Grangeclare West Shines in Neville Hotels Novice Chase

Potential Unleashed:

In a stunning display of talent and promise, Grangeclare West showcased his true worth at the Neville Hotels Novice Chase held at Leopardstown. Despite a rollercoaster season plagued by disappointment, this seven-year-old gelding proved that he has what it takes to compete among the top contenders.

A Promising Start:

Cheveley Park Stud secured Grangeclare West for an impressive £430,000 price tag after his victorious point-to-point debut. Under the guidance of champion trainer Willie Mullins, he continued to impress with wins in a Punchestown bumper and a maiden hurdle at Navan.

Bumps on the Road:

However, as the season progressed, setbacks emerged for Grangeclare West as he disappointed in consecutive Grade One races at Naas and Leopardstown. Although he managed to secure a victory when given lower-level competition at Punchestown last spring, doubts surrounded his abilities entering the current campaign.

A Triumphant Return:

All uncertainties were put to rest when Grangeclare West made his chasing debut last month at Naas. With jockey Paul Townend aboard, this Presenting gelding displayed exceptional travel and jumping skills throughout the race before comfortably taking control around the final turn.

A Natural Talent:

Paul Townend, who also rode the impressive Savills Chase winner Galopin Des Champs, utilized his expertise by positioning Grangeclare West towards the stands’ side rail in the home straight. The duo flawlessly cleared the last fence and secured a six-length victory over favored runner Corbetts Cross without exerting maximum effort.

Staying Power Tested:

Flooring Porter, a dual Stayers’ Hurdle champion, initially maintained its customary lead throughout most of the three-mile race. However, in the straight stretch, it faltered and finished well behind in third place.

Mullins Delighted:

In light of Grangeclare West’s outstanding performance at Leopardstown, trainer Willie Mullins expressed his surprise and satisfaction with such an exemplary showing against top-tier competition. He commended Paul Townend for managing Grangeclare West’s energy levels effectively during the demanding three-mile run.

Potential Targets Ahead:

Looking ahead to future races, Paddy Power has installed Grangeclare West as their favorite at odds of 4-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham Festival. Mullins confirmed this race as a likely target for his talented gelding while considering potential alternatives based on Fact To File’s recent success at Leopardstown.

Klassical Dream Out of Action:

In unfortunate news, another high-class novice chaser from Mullins’ yard named Klassical Dream will miss out on further competitions due to injury sustained while preparing for this particular race. The team plans to allow ample time for the injury to heal before making any decisions regarding Klassical Dream’s future.

Ballyburn Leads Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Odds:

At Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, Ballyburn showcased its brilliance and emerged as the clear favorite for the upcoming Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Trained by Willie Mullins, this five-year-old displayed dominance over its rivals in a commanding victory during the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.