SUNDAY

  • Sub Lieutenant won the Grade 3 Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase over two and a half miles, a second graded success for the Sandra Hughes-trained seven-year-old and his first one over fences. The son of Longford House Stud stallion Brian Boru (by Sadler's Wells) was bred by Edmond Coleman, he is out of Satellite Dancer (by Satco), and that makes him a half-brother to 2014's Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere (by Oscar).

  • Venitien De Mai justified favouritism in the Grade B Woodlands 100 Club Leinster National Handicap Chase over three miles at Naas. The Jim Dreaper-trained seven-year-old was bred in France by Jean-Yves Touzaint, he is a son of Haras d'Enki stallion Network (by Monsun), and his dual-winning dam Meylba (by Grand Tresor) is related to the 15-times scorer Ugenie (by Le Pontet).

  • Sutton Place sprang a 12/1 surprise in the Listed Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle over two miles at Naas, a first win over obstacles for the son of Beeches Stud stallion Mahler (by Galileo). Trained by Gordon Elliott and bred by James Leahy, the five-year-old is a half-brother to the bumper and dual hurdles scorer Allez Encore (by Turtle Island). His dam Glebe Beauty (by Good Thyne) is a half-sister to the graded winners Lord Who (by Mister Lord) and Measureofmydreams (by Shantou), the latter of whom I reviewed in the 20th February 2016 edition of The Irish Field.

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    SATURDAY

  • Sametegal won the Grade 3 StanJames.com Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase over two and a half miles at Newbury, a second blacktype success for the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old and his first one over fences. Bred in France by Pierre de Maleissye Melun and partners, he is a son of the Haras d'Etreham stallion Saint Des Saints (by Cadoudal) and out of Loya Escribaa (by Robin Des Champs), which makes him a half-brother to the Grade 2-winning chaser Ainsi Fideles (by Dream Well).

  • Toon River won the Grade B Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase, his second consecutive victory in that two and a quarter mile Gowran Park event. Trained by Mary Louise Hallahan and bred by Michael O'Donovan, the 11-year-old is a son of the late Old Road Stud stallion Witness Box (by Lyphard). His unraced dam Melody Thyne (by Good Thyne) comes from the family of the talented chasers Rambling Artist, Rambling Minster (by Minster Son) and Belle Artiste.

  • The Organist took her record to three wins from four starts over obstacles when winning the Listed BetBright Mares' Novices' Hurdle over three miles, half a furlong at Doncaster. The Oliver Sherwood-trained five-year-old was bred by John Browne, and she is a daughter of Ballycurragh Stud stallion Alkaadhem (by Green Desert). Her dam Go On Eileen (by Bob Back) is a hurdles-winning half-sister to the blacktype-placed Reine Des Reines (by Supreme Leader), and she is also responsible for the Grade 1 Champion Bumper runner-up Regal Encore (by King's Theatre).

  • Haalick became the third stakes winner from the first crop of Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas scorer Roderic O'Connor (by Galileo) when taking the Listed 32Red Spring Cup over seven furlongs at Lingfield. A stakes-placed winner as a juvenile, the Roger Varian-trained colt was bred by Storway Ltd, he is out of the blacktype winner Lucky Pipit (by Key Of Luck) and his grandam is the 10-furlong listed scorer Meadow Pipit (by Meadowlake). Roderic O'Connor spent four years at Ballyhane Stud and is currently in his first season at the National Stud in Newmarket.