Karoline Banbou books Cheltenham ticket

There were a couple of short priced featured winners in One Jump Ahead, including Karoline Banbou's bloodless success in the mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. Featured in the French Revolution section, the No Risk At All filly had raced too keenly on her Irish debut at Naas in December before being caught close home by stablemate Baby Kate. Absent for 51 days, she was sent to the front from the outset by Mark Walsh on this occasion. Once again, she raced enthusiastically but appeared to have the measure of Swing Davis when Gordon Elliott's runner departed at the second last. Left in a clear lead, she won eased down by two and a quarter lengths and is now as short as 6/1 for the Grade 2 mares' novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Much more will be required next month but she is unexposed and held in high regard by Willie Mullins. 

Harry Derham's horses are in much better nick - 4 winners during February - than they were for the majority of last month and Viyanni made it two wins from three starts over obstacles in the juvenile hurdle at Ludlow. Highlighted in the Changing Codes section of OJA, the ex-Johnny Murtagh trained four year old had chased home Lulamba and Mondo Man at Ascot last time. There was nothing of that pair's calibre in opposition at the Shropshire track, although the gelded son of Almanzor had to be pushed out to beat Mister Cessna by a length and a quarter. Entered in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, he is more likely to contest the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle on day one of the Festival.