Blue Lord survives stewards' inquiry as brave Riviere D'Etel runs him close

Saturday: Leopardstown

Blue Lord maintained his position at the head of the market for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he had to survive a stewards' inquiry and a determined effort from runner-up Riviere D'Etel to keep his unbeaten record over fences.

The Patrick Ward Solicitors Irish Arkle victory gave champion trainer Willie Mullins a clean sweep of the first three Grade 1 contests on the card and Paul Townend a second Grade 1 of the afternoon.

Townend settled his mount off the pace as his bold-jumping stable companion Saint Sam set a very solid early gallop. He had a few lengths to make up when Riviere D'Etel went to the front between the last two fences and once he got to his rival coming to the last the two began to get up close and personal.

Riviere D'Etel jumped across Blue Lord when making a mistake at the last, and on the run-in Blue Lord veered left and came across the runner-up. Gordon Elliott's mare rallied strongly close home to cut the deficit to half a length which was also going to make the inquiry interesting, but in the end the result was allowed to stand.

Riviere D'Etel makes a crucial mistake at the last with Blue Lord in pursuitCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Blue Lord remains 11-4 favourite for the Sporting Life-backed Arkle at Cheltenham with both Paddy Power and BoyleSports, while the latter firm cut Riviere D'Etel to 4-1 (from 6) for the Arkle.

2.10 Leopardstown: full result and replay

Mullins said: “He was under pressure turning for home but once Paul got him running going to the last I thought it was just a matter of jumping the last. Paul said that once he got there he did what he did at Naas and was just idling. Between the wind and the crowd here today, he was looking around a good bit. I was very happy with that performance.”

Elliott was similarly happy with the Jack Kennedy-ridden runner-up. He said: “She looked the best horse in the race to me. She made a mistake at the last and it cost her, she has been beaten a neck and has had her ground taken. We'll discuss where we go next with her but I certainly wouldn't be put off going for the Arkle.”

There was a sting in the tail for Kennedy, who was hit with a four-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Early leader Saint Sam stayed on in good fashion to finish third, three and three-quarter lengths off the runner-up. The third of the Mullins runners Haut En Couleurs emerged unscathed from a fall early on the final circuit, as did rider Bryan Cooper.

Sporting Life Arkle Novices' Chase (2.10 Cheltenham, March 15)

Paddy Power: 11-4 Blue Lord, 3 Edwardstone, 4 Riviere D'Etel, 8 Third Time Lucki, 10 Saint Sam, Haut En Couleurs, 16 bar

Read more Saturday reports:

Irish Gold Cup: 'I said he'd win or pull up' - Elliott joy as Conflated shocks Gold Cup rivals

Expert jury: 'He was wildly impressive and is one of the most fluent jumpers around'

Spring Juvenile Hurdle: Vauban vying for Triumph Hurdle favouritism after awesome Spring Juvenile win

Leopardstown: 'It was a fantastic performance' - Minella Cocooner slashed for Albert Bartlett

Scilly Isles: 'I gave it a Superman' - Deutsch delight at first Grade 1 with L'Homme Presse

Sandown: Josh Moore enjoys first success of comeback and rewards punter's £75,000 bet

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