Tag Archive for: Good Land

Punchestown next port of call for Marine Nationale

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Marine Nationale is firmly on course for an appearance at the Punchestown Festival having done nothing but delight owner-trainer Barry Connell since his sublime Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success.

Sent off the 9-2 second favourite for the Cheltenham Festival opener, the six-year-old was given an ice-cool ride by Michael O’Sullivan, shadowing Willie Mullins’ market leader Facile Vega all the way until after the last before breezing past the 9-4 favourite.

The victory gave Connell his first Festival winner as a handler and Marine Nationale will now attempt to maintain his unbeaten record in the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle on April 25.

“He’s in brilliant form and he’s come back like he didn’t have a race,” said O’Connell.

“He’s back riding out and the plan is to go for the two-mile novice at the Punchestown Festival. I see no reason why he won’t go there and if he continues in the same form he is at the moment, he definitely goes there.

“He’s been there twice and won his bumper and maiden hurdle there, so he knows his way around. His last two runs have been on soft ground and he hasn’t had any spring ground yet but we know he will handle it well. With luck we will get there and he will be the one to beat.”

Marine Nationale first shot to prominence when landing a bumper in the hands of O’Sullivan at Punchestown in May 2022 and it is somewhat fitting that both horse and rider return to the Kildare track having established themselves as headline acts over following 12 months.

Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell (left) on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
Michael O’Sullivan celebrates winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle with Marine Nationale, alongside owner and trainer Barry Connell (left) on day one of the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Michael has ridden him in all his races starting as a 7lb claiming amateur and he knows him,” said Connell.

“But that’s the great thing, when you know what you have underneath you, you know you have two or three extra gears and it gives you the confidence to wait and if you are in the wrong position, you know the horse is going to get you out of it.

“I think it’s a case of the horse giving the rider confidence as much as the other way round, the perfect combination.”

After Punchestown is done and dusted, attentions will turn to next season, with the former hedge fund manager dreaming of what his star pupil could achieve.

Options remain open, but the Nurney-based handler is confident Marine Nationale will continue to thrive whether he is sent novice chasing, or kept over the smaller obstacles for a crack at the Champion Hurdle.

“All options are open for next season,” continued Connell.

“He jumps superb so you would have no problem going over a fence, but if we go down the other road, I think he is tailor-made for the Champion Hurdle.

“Michael said the last day his jumping was very efficient – he is probably just hanging in the air a little bit, but it was only his third run over hurdles and there is probably improvement to come in terms of getting a little bit slicker over his obstacles.

Owner and Trainer of Marine Nationale, Barry Connell (right), celebrates winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Owner and Trainer of Marine Nationale, Barry Connell (right), celebrates winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Mike Egerton/PA)

“The big thing is the speed and when you combine that with the temperament it is a powerful combination, because he is definitely the quickest horse I’ve ever had.”

Although Marine Nationale’s future is still to be decided, there is no deliberation needed for Good Land, who will be next sighted over the larger obstacles at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

The seven-year-old was well fancied for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham following an impressive Grade One success at the Dublin Racing Festival, but could only finish fourth to Impaire Et Passe at Prestbury Park in what will be his final outing over timber.

“Good Land came back (from Cheltenham) very, very flat and he still seems very down on himself,” added Connell.

“He’s not sick, he’s just very flat. He maybe spent one extra day there as in the run up to the race he was fine and the day before he was fine – just when we legged up the jockey and cantered down to the start, we knew he was beat.

“He still ran well and finished fourth and it was a good run, but I know the horses. We might not have beaten the winner but the second and third shouldn’t have finished in front of him.

“It’s just one of those things and he’ll go jumping next season.

“He’s not slow, so I would be looking at probably an intermediate distance for him. He has enormous scope and if you let him rock on, even in a two-mile race, he would be hard to beat.”

Marine Nationale possible for Punchestown after ‘fantastic two days’ for Connell

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Barry Connell will travel home to Ireland a happy man after a successful first Cheltenham Festival foray as a trainer.

