Magic Daze rounds off a spectacular weekend for the mares with chase win

Sunday: Cork

Mares have made their mark in novice chases over the weekend, and after the brilliant performance of Riviere D'Etel in the Grade 2 at Punchestown on Saturday, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Magic Daze took centre stage with a dominant performance in a well-contested mares' beginners' chase.

The two could clash in the Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase at Cork next month.

Under Darragh O'Keeffe, Magic Daze, runner-up in the mares' novice hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival, put in a fluent display of jumping to win by 25 lengths from Darrens Hope and Sayce Gold, the latter two both having scored in Graded novice hurdles last season.

The smile on O'Keeffe's face was even broader than the one he bore after winning on French Dynamite at Punchestown the previous day.

De Bromhead's assistant Davy Roche said: "She's always been really good to jump from day one. All of ours have stepped forward from their first run and she has come on a lot since Galway.

"She had some good mares behind her today. We'll step up in grade now and see where we are; there's one here next month."

Magic Daze was cut to 14-1 (from 33) for the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Epson impresses

A good day for De Bromhead's Knockeen yard got even better when the Gigginstown-owned Epson Du Houx put himself in line for some of the bigger Graded 2m handicap chases with an impressive performance in the feature.

The French-bred jumped well from the front for Shane Fitzgerald and stayed on strongly to see off a number of challengers to win by four lengths from Golden Jewel.

Roche said: "That was really good, he really jumped well for Shane. It was surprising that he won first time out, and to do that he looks to have improved a bit. He's a fine big horse and loves jumping."

Hayes heroics

Brian Hayes is one rider taking every opportunity sent his way by Willie Mullins and was seen to good effect when landing the second 2m handicap hurdle on the progressive Dads Lad.

The six-year-old was following up a victory in a qualified riders' maiden hurdle at Sligo the previous month, but this was more impressive as he travelled strongly throughout.

The only worry once he hit the front was when he almost came out of the rider's hands jumping the last, but he had enough momentum to overcome a severe nod on landing to win by two and three-quarter lengths from Crassus.

Hayes said: "He had a nice win at Sligo but this is the first time he's really settled. He jumped great for a horse running in his first handicap, so I'm delighted with that."

Results, replays and analysis

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