Racing Post Novice Chase |
|
| Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:20 €90,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 1f, Class 1  |
|
| Wednesday 26th December 2018 | |
1 Le Richebourg 3/1
2 Us And Them 16/1
3
Voix Du Reve 9/4
6 ran Distances: 4½l, nk, 1½l
Time: 4m 3.80s (fast by 2.20s)
Le Richebourg does the business ahead of stablemate Us And Them
 |
Le Richebourg got his Grade One reward over fences at the second attempt when leading home a one-two for trainer Joseph O'Brien.
Beaten only half a length by Delta Work in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse after being successful on his first two starts over the bigger obstacles, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old returned to winning ways in style.
Mark Walsh had Le Richebourg (3-1) close to the pace which his stablemate Us And Them helped make, while the 7-4 favourite Mengli Khan was held up towards the rear.
Though he tried to close, Mengli Khan did not have the pace to threaten and Le Richebourg shrugged aside Us And Them to score by four and a half lengths. Voix Du Reve was third, with Mengli Khan only fourth.
O'Brien said: "Mark gave him a lovely ride and he jumped very well. The last day he ran a cracker, but I think the tempo of a two-mile race probably suited him better.
"He was good over hurdles, but probably disappointed us slightly and since he's gone over fences he's been very good.
"The obvious thing to do would be to come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival. More than likely he's an Arkle horse."
He added: "Us And Them was always going to be better over fences than hurdles. He jumps fantastic and ran a cracker."
Racing Post Novice Steeplechase
2m 1f, Race Value: €90,000, Grade 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Yielding
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Le Richebourg (FR) 3/1 | M P Walsh 11-12 |
Joseph P O'Brien | 5 | |
| 2nd | 4½ | Us And Them (IRE) 16/1 | S A Shortall 11-12 |
Joseph P O'Brien | 5 |
| 3rd | nk | Voix Du Reve (FR) 9/4 | P Townend 11-12 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
| 4th | 1½ | Mengli Khan (IRE) 7/4f | D N Russell 11-12 |
G Elliott | 5 |
| 5th | 6½ | Mind's Eye (IRE) 12/1 | Rachael Blackmore 11-12 |
H De Bromhead | 6 |
| 6th | 4 | Ellie Mac (IRE) 12/1 | D J Mullins 11-5 |
H De Bromhead | 5 |