While Connell has enjoyed plenty of high-profile victories as an owner, he is in just his third season with a licence – and a landmark campaign it has been.

Marine Nationale booked his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ticket with his Royal Bond win back in December, while Good Land emerged victorious in a Grade One heat at the Dublin Racing Festival, ensuring his participation in the Ballymore at Cheltenham.

Michael O’Sullivan salutes the crowd aboard Marine Nationale
Michael O’Sullivan salutes the crowd aboard Marine Nationale (Mike Egerton/PA)

He had to settle for a distant fourth behind Impaire Et Passe on Wednesday, but Marine Nationale made no mistake on Tuesday as he mowed down favourite Facile Vega in the Supreme, winning by three and quarter lengths with jockey Michael O’Sullivan barely reaching for his whip in victory.

Connell had been ultra-confident in the race build up and could now look towards the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle on April 25 for Marine Nationale.

He said: “He didn’t have a blow yesterday and he’s as bright as a button.

“He’ll have an entry in Punchestown for the two-mile novice and we’ll see how he is, but we’ll be going chasing next season – that’s the plan.

“Hopefully he’s an Arkle horse and Good Land would be one for the Turners or whatever.”

“Overall it’s been a fantastic two days and we had a great night last night.”

Good Land was beaten a total of 11 and a quarter lengths by three Willie Mullins-trained runners, but was in turn nine lengths clear of the fifth.

However, Connell felt perhaps he was not quite on top of his game on the big day, with a full examination now likely to take place later in the week.

He added: “It was a good run in a really competitive race. The first four pulled well clear.

Impaire Et Passe had Good Land well beaten in fourth
Impaire Et Passe had Good Land well beaten in fourth (Tim Goode/PA)

“Michael said he felt a little flat and he spent a little too much time in the air over his obstacles. He got from A to B, but he didn’t really hurdle effectively.

“We’ll get him checked out later in the week and see how he is as he took a much bigger blow than the horse yesterday, but he still ran a good race and congratulations to the winner.

“He was working brilliantly. Maybe he didn’t travel over well, I don’t know, or maybe there’s nothing wrong with him. I’ll get him checked and gets his bloods checked anyway.

“I’d say he’ll probably go out to the paddock for the summer now and go chasing next year.”

Michael O’Sullivan eager to make Festival splash with Marine

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Michael O’Sullivan is counting downs the days to the Cheltenham Festival, as one of the rising stars of the weighing room heads to Prestbury Park with an enviable hand to play.

As Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle were strutting their stuff on the opening day 12 months ago, O’Sullivan was still at college studying for a degree in agricultural science and his only experience of the Festival to date was an uneventful ride aboard a 66-1 shot in the 2022 Kim Muir.

Things will be a lot different one year on and the next time he gets the leg-up at Prestbury Park, he will be heading to the start aboard Marine Nationale – one of the leading players in the Festival-opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Michael O’Sullivan aboard Marine Nationale when winning the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse
Michael O’Sullivan aboard Marine Nationale when winning the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse (Brian Lawless/PA)

“I wish it was starting tomorrow really,” said O’Sullivan.

“We’re just hoping now that all horses and jockeys get there in one piece and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s a bit of a nervous week and you just hope yourself and the horses get over there healthy and well”

It takes less than four minutes for bubbles to be burst and reputations ruined in the Supreme, a race which time and again has proven no place for youthful exuberance.

The fledgling riding ability of a young Patrick Mullins when partnering Cousin Vinny and Brian O’Connell aboard Dunguib were both hot topics of conversation in the build up to the Festival opener in the past, but a measure of O’Sullivan’s growing reputation since turning professional is that the ice-cool Cork native is simply expected to deliver on the big stage.

“Of course there will be a few nerves, a few butterflies I guess you can call it, and I suppose there is a lot of pressure that comes with it,” continued O’Sullivan.

“But it’s exciting and I wouldn’t want to be in any other position. If you are riding horses, you want to be riding on the big days and at the Cheltenham Festival. Going out to ride a fancied runner in a Grade One and the Supreme is obviously massive and really exciting and I’m in a very lucky position.”

