.

Goshen hung out to the right, as he had done on several occasions before, that day but Moore is happy to go back left-handed with him due to the excellent prize-money on offer, with £52,000 available to the first home.

An easy winner of the Coral Hurdle at Ascot already this season, Goshen failed to see out the trip when second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton over Christmas.

“We’ve got to give it a go as the prize-money is good and I don’t think the race is overly strong,” said Moore.

“He’s had a good year and done amazingly well and his next run will probably be at Wincanton back over two miles (Kingwell Hurdle).

“He’s in good form, has come out of Kempton well and would go there with every chance.”

Nicky Henderson’s First Street, third in the Relkeel Hurdle over two and a half miles, would appear Goshen’s main rival while three of the seven declared have other options this weekend.

In the Surrey National, Moore is represented by Movethechains, who enjoyed four wide-margin victories at Lingfield last season.

Movethechains finished a respectable fifth in the Welsh National
Movethechains finished a respectable fifth in the Welsh National (David Davies/PA)

He reappeared in the Welsh National and finished fifth, albeit beaten 46 lengths.

“I’m looking forward to him. He ran really well in the Welsh National to say he hadn’t had a run before,” said Moore.

“He runs well round Lingfield and I just hope it’s on for him. I would like to think he’s still well treated, but you can never tell until you get to the racecourse.”

Moore also runs Cloud Dancer in the opening bumper, Heaven Smart in the Winter Million Ballykelly Consulting Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, Hudson De Grugy in the Cazoo Beginners’ Chase, Teddy Blue in the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle and Haddex Des Obeaux in the Godstone Handicap Chase.

Haddex Des Obeaux was a winner at Warwick last weekend
Haddex Des Obeaux was a winner at Warwick last weekend (Nigel French/PA)

“They’ve been all trained especially for it really,” he said.

“I love Lingfield and it’s not far away. I think it’s a very underestimated racecourse and a great track.

“I know you do get soft ground there, but they are National Hunt horses and you know what you are going to get, so I guess don’t go there if you don’t want soft ground.”

The one race in which Moore is not represented is the feature Fleur De Lys Chase, in which Kim Bailey’s Two For Gold is out to repeat his victory of 12 months ago.

He went on to finish second to Fakir D’Oudairies in the Grade One Ascot Chase and ran well for a long way in the Grand National, but he disappointed back at Aintree in the Grand Sefton on his only outing this term.

Bailey said: “We shall be doing our best, so let’s hope the meeting is on.

“The horse is very well, I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He’s been trained for the day, we know he’ll go in the conditions, it will be a war of attrition so it’s fingers crossed.

“He has probably had one race too many at Aintree now, I don’t think we’ll be going back there again.”

Lingfield call morning check ahead of Sunday jumps action

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Sunday’s meeting at Lingfield will need to pass a precautionary inspection at 8am on raceday if it is to go ahead.

The feature event of a planned nine-race fixture is the £165,000 Fleur De Lys Chase, with two other hurdles events worth £110,000 and £100,000 also on the card, which is the culmination of the Winter Million weekend.

The first of three days of action was claimed by the weather on Friday but Saturday’s all-weather card went ahead as planned.

While clerk of the course George Hill reported the track to be fit for action on Saturday afternoon, another chilly night is forecast and he admits some luck is required with the course covered overnight.

Lingfield raced on the all-weather track on Saturday
Lingfield raced on the all-weather track on Saturday (Steven Paston/PA)

He told Sky Sports Racing: “We have passed our 4pm inspection, we’re happy with conditions at the moment and we have now got a precautionary inspection for 8am.

“We’ve had a big team on track today. We’ve had a massive group effort with teams from Fontwell, Brighton, Uttoxeter, Windsor, Chepstow, head office – we had about 45-50 people on track, running our all-weather meeting too.

“It’s been pretty busy and hectic on site. Everyone has worked extremely hard and we’re trying out best. We’ve had a great day today and we’re excited for tomorrow.

“We need the better end of the forecast for tonight. It is going to be a cold night, we’ve done our best and covered up (the track), it’s been a big effort and we need the lower end of the forecast to be OK tomorrow morning.

“We will know by 8am what the weather has done, what the forecast is going to do and where we go from there.”

Should Lingfield get the go-ahead, it will break a barren spell for British National Hunt racing, with Hereford the last track to stage turf action on Monday.

Ffos Las has a jumps meeting on Monday
Ffos Las has a jumps meeting on Monday (David Davies/PA)

Saturday’s meetings at Ascot, Haydock and Taunton were all called off due to frozen tracks, while Sunday’s other jumps fixture at Fakenham was also cancelled.

Wolverhampton’s Saturday evening card drew to a close earlier than planned, with fog forcing its abandonment with four races still to run.

