Allegorie De Vassy looks another top mare for the Riccis

Forty eight hours after Lossiemouth cemented her position at the head of the Triumph Hurdle at Leopardstown, another filly owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, namely Allegorie De Vassy made a spectacular start to her fencing career when winning the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares' Novice Chase by 19 lengths. The ex-French mare jumped superbly gaining lengths at her obstacles and looks a top-class prospect going forward. Even though she got in tight to the final couple of fences, she never looked like hitting the deck and is now a warm order for the mares' chase at Cheltenham in March. The Ricci's have been responsible for some very good mares including Annie Power and Benie Des Dieux and the five year old looks another. Denied a trip to Gloucestershire last spring, it will take a good one to stop her this time around.

Stablemate Ile Atlantique, who is featured in the Top 40 Prospects, was widely available at 2/1 on Tuesday evening for the bumper at Leopardstown and the French import scored by two and a quarter lengths under Patrick Mullins. The four year old had reportedly impressed at home beforehand and the Closutton team were expecting a big performance. Pushed out to beat winning pointer Feronily, he is likely to be sent hurdling now having already run over obstacles at Auteuil. He is a fine long-term prospect who will come into his own fences eventually.

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers continue in tremendous form with Deep Cave (11/4) winning the two and a half miles maiden hurdle at the Dublin track. Runner-up behind Absolute Notions at Punchestown last month, Henry De Bromhead's charge was ridden with more restraint here and stayed on well to lead close home by half a length. He will have no trouble staying further and is another nice youngster.