He went on: “I suppose you have a fair idea what’s going to happen and I’ve definitely ran through it in my head and which way you would like it to go – you’re just hoping you get that bit of luck in running.

“You could go down to the first hurdle and plan A, B and C could be out of the window. But both Marine Nationale and Good Land are straightforward enough rides and I’ll just look to keep things simple on them and hopefully that will be enough on the day.

“You’re just hoping everything goes well and to try to enjoy it as much as you can.”

Backed by owner-trainer Barry Connell, O’Sullivan has proven more than up to the task in both opportunities at Grade One level this term.

He was coolness personified when confidently producing Marine Nationale late to claim his first top-table success in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, while he used Good Land’s turn of foot at the perfect moment to seal the Nathaniel Lacey at the Dublin Racing Festival – further exemplifying his astute race-riding brain aboard the horse he will partner in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday afternoon.

Those horses form the spine of O’Sullivan’s Cheltenham squad and he is adamant he would not change his mounts for anything else in their respective Grade One contests.

He added: “I’m very lucky to have come across two really good horses and I really wouldn’t swap them for anything else in their races.

“Marine is unbeaten and Good Land is probably unlucky not to be unbeaten – other than the unseat (at Fairyhouse on debut), he’s been perfect really. They both haven’t put a foot wrong and we just hope it continues that way.

“They are both Grade One winners and are both in good nick at home. They go there with a real chance, so I just hope we get a bit of luck on the day and they run their race.”

Good Land and Michael O'Sullivan on their way to winning the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle during day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown
Good Land and Michael O’Sullivan on their way to winning the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle during day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Victory for either would also be the dream way to repay the faith of Connell, who took a chance on a fresh-faced amateur after he steered Marine Nationale to victory in a Punchestown bumper last May, promising plenty of support in the professional ranks.

“It would be great and very satisfying (to win for Barry) as he as been very good to me,” continued O’Sullivan.

“He’s put a lot of faith in me and we’ve had a great season, I just hope it continues. Things have gone really well since turning professional.”

Although plans are still to be finalised, O’Sullivan expects to be kept busy throughout his four-day stay at Prestbury Park, where his claim could prove a valuable asset.

He partnered Emmet Mullins’ So Scottish at Ascot earlier in the campaign and will be in line to be utilised once again aboard the Magners Plate favourite, while the powerhouse of Gigginstown House Stud have already locked in O’Sullivan’s services to ride Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge in the Coral Cup.

O’Sullivan will also be reunited with the Terrence O’Brien-trained Magnor Glory – who provided the young Irishman with his breakthrough victory in the professional ranks when winning the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Listowel last September.

He said: “I ride one for Terrence O’Brien in the County Hurdle called Magnor Glory and he was probably my first big winner as a professional. I won on him at Listowel and he won the €100,000 Ladbroke Hurdle down there.”

“Hopefully I will have a couple each day, so it is exciting times.”

Connell readying novice pair for Cheltenham mission

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Barry Connell has seen his yellow and blue silks carried to Cheltenham Festival glory before but should either Marine Nationale or Good Land win in the Cotswolds next month it will be extra special.

Martello Tower was trained by Mags Mullins when winning the Albert Bartlett in 2015, while Pedrobob was prepared by Tony Mullins to win the County Hurdle in 2007.

Now, of course, Connell is training his horses himself – and making great waves whilst doing it.

He has had two runners in Grade One races this season and won them both. Marine Nationale overcame a mistake at the last to win the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, while Good Land oozed class in winning the Nathaniel Lacy at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Both horses are now leading contenders to strike Festival gold, with Marine Nationale in line for the curtain-raising Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Good Land bound for the Ballymore.

“They are both good. We have one last piece of work to do with them before they go but we couldn’t be happier with them,” said Connell.

Good Land was impressive at Leopardstown
Good Land was impressive at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

“They are both on course, unless something untoward happens. It’s three weeks from now and won’t be long coming in. We’re very happy with them. Once we get them on the ferry all the hard work is done.

