News

Sir Des Champs looked every inch the Cheltenham contender when coming home in the Boylesports.com Bet On Your Mobile Novice Chase at Leopardstown today.

Davy Russell rode the even money favourite to victory over outsider Fists of Fury and Hidden Cyclone, atoning for an error at the last hurdle to prevail by a half a length in the end.

Sir Des Champs was Mullins’ third victorious horse from the first three races at the Foxrock track with 2/1 favourite Aupcharlie and 7/4 shot Darroun, mounted by JOE columnist Paul Townend, claimed earlier successes.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Citizenship came in at a pretty 10/1 in the Boylesports.com hurdle at 2.45, while Ted Walsh had two winners on the day, Seabass, with daughter Katie on board, winning the Leopardstown Chase and Colbert Station coming home in the second last at 10/1.

Across the pond in Cheltenham, raging hot favourite Big Buck’s maintained his magnificent record, winning the Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle for his 15th successive victory over hurdles.

Paul Nicholls’ nine year old prevailed by seven lengths in the end with Ruby Walsh on board but was pushed all the way by runner up Dynaste, who led by five lengths going into the home stretch.

Elsewhere at Prestbury Park, it was a good day for trainer Alan King and jockey Wayne Hutchinson, who had three winners with Grumeti and Bless the Wings in the first and second races of the day and with Batonnier in the Neptune Investment Management Novice’s hurdle.

Our tips for the day, Tamarinbleu and Captain Chris, were well off the pace in the Murphy Group Chase and the Argento Chase, which were claimed by The Giant Bolster and Midnight Chase respectively, while the last of the day, the very timely Stellar Football ‘End of Transfer Window’ Handicap Hurdle, was claimed by 6/1 shot Module.