Ffos Las is due to race on Monday, with no issues reported at present, but Tuesday’s card at Exeter is subject to a 4pm inspection on Monday.

Leicester and Market Rasen are also scheduled to race over jumps on Tuesday, with both courses currently frozen.

It’s For Me states Cheltenham claims with Navan romp

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It’s For Me shot to the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham with an impressive victory at Navan on Saturday.

Making his debut for trainer Willie Mullins, It’s For Me was sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Racing Again February 12th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race after winning his only point-to-point start last year.

Ridden by the handler’s son Patrick, the five-year-old travelled supremely well throughout and was cantering in behind before taking control around two furlongs out.

Mullins only had to push him out to come home 10 lengths clear of Suttons Hill and Paddy Power installed him as the 5-1 favourite for the Cheltenham bumper, before further cutting him to 4s.

Patrick Mullins said: “He’s much better on the track than he is at home, at home he doesn’t flash.

“Looking at the price he went off in his point-to-point, it was obviously a similar story there. He’s much better on grass.

“That was very impressive. He was a bit keen all the way but he quickened up very well.

“That was as good as anything that has been seen this year.

“When you don’t have one of Gordon Elliott’s in there to maybe have a measure, it’s a bit easier.

“The bumper horses seem to be hitting top gear now, they were a bit hit and miss before Christmas.”

When asked if the Champion Bumper was tomorrow, would he ride him, Mullins added: “I don’t know what I’m going to ride there.”

Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double
Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double (Gary Carson/PA)

The Closutton team had earlier been on the mark with Shanbally Kid (11-10 favourite) in the Buy Your Navan 2023 Membership Maiden Hurdle.

He let down his supporters when only fourth on his hurdles bow but made amends with a length-and-three-quarter verdict over Monty’s Star in the hands of Paul Townend.

“It took me a while to get him jumping to be honest,” said the winning rider.

“I was probably there a bit soon on him as he didn’t do a whole lot when he hit the front, but I was always holding them behind me.

“He’s still quite a raw individual. I kind of settled the race really quickly and then he was just doing enough. I’d say there is a bit more in the tank.

“The further he went, the better he jumped, he’ll be fine and should progress again. You’d be going out in trip with him rather than back, I’d think.”

Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue were also in double form via Path D’Oroux and Pure Sirloin.

Path D’Oroux (3-1) ran out a cosy winner of the Welcome Back To Navan Racecourse Rated Novice Hurdle, in which three of the key players failed to finish.

“I know there were fallers but he won the race in a nice manner,” said Cromwell.

“He travels lovely every day, even in the Royal Bond he travelled very well but he cut out in a matter of 50 yards.

“He ran a lot better in Leopardstown the last day and hopefully he’s on the way back.

“The ground is no bother to him as he’s a big strong horse and he has plenty of gears too.

“I suppose the owners would like to go to Cheltenham for something, so we might look at one of the handicaps.”

Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double
Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double (Gary Carson/PA)

Pure Sirloin (7-1) has less lofty targets after his win in the Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “He would want to learn to jump better but he was good over the last two which got him out of jail.”

“He made plenty of mistakes and Keith gave him a smashing ride to land him there. He’s a work in progress and we’ll look for something similar again.”

Mahler Mission (100-30) was cut from 33-1 to 12s by Betfair for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham after coasting home by 10 lengths in the Wilkinstown Beginners Chase.

Mahler Mission returns to the winner's enclosure
Mahler Mission returns to the winner’s enclosure (Gary Carson/PA)

Winning trainer John McConnell said: “We put him in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham this week and we’ll certainly look at it, you wouldn’t be averse to going after that.

“He’s going to get a big enough mark, so we’re going to be restricted where we can go but in a good way.

“I was bottling it last night, thinking of taking him out, and looking at other alternatives. There is nothing in Ireland though bar a couple of Grade Twos. We could do that or could go straight to Cheltenham.

“All the big handicap chases are on the agenda as well, there are a lot in the UK worth a lot of money. There are loads of options with him, he’s only a young horse.”

Al Agaila edges victory in Winter Oaks thriller

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Al Agaila brought up a hat-trick when shading a thrilling finish to the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly made a successful step up to 10 furlongs in the Winter Oaks Trial in December and was sent off the 10-11 favourite to land the feature on the Saturday of the track’s Winter Million weekend.

Settled in fourth by James Doyle, the Classic-winning rider was in no rush to make any significant move in the early stages and then began to squeeze his mount forward as the eight-strong field approached the home turn.

Angled wide, the daughter of Lope De Vega soon breezed into a position to strike, but as the runners straightened for the closing stages, Al Agaila was joined by the William Haggas-trained Morgan Fairy and Harry Eustace’s Makinmedoit – with the three fillies soon locked in a titanic battle to the line.