“They have the ability to go over there and win, the two of them. They are both Grade One winners, we are not going over there winging it with something that has won a maiden hurdle. The two of them are entitled to be there on merit.

“It’s a pleasure to be travelling with two fantastic horses like that and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Good Land makes no mistake for O’Connell at Leopardstown

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Good Land got punters at the Dublin Racing Festival off to a flying start when justifying favouritism in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff” Novice Hurdle.

Barry Connell’s seven-year-old suffered a mishap on his hurdling debut when unseating Michael O’Sullivan at the first obstacle but the pair soon made amends at the big Leopardstown Christmas meeting.

Connell and O’Sullivan had broken their Grade One ducks with Marine Nationale in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse and with that monkey off their backs headed into the two-mile-six-furlong contest full of confidence.

Sent off the 3-1 favourite on his return to the Dublin track, the only doubt his backers will have had was if Good Land had done too much in the early stages of the race, as it was clear the pace-setting Weveallbeencaught – a rare raider from Britain at this fixture – was not going fast enough for him.

Sent to the front just before the turn for home, he had Sandor Clegane to see off and when he cried enough Absolute Notions began to close, but there was a length and a half between them at the line.

O’Sullivan, unable to claim his 5lb as the race was a Grade One, punched the air in delight and Betfair cut him to 5-1 from 10s for the Ballymore at Cheltenham.

“We were expecting that. He was a course and distance winner at Christmas and never came out of a hack canter,” said Connell.

Good Land with winning connections
Good Land with winning connections (Gary Carson/PA)

“He hasn’t missed a beat since then and we were very confident today. He’s a quick horse and we didn’t think he’d mind the ground.

“We only gave him one entry at Cheltenham in the Ballymore because we have the other horse for the Supreme (Marine Nationale).

“It couldn’t have gone better, he was maybe a fraction keen over the first couple but then he got a lovely lead off Nigel’s (Twiston-Davies) horse (Weveallbeencaught).

“He never missed a beat jumping, he got a lovely blow into him turning in. He hit the front probably plenty early and he was idling in front.

“I think we are still only scratching the surface with this guy. The big plus with him is that he’s seven years of age.

“We bought him as a four-year-old from one of the point-to-point guys and gave him a run in a bumper. Then he had a few issues.”

He went on: “It’s a big advantage for these horses to have that age on their side. He’s bombproof and you could see him walking around beforehand like he was at a kid’s gymkhana.

“Marine is the same, the two of them are brilliant. We are a small operation, we have 25 horses, and we’ve had two entries in Grade Ones this season and won them both.

“He’s not slow, I won the Albert Bartlett before with Martello Tower and it is quite hard on novices. I prefer the Ballymore, he could drop back to the Supreme if something happens to the other guy but I would need to supplement him.”

On O’Sullivan he added: “He’s a find, he’s ice cool and a brilliant horseman. He rides all of ours and I’m delighted. It doesn’t matter if he claims or not.

“The good thing is that he’s 22, he’s not 16 or 17. He’s been champion point-to-point rider and he’s got his college degree now. He has maturity on his side which is a big help.”

Good Land out to shake up established order in Leopardstown opener

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Owner-trainer Barry Connell considers Good Land a worthy favourite for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff” Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The two-mile-six-furlong contest is the first of eight Grade Ones scheduled to take place across a mouthwatering two days at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival – and while Willie Mullins looks set dominate, it is Connell’s charge who is poised to head the market for the curtain-raiser.

Wexford bumper winner Good Land made it no further than the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, but proved his class with an impressive victory at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

He steps up in distance and class this weekend, but Connell is confident he will prove hard to beat.

He said: “He’s in good order and worked well during the week. All is good with him.

“They’re putting plenty of water on the track so the ground should be fine and the step up in trip won’t be an issue.

“He doesn’t have to improve too much. After his performance the last day over the course, he probably deserves to be favourite.

“I think he’s come on since Christmas and we’re hoping for a big run.”

