Notebook leaps into Arkle picture with fine display in Racing Post Novice Chase

A race billed as a match proved to be anything but with 7-1 shot Notebook delivering a brilliant round of jumping to land the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase under Rachael Blackmore.

Laurina, who was sent off the 11-10 favourite, was a bitter disappointment, failing to complete after jumping poorly virtually throughout and being pulled up before the final fence when tailed off.

An excuse for her display emerged afterwards when the Willie Mullins-trained mare was subsequently reported to have bled.

Fakir D'Oudairies, winner of the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse on his previous start, fared better when getting to within one and a half lengths of the winner.

But it was unquestionably Notebook's day, and trainer Henry de Bromhead described the six-year-old's performance as "electric".

De Bromhead, whose previous success in the race came ten years ago with Sizing Europe, said: "We were hoping for a big run but when you dream like that it can come back and smack you in the face. Rachael gave him a brilliant ride and the horse was impressive."

"I think it was the first fence down the back that he took off outside the wings and my heart was in my mouth, but he’s quick when he’s in close as well.

Notebook: strikes in the Racing Post Novice Chase under Rachael BlackmoreCredit: Patrick McCann

He added: “They went some gallop and that really suited him. He loves to gallop at speed.

“He can get a bit wound up. I think those two milers need to be half cracked to do what they do. They need that bit of madness to jump."

Notebook, who is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, is now unbeaten in three starts over fences having won a beginners' chase and a Grade 2 event at Punchestown prior to this success.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting the winner to 5-1 (from 16-1) for the Racing Post Arkle at Cheltenham, while BoyleSports go 6-1.

Fakir D'Oudairies, who would have run the winner closer with a better leap at the final fence, remains 5-1 with BoyleSports for the same race at Cheltenham.

Since the turn of the century four winners of this Grade 1 contest – Moscow Flyer, Sizing Europe, Douvan and Footpad – all went on to festival glory in the Arkle.

Regarding plans for Notebook, De Bromhead added: "I'd imagine the Arkle back here at the Dublin Racing Festival in February would be the logical step, but we'll see how he comes out of today's race and talk things over with Michael and Eddie O'Leary."

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