The trio matched strides all the way up the Lingfield home straight, but it was Doyle who conjured up extra from his mount in the shadow of the post to land the £51,540 first prize.

“We are really delighted with her,” said Simon Crisford. “It was a slowly-run race and she would have benefitted from a stronger pace.

“James Doyle always thought he was going to win and the filly was very tough and courageous. She is improving the whole time – she had to defy an 11lb rise in the weights today and has acquitted herself with great credit.”

The €240,000 buy has now earnt a crack at the Betuk Winter Derby over the same track and trip on February 25 – where opposition could include King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pyledriver.

“She’s a possibility for the Winter Derby back at Lingfield and we’ll just have to see where the filly takes us,” continued Crisford.

Lingfield Park Races – Saturday January 21, 2023
Al Agaila and jockey James Doyle in the parade ring after winning the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield Park Racecourse (Steven Paston/PA)

“You never know with these fillies where they will take you when they start improving. Right now she’s doing exceptionally well and improving. She has a good attitude and is going the right way. It was a very strong effort and she ran with great credit.

“The Winter Derby, if she goes there, will be a completely different proposition – she’ll be running against Pyledriver and Lord North.

“Let’s see how she copes in a race like that before we start making any summer plans or anything like that.”

No anchoring HMS Seahorse at Navan

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HMS Seahorse made a stylish return to action in the Navan Handicap Hurdle, putting himself in the frame for the Cheltenham Festival in the process.

The five-year-old finished fourth in the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park last term before claiming a distant third upped to Grade One level at the Punchestown Festival, but he had been off the track since finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September, having been gelded in the interim.

Sent off a 15-2 shot in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe, HMS Seahorse was settled on the heels of the leaders on the rail in the two-and-half-mile heat as 11-4 favourite Lucky Max set out to make all.

The market leader gave a bold sight and was still in front jumping the last, but HMS Seahorse was travelling well in behind and swept through to grab the lead on the run to the line.

Paul Nolan’s runner went on to score by two and a quarter lengths from Felix Desjy, with Rebel Ivy a further neck back in third.

Paddy Power make HMS Seahorse a 12-1 shot for the Coral Cup, while also offering 20-1 about his chances in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and the County Hurdle – although the first event listed could be the preferred choice for connections.

“He gave him a brilliant ride. Sean said he came for him every time he asked him,” said Nolan.

“He needed to jump the last and he was long at it. He seems to be jumping far better since he was gelded.

“In Galway he jumped poorly when he was odds-on favourite and the jumping just didn’t work.

“He’s a bit more clinical now, he’d never go long before and he was very good today.

“We might look at the Coral Cup with him. That’s where the lads would love to go.

“We’d have to look at a Pertemps qualifier as well, it would be great to have more options, but that might be tight enough.”

Haydock calls off Peter Marsh Chase card

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Saturday’s meeting at Haydock has been called off due to a frozen track.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright had planned to hold a precautionary inspection at 8am on raceday to assess conditions ahead of the card, which was set to feature four Grade Two contests including the Peter Marsh Chase.

However, he brought that check forward after temperatures dropped to minus 3c overnight, leaving the course unraceable.

Lingfield hosts the feature all-weather meeting
Lingfield hosts the feature all-weather meeting (Julian Herbert/PA)

Haydock’s cancellation means it will be a fifth day in Britain with no jumps action as Ascot and Taunton had already abandoned, with Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton flying the flag on the all-weather.

Lingfield are also scheduled to hold a classy National Hunt card on Sunday, but that meeting hinges on a 4pm inspection on Saturday.

There will be a jumps meeting in Ireland though, as Navan’s Saturday fixture will go ahead as planned after the chase track was declared fit for action following a morning check.

Epatante has chance to get back to winning ways at Haydock

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With stablemate Constitution Hill safely tucked away in his box, Epatante appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways in The New One Unibet Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned mare is clearly no slouch, with a Champion Hurdle, an Aintree Hurdle, two Christmas Hurdles and two Fighting Fifth Hurdles already in her satchel.

She has proved no match for the magnificent Constitution Hill in either the Fighting Fifth or the Christmas Hurdle so far this season, beaten 12 lengths at Newcastle and 17 at Kempton. But she was comfortably best of the rest on both occasions and is odds-on for this weekend’s Grade Two assignment.

Henderson told Unibet: “I think for all of us the ground is a bit of a worry but there’s nothing we can do about it and at the moment we just have to take what we can.

“She isn’t a gigantic mare but has won on soft ground before so you’d like to think she’ll at least get through it and she’s been in good form at home. She’s been ticking over nicely and this is a good opportunity to give her the chance of winning a race after bumping into Constitution Hill all season.

“It would just be lovely to get her head back in front again and give her some confidence.”

