Mixed fortunes for Ireland's top two

There were a couple of races of interest at Naas on Monday with Ireland's top two trainers, namely Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, enduring and enjoying very different levels of success. The champion suffered a disappointing day with a blank from seven runners, including last season's leading bumper performer Bambino Fever only finishing second on her hurdles bow in the two miles mares' maiden hurdle. The Closutton team fielded three runners in the opening beginners chase but only manage second and third, including Funiculi Funicula who gained a bronze medal with a rather lacklustre first run over fences. 

In contrast, it was another excellent day at the office for the Cullentra outfit with 3 more winners from their nine runners. Elliott has sent out 16 winners in Ireland and another four in the UK during December with his string in rampant form. Oldschool Outlaw lowered the colours of the aforementioned Bambino Fever and has proved a shrewd acquisition to her new yard having shown a good level of ability last term when handled by Gary Caldwell. A Listed bumper winner at Navan on her first run for Elliott last month, she looks set to take high rank amongst the mares' novice hurdle division if her performance here is anything to go by. Leading soon after the third last, the daughter of Walk In The Park withstood the persisent challenge of last season's Festival bumper winner scoring by half a length. The runner-up will doubtless improve for the outing but there didn't appear to be any fluke about it. A half-sister to Alan King's 132 rated hurdler Castle Carrock, she is a smart mare. 

While no match for the front two, there was plenty to like about the run from Cornelienne in fourth. Featured in the French Revolution section and sent off 25/1 for her hurdles debut, Joseph O'Brien's new recruit had a spin on the Flat at Dundalk (off 379 days) less than three weeks ago and that evidently blew away the cobwebs. Bought for €250,000 over a year ago, the Golden Horn filly has been given time to settle in and this was a most encouraging display staying on under tender handling having been patiently ridden. Beaten a dozen lengths, she ought to be hard to beat in a similar event next time.

I am continuing to work on the Christmas Special, which will be emailed to clients on Tuesday 23rd December. Please head to the Publications section of the site to order a copy, if you haven't already done so. There will be full analysis of the feature events over the Festive period, including the King George at Kempton, Welsh National at Chepstow and Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. I will also provide an update on the principal featured horses in One Jump Ahead and their likely targets over the coming weeks.