Progressive Hercule Du Seuil holds off unbeaten Elliott pair for Graded triumph

Sunday: Navan

Willie Mullins may think that Gordon Elliott's charges have the fitness advantage at the moment, but the performance of Hercule Du Seuil in seeing off two unbeaten Elliott horses shows the champion trainer's are not far behind.

The son of Saddler Maker came into the Grade 3 Gibney's For Auction Novice Hurdle on the back of a bloodless maiden success at Tipperary in October, and connections will have learned far more from this performance.

The five-year-old jumped well from the front under Mark Walsh, although a mistake at the last opened the door for the chasing pack. However, try as Imagine and the staying-on Three Card Brag might, they could not get to grips with the winner, who stayed on bravely to score by three-quarters of a length.

Mullins said: "We had him out early because he likes nicer ground. He's a front-runner but a really good jumper. Turning for home with the group chasing him, I still thought Mark would get half a length at the last three hurdles, but then he missed the last and I thought the game was up.

"I was delighted with the way our fellow put his head down and battled. It's the sign of a good horse.

"He could possibly be an Arkle contender next season. He's very exuberant. At the top of the hill, Mark was not sure that he could do what he did, so was delighted and surprised with what the horse managed to pull out. It just showed what there is under the bonnet and he can only improve."

BoyleSports introduced him into the Supreme Novices' Hurdle market at 20-1.

Guinness flows

There was no bigger disappointment on the day than the withdrawal of last season's unbeaten novice chaser Ferny Hollow from the Fortria Chase, with Mullins unwilling to risk him this early on ground he felt was too lively.

With Epson Du Houx and Fastorslow also withdrawn, it left just four runners for the Grade 2 race and it was front-runner Captain Guinness who took advantage under a fine tactical ride by Rachael Blackmore.

The key was a good round of jumping, while runner-up and odds-on favourite Riviere D'Etel blew her chance with a bad mistake two out. There was just a length and a half in it at the line.

Captain Guinness clears the last to win the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, completing his second double of the weekend, said: "We had targeted this race from the summer, it seemed right for him. He is some horse to jump and the lady on him was brilliant.

"He's a really good horse and was giving away plenty of weight. We would love to win a Grade 1 with him. We'll give him an entry in the Tingle Creek, he really seemed to enjoy it around there last year when he was third."

De Bromhead and Blackmore also teamed up to win the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle with the Chris Jones-owned Spirit Of Legend. The son of Kapgarde proved the only one able to reel in and stay in front of early leader Kilbree Warrior to score by one and a quarter lengths.

No Hollow victory for Games

Hollow Games showed that chasing is his future with an impressive first foray over fences under Jack Kennedy in the 2m1f beginners' chase.

The comfortable success completed a double for Elliott after Maxxum and Davy Russell landed the 2m6f handicap hurdle by nine lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

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