Mullins fires a twin assault at a prize he has won seven times in the last 10 years, with stable jockey Paul Townend preferring Tramore winner Quais De Paris to Grangeclare West, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Naas earlier in the month under the trainer’s nephew, Danny.

“Grangeclare West was very impressive when he won and Quais De Paris was probably less impressive, but it’s a tight track in Tramore and I brought him down for the ground,” said Mullins.

“He’s a big horse who will appreciate a longer trip and he’ll improve an awful lot. The bare evidence of that form probably wouldn’t be good enough, but we’ve brought plenty of horses down to Tramore and on to Leopardstown and Cheltenham and it’s worked.”

Paul Nolan claimed this race in 2020 with Latest Exhibition and has high hopes for Sandor Clegane, who was runner-up to Facile Vega in a bumper at this meeting 12 months ago and opened his account over hurdles with a 12-length verdict at Punchestown in November.

Nolan said: “He’s only had two runs over hurdles, he was placed in his first run and then improved a lot from that to win at Punchestown.

Sandor Clegane after winning at Punchestown
Sandor Clegane after winning at Punchestown (Alan Magee/PA)

“It is a big step up now again and hopefully he can run with credit. He seems in good form and we hope for the best.

“It’s a big step up in class and it looks a very hot race – all nine have declared and you can make a case for all nine of them in it.

“This fella is still a young horse and he’s a big scopey individual and we hope he can stay in one piece. He is full of potential and we hope he can run with credit on Saturday.”

Deep Cave recorded a narrow win at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival and represents the formidable combination of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

Deep Cave and Rachael Blackmore in the clear
Deep Cave and Rachael Blackmore in the clear (Niall Carson/PA)

“I thought he won really nicely at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s only a young horse, but he’s progressed with every run,” said de Bromhead.

“He’s only a five-year-old, but he’s a really nice horse and one we’re looking forward to running.”

British hopes are carried by Weveallbeencaught, who had subsequent Cheltenham winner Rock My Way in behind when scoring at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day.

The six-year-old is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and will ridden by his son Sam, who said: “His form has worked out nicely after Saturday, so fingers crossed.

“It is a lot hotter out there (Ireland), mind. The owners wanted to have a go, so we are heading to Leopardstown.”

Gordon Elliott’s trio of American Mike, Absolute Notions and Cool Survivor complete the field, with the first named horse looking to bounce back from an odds-on defeat in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan in November.

“He wasn’t right the last day – he scoped dirty after the race,” said Elliott.

“But he is in good form now and we are running him and we’re hoping for a better run the next day.”

Good Land hunting Grade One gold at Leopardstown

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Barry Connell’s Good Land is set for a Grade One return to Leopardstown following his taking maiden victory at the track last month.

The seven-year-old open his account over obstacles by an easy eight lengths in late December, after unseating his rider at the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse.

Good Land holds an entry for the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle on February 4, where a good performance could see him go on to tackle the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Connell said: “He’s entered in the Nathaniel Lacey, the two-mile-six (furlong) Grade One in Leopardstown. That’s where he goes, he’s come out of his race very well at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Good Land at Leopardstown
Good Land at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“That was his first real run over hurdles so we’re anticipating something from him. He’s a course winner so we’re hoping he can run a massive race.

“If he does that then he’ll go to Cheltenham, where he has an entry in the Ballymore.”

Good Land’s Leopardstown win saw him defeat Willie Mullins’ Embassy Gardens, form that was reinforced when the latter horse streaked home to take a Thurles novice hurdle by 35 lengths last weekend.

“Embassy Gardens won very well at Thurles. He made a mistake at Leopardstown and that probably cost him second – instead of finishing fourth he might have been second,” Connell said.

“It is nice to see a boost to the form, we’re happy with our horse and he goes back there having won recently over the course. He’s training well and we’re expecting a good run.”

Connell also has Cheltenham in mind for Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale, who was last seen landing the Grade One novice hurdle by a head from Irish Point.

