Irish jump jockeys' title leader thriving in new role - and take note of another potential Ben Pauling star novice

O'Keeffe relishing number-one role

Conor Fennelly, Racing Post reporter at Down Royal

One of the stars of the two-day festival at Down Royal has been Darragh O'Keeffe, who continues to prove he's well equipped to fly the flag for Henry de Bromhead's stable after the retirement of Rachael Blackmore.

He’s 29 clear at the top of the Irish jump jockeys’ championship and, while he could be there on sufferance given the wealth of ammunition Paul Townend is set to partner in the months ahead, it shouldn’t be lost on anyone how high a level he’s operating at.

With 11 wins in the last fortnight, he's operating at a 29 per cent strike-rate and his front-running ride on Full Of Life on Friday was utterly sublime. Whether he's controlling the pace or sitting off it, he's equally as deadly and he partnered the winner of the feature race of the festival with another flawless steering performance on Envoi Allen in the Champion Chase.

Darragh O'Keeffe after winning his second Down Royal Champion ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

His effort last year on the same horse in the same race was one of the rides of the season and he was ice cold again this time, reigning his mount back after he jumped into the lead after three out before committing him after the second-last.

He made Lieber Nicc's success in a hugely competitive handicap hurdle look remarkably straightforward, which is what the best do. With De Bromhead's stable flying at the moment, O'Keeffe is seizing the opportunity spectacularly and he's set for a huge season.

Brixson one for the tracker

David Carr, Racing Post reporter at Wetherby

Craiglands Farm has been breaking new ground with winners on the Flat in each of the last three months but the yard from which Sue Smith gave Yorkshire its latest Grand National success remains primarily a jumping concern.

This is the time of season when it starts to hit form and Brixson is one inmate to look out for after an eye-catching return to action at Wetherby.

He is a half-brother to three winning jumpers and hinted strongly that he will emulate that trio as he ran on most encouragingly for second on his first outing in 11 months.

Joel Parkinson, who now shares the training licence at the yard high up in the hills above Bradford, revealed afterwards that the five-year-old had broken an elbow when falling at Huntingdon last December but recovered quickly and "is a lovely horse". Those are words to remember, from a man as immune to hype as his grandfather Harvey Smith.

Another chasing star for Pauling?

Jonathan Harding, Racing Post reporter at Ascot 

It is important not to get too carried away at this early stage of the season but it was impossible not to be impressed by the performance of No Questions Asked who, despite being the only horse in a three-runner field for the 2m3f handicap chase never to have jumped a fence in public, put in a really professional and assured round of jumping.

No Questions Asked jumps the last clear of Viroflay Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Bar losing a little momentum at the last, he did not miss a beat, stretching comfortably clear of smart hunter chaser Viroflay, who finished second to Its On The Line at the Punchestown festival. Ben Pauling has a promising group of novice chasers and believes No Questions Asked could be up with the best of them. It would be no surprise to see him take the step into Graded company in his stride, perhaps in the John Francome Novices' Chase, which the yard won last year with The Jukebox Man.

Read more:

'Aren't we so lucky to have him?' - Envoi Allen rolls back the years with historic third win in Champion Chase at Down Royal 

'I just couldn't believe it' - Willie Mullins conquers Del Mar as Ethical Diamond breaks course record in stunning Breeders' Cup Turf upset 

ICYMI: British stars to stay in training and $29.50 duck tacos - here’s what you might have missed at Del Mar on Saturday 

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