Appreciate It lands first victory in two years as he leads home a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins in Thurles feature

Appreciate It got his head in front for the first time in two years to give Willie Mullins a fifth success in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase since 2020, thundering six lengths clear to lead home a 1-2-3 for Closutton.

The 11-year-old looked a rare talent when landing the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle by 24 lengths, but things haven't really gone to plan since, especially last season despite an encouraging comeback run behind Fastorslow in the John Durkan, while he was well held in third in this race 12 months ago.

Appreciate It had been soundly beaten in two previous efforts this season in the Hilly Way at Cork and at Tramore over a longer trip 18 days ago, but the return to good ground led to a much improved performance under Sean O'Keeffe.

O'Keeffe began to ask his mount some questions after two out and he moved into third, but Appreciate It was briefly outpaced as his two stablemates, 7-4 favourite Blood Destiny and 11-2 shot Classic Getaway, began to up the tempo on the front end.

However, the winner made relentless headway on the stands' side as they straightened up and he touched down after the last with a slight lead before storming away to score at 6-1 from Classic Getaway, with Blood Destiny a further two and a half lengths back in third.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: "It's brilliant for him to win such a prestigious race and he loved the ground. He split Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan last season. He's always had a high level of form, but he probably missed his prime when he got injured after the Supreme.

"He was beaten only five lengths in the Punchestown Gold Cup last season too, but he just hasn't been hitting the back of the net very often. He's 11 now so it's very much the cherry on top and he could be one for something like the Topham. That intermediate distance suits him as he doesn't really stay three miles but jumps fantastically well."

He added: "Classic Getaway loves this track and ground. Paul [Townend] thought Blood Destiny just blew up on his first run back and that he'll improve a lot for it."

Nara: gets back to winning ways in the Grade 2 mares' novice chase under Mark WalshCredit: Patrick McCann

Nara back to winning ways

Nara landed her second success over fences in straightforward style when fending off Broomfield Bijou by two and a quarter lengths in the Grade 2 Carey Glass Mares Novice Chase under Mark Walsh for Henry de Bromhead.

The five-year-old got off the mark over the larger obstacles at Gowran in November before finishing runner-up to Only By Night at Cork and this was scheduled to be a rematch but that rival and Spindleberry were non-runners due to the going.

The withdrawals led to Nara going off the 6-5 favourite in the five-runner field and Walsh cut a confident figure throughout, albeit the runner-up was making a race of it approaching the last. However, Nara put in a nimble leap and saw out the extra distance with aplomb to score comfortably.

Walsh said: "She's still keen and jumped a bit better today, although she made a few novicey mistakes. Hopefully we can iron those out of her but she was good.

"She's only five and it was only her fourth run over fences so she's still learning."

Samui: completed a double for trainer Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott continues excellent run

Fresh from saddling a four-timer at Navan on Saturday, the Gordon Elliott stable continued in sparkling form as Scalpnagoon got off the mark in the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle, before Samui justified 2-1 favouritism in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Scalpnagoon had shaped with promise in two previous starts over hurdles and relished the step up in trip as he took over the lead at the second-last under Danny Gilligan and stayed on strongly to fend off Happy Me by a length and a quarter at odds of 15-8.

Elliott said: "He had a nice run the last day but I was a bit worried about the ground. Danny kept it simple and he'll jump a fence in the future."

Samui was back over hurdles having had a productive Flat campaign last year which included third-placed finishes in Listed company at Chester and Newmarket. This was his first run over jumps since last April but he showed little signs of rustiness as Carl Millar rode him with patience in the rear before coming with a withering run in the straight to prevail by a length and a quarter over Jazzy Matty.

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