Marine Nationale during the Royal Bond
Marine Nationale during the Royal Bond (Brian Lawless/PA)

He too has seen his stock rise thanks to the performances of former rivals, with Irish Point going on to finish second in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle – beaten only by the fourth-placed horse in the Royal Bond, Champ Kiely.

Marine Nationale has enjoyed a short break since his Fairyhouse victory, but the six-year-old is back in action and will be aimed directly at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“He’s good, he’s back in full training. We gave him a break for about a month because he had been on the go for the whole summer,” said Connell.

“He didn’t get a summer break like most of the novices did, so he’s come back fresh and well. The plan is to go to the Supreme, he doesn’t have an entry in any of the other novice races.

“That’s where he’ll head, we’re happy with him and he’s back in full training. We’ll probably get a racecourse gallop into to him somewhere, probably a week before he goes and that would be his preparation sorted.”

Michael O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale
Michael O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale (Brian Lawless/PA)

Of the subsequent form boost, the trainer added: “The Grade One form worked out well in the Lawlor’s Of Naas – the horses who were second and fourth where first and second there.

“It’s always good to see the collateral form working out. We’re very happy with him and we think the better ground, which hopefully we will get a Cheltenham, will be in his favour.

“The ground had gone soft at Fairyhouse and that wouldn’t have suited him but nevertheless, he still managed to win. I’d say he’ll be even better on spring ground.”

Connell also owns and trains Enniskerry, victor in the Kilbegnet Novice Chase back in September before pulling up in the Grade One Drinmore.

The ground had become unsuitably testing on the latter occasion and the gelding will now wait for quicker conditions before he returns, with the Galway Plate the ultimate target come summer.

Enniskerry at Galway
Enniskerry at Galway (Niall Carson/PA)

“Enniskerry’s last run was in the Drinmore, the ground had become heavy and that was totally unsuitable,” said Connell.

“He was pulled up and he’s on a break now. The plan is to train him for the Galway Plate in the summer.

“He’s already a winner around Galway, so we know he goes around the track. He won a beginners chase there at the Festival, he’ll come back in the late spring and that’ll be his main target.”

Good Land pencilled for Grade One mission next month

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Barry Connell’s Good Land has a Grade One return to Leopardstown in store after his taking victory at the track last week.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old had some good bumper form to his name when making his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse in early December, but a first-fence mistake cut that run short as he parted ways with rider Michael O’Sullivan.

At Leopardstown on Thursday he returned to contest the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle, a race he dominated when making all of the running and going on to win by an unchallenged eight lengths on the line.

Connell now has a step up in calibre in mind for the Blue Bresil gelding, with the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors Novice Hurdle on the agenda at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February.

“We were delighted with him, we knew he was a smart horse,” the owner-trainer said.

Good Land in action at Leopardstown
Good Land in action at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“He won his bumper in Wexford very well and the form of that race had worked out, there were a number of winners that came out of that race.

“In that Fairyhouse run he just landed steeply after one hurdle, that was it. He was basically a non-runner in that race.

“His jumping is good and I don’t think he missed a beat in Leopardstown, he might have got in tight to one but was very clever and the rest were spot on.

“He’d been schooling well at home so we were expecting him to run a big race, but when you go to Leopardstown for a maiden run at Christmas with all the big yards involved – it takes a pretty good horse to win there.

“The manner in which he won was very impressive. I think he’s entitled to take his shot now at the Dublin Racing Festival and that’s where we’ll probably go next.

“The plan is to go for the two-mile six (furlong) race at the Dublin Racing Festival, the Grade One.”

Leopardstown return on the cards for Good Land

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Barry Connell will consider a return to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival with Good Land following a thoroughly impressive display in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.

The owner-trainer has already unearthed one Grade One-winning novice hurdler this season in the form of Royal Bond hero Marine Nationale.

But while that exciting youngster is being kept fresh for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Good Land will be given more experience – potentially at Grade One level.

The Wexford bumper winner got no further than the first flight on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, but bounced back in some style under 5lb claimer Michael O’Sullivan as he pulled eight lengths clear of Tag Man.