He added: “She had a terrific season last year, winning three Grade Ones, so owes us absolutely nothing, but she still retains all her ability and (for her) it’s a shame a certain horse owned by Michael Buckley has come on the scene because she would’ve already won two Grade Ones this season and likely be favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle!”

The highest-rated horse in the field is Jason The Militant, who makes his debut for Phil Kirby after being bought out of Henry de Bromhead’s yard.

The nine-year-old, who won at Grade Three and Grade Two level over hurdles, has also been declared for Lingfield on Sunday – but looks set to head for Merseyside provided the meeting goes ahead.

Kirby said: “He’s settled in grand and he’s been very straightforward. He’s done everything he’s been asked to do and we were hoping for some soft ground this weekend. It looks like we’ve got it, so we just need the racing to be on somewhere.

“We’ve had him around a month or so. He’s an older horse so he was perhaps ready for a change of scenery. We’re going to try and freshen him back up and try and get him somewhere back to where he was.

“He hasn’t been running badly though and he’s almost exclusively been running in top-level races. He’s a lovely horse and he’s got a nice rating, so these are the races he’s got to run in really.”

I Like To Move It won Greatwood Hurdle in November for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Relkeel on New Year’s Day.

I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season
I Like To Move It won the Greatwood Hurdle earlier this season (Tim Goode/PA)

High-class chaser Minella Drama is an interesting contender – switching back to hurdles for the first time since finishing second in a Grade One novice race at Aintree in the spring of 2021.

“I had him in the Peter Marsh and I was tempted, but it’s three-mile-two, and I had him the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield on Sunday, but with his Grade Two penalty he was giving weight to horses rated higher than him,” said trainer Donald McCain.

“It’s always kind of been in my head, is he a better chaser than a hurdler? I know this is a Champion Hurdle trial, but he goes on the ground and he likes the track and he’s in good nick.

“On his last run over hurdles he was second in a Grade One and we’ve done it before in this race (with Navajo Pass in 2021), so we thought we’d give it another go.”

Nells Son (Nicky Richards) and For Pleasure (Alex Hales) complete the line-up.

Master Of The Seas sails to comeback victory at Meydan

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Master Of The Seas, who came within a short head of winning the 2000 Guineas two years ago, made a successful return from nine months off the track in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan.

Charlie Appleby’s charge was touched off by Poetic Verse in the Rowley Mile Classic and has only made it to the track three times since – winning last year’s Earl of Sefton Stakes on his only start in 2022.

Despite his lengthy absence, the Dubawi gelding was a hot favourite to make a winning comeback and ultimately did so in good style in the hands of William Buick.

After initially tracking a couple of fellow Godolphin runners, Master Of The Seas quickened up to grab the lead in the straight and was always doing enough to hold David O’Meara’s Shelir at bay.

Appleby said: “I’m very pleased. Well done to all the team – they’ve done a great job getting him back.

“He’s obviously not been seen since the spring. He had a setback after Newmarket and it’s taken a lot of patience and time to get him to where he is now.

“The race couldn’t have gone any better really. The pace was there, William got a nice box seat and if anything it would have been handy if the pace had lasted a little bit longer because the one thing this horse does is travel well. He put the race to bed and is entitled to come forward from the run.

“He’s a challenge to himself sometimes, but the engine is there and if everything goes right, as you saw tonight, he’s a good horse.”

Charlie Appleby was delighted with Master Of The Seas on his return to action
Charlie Appleby was delighted with Master Of The Seas on his return to action (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Moulton Paddocks handler confirmed Master Of The Seas will remain in Dubai up until World Cup night, while an appearance at Royal Ascot is already at the back of his mind.

He added: “We’ll get him back and hopefully get a clear run through to Super Saturday and the Jebel Hatta and then all being well he can book his ticket for the Dubai Turf on World Cup night.

“He’s had a bit of a stop-start career so far, but if we can get a clear run Royal Ascot is something we’ll definitely be working back from.”

Buick was similarly pleased with his mount’s performance, saying: “It was lovely. The race set up for him nicely and it’s lovely for him to come back like he did.

“He’s always been a very exciting horse – he has been since he was a two-year-old. His class and quality has never been in question and let’s hope he can build on that today.

“He’s taken on some horses there that have had recent runs, which counts for a lot, but he’s certainly that class of horses that deserves to be aimed at Super Saturday and World Cup night all being well.”

Harry Eustace saddled Brighton and Beverley winner Cite d’Or in the UAE 1000 Guineas, but she struggled on her dirt debut and finished last of six behind the impressive Mimi Kakushi.

The latter, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, won the trial for the Listed contest four weeks ago and took her game to another level as she stretched readily clear of of her rivals.

“I was happy to sit just behind the pace, the extra furlong helped and she’s an improving filly. Hopefully we see her great race from her again in the UAE Oaks,” said Barzalona.