“We’ve hit the bar here before and I actually never rode a winner here, so that’s brilliant – everyone wants to have a winner at Leopardstown at Christmas,” said Connell.

“We brought three here, the first two we fancied and they ran well but this guy was the banker of the week. He’s gone in and we’re thrilled.

“He’s all stamina so I knew two and a half miles today, up the hill, would be right up his street.

“He went at the first (in Fairyhouse) and it can happen any novice. He was a little careful, screwed and pitched on landing. He’s a good jumper, you can see there today.

“I don’t know how strong the race was, but he couldn’t have been any more impressive.”

Considering future plans, he added: “I thought coming into today we might be looking at something like the Michael Purcell, which is a Grade Three in Thurles, but I’m going to make an entry for the two-mile-six Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival. On the back of that he’s entitled to an entry.

“This horse is obviously more of a stayer than Marine Nationale, who is very quick. He’d be able to work with the other horse, but he wouldn’t be as quick as him.

“Marine Nationale is on his holidays in Cork. He’s out on grass and will be back in about two weeks.

“We’ll have him back in the middle of January and he’ll go straight to Cheltenham. We’ll get a racecourse gallop into him somewhere.”

Seddon clear of his rivals at Leopardstown
Seddon clear of his rivals at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Seddon continued his resurgence with a runaway success in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Placed in Graded company over hurdles a few years ago, results have been mixed for the nine-year-old since, but he appears to have found a new lease of life since joining John McConnell.

After placing at Cartmel and Navan on his first two starts for new connections, Seddon won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October and was a 7-2 favourite returning the larger obstacles.

With amateur rider Ben Harvey keeping the ride, the Stowaway gelding moved into a clear lead a long way from home, jumped accurately and never really looked like being reeled in – ultimately coming home 13 lengths clear of nearest pursuer Archies Charm.

McConnell said: “It’s all down to the lads in the syndicate that wanted to run because I was getting very watery about the ground. It seemed to make no difference to him.

“He jumped great, Ben was always happy that he was going the right pace and it’s great to have a guy with a brain and a clock in his head. I was never worried he was going too fast because Ben is such a good rider.

“On his handicap mark, compared to his hurdle mark, he was entitled to run very well. When he won in Cheltenham, this was always the plan to come here. We thought we’d get nice ground here and then it started to rain. We got a little bit worried but what a horse.

“Mr handicapper is going to have his say now! He’s going to get into the hurdle race in Cheltenham off the mark he’s on now and probably the chase as well, so we can do what we want and he doesn’t owe us anything now.”

Green Glory (left) jumps the final flight at Leopardstown
Green Glory (left) jumps the final flight at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Charles and Philip Byrnes teamed up to land the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle with the gambled on 7-4 favourite Green Glory.

“It was great to win that, the same connections won it nine years ago with Sea Light,” said the winning trainer.

“He was getting a lot of weight off the second and he gave him a lovely, cool ride. He came there and got a great jump at the last.

“We’ll find something again over that trip.”

Willie Mullins enjoyed a treble on the card, with the Grade Three success of Shewearsitwell followed by Grade One wins for Gaillard Du Mesnil and State Man.

The champion trainer was double-handed in his bid for a 17th winner of the week at Leopardstown and Limerick combined, but his pair of Lecky Watson and and Special Cadeau had to make do with second and third respectively in the concluding bumper behind 16-1 newcomer Fascile Mode, trained by his brother Tom Mullins.

He said: “He did a blinding bit of work a week ago. He was always a nice horse and he ticks all the boxes – he’s a nice horse and he has the pedigree.

“When he did a nice bit of work we said we’d take a chance here. We were going to run Monday but Charlie (Mullins, trainer’s son) was injured so we came here instead.

“Charlie is cool, he’s only 18 but he’s a very good rider.

“He’s obviously a very good horse to do that first time – he beat a heap of winners there. Hopefully the phone will be ringing and hopefully one of those multi-millionaires will come and buy him!”