Appreciate It lays down Arkle marker with successful chase debut

Monday: Punchestown

Moments after the victory of Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan, Willie Mullins was excusing himself from the press pack as his attentions turned towards the 2m beginners' chase, which 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Appreciate It dominated on his first attempt over fences.

The son of Jeremy, having just his second run since that Cheltenham triumph, had to pull out a bit to see off runner-up Top Bandit, but was ultimately full value for the seven-length victory.

Mullins said: "He did that nicely. He went out and did his own work in front, he was very idle out there. Jack Kennedy [on Top Bandit] kept him honest as well over the last two fences so I couldn't have asked for any better."

He added: "It was only two miles and it is probably too close to Christmas but we will see how he comes out of it. I imagine we will try to find something for him before the Dublin Racing Festival. He would be very much in my head as being an Arkle type."

There could well be some competition for that accolade at Closutton, with the likes of El Fabiolo and Flame Bearer soon to make their reappearances. In the meantime, Appreciate It hardened to 4-1 (from 5) with Paddy Power for the Sporting Life Arkle.

Saylavee gets back to winning ways

Saylavee consigned a disappointing effort at Down Royal in November to history as she resumed winning ways in the 2m3½f Listed novice hurdle for mares.

She was given an enterprising ride by champion jockey Paul Townend, who plotted a wide path from early in the race with the five-year-old responding well to being on her own. She kept on well to see off Bella Scintilla and odds-on favourite Harmonya Maker by two and a half lengths and a head.

After the daughter of Shantou was trimmed to 14-1 (from 33) for the Mares' Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham by Paddy Power, winning trainer Mullins said: "She disappointed us at Down Royal, but that showed a nice bit of improvement and it is nice to get some black type with her."

He added: "Paul was very good on her. He felt that she was a little quiet going down to the start and in the early part of the race. He thought she didn't like being among horses and when he pulled her wide she started to come alive. Sometimes horses don't like the muck flying back in their faces and she might just be one of those. We'll give her another spin or two; she's improving."

Slade Steel impresses on debut

One of the best performances on the day was saved until last as the Henry de Bromhead-trained Slade Steel entered the frame as a potential contender for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with a taking display in the 2m contest.

A point-to-point winner in May, the son of Telescope had to overcome adversity here as he was carried wide off the home bend, but showed a sharp turn of foot as John Gleeson guided him to the front inside the last furlong, and from there he scraped to a half-length victory over the Willie Mullins pair Captain Cody and odds-on favourite Blizzard Of Oz.

Former rider Robbie Power, representing the winning trainer, said: "He's very nice. He won a point-to-point in the spring and we have really liked him since he came to us. He does everything nicely and has plenty of pace, it was a lovely starting point."

He added: "He will stay in bumpers this season and he will have one more run, two at the most, and he will make a lovely novice hurdler next season. I don't know if Robcour want to go for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, there is also the Grade 1 bumper at the festival here, there are lots of options. John said he was very green and ran in snatches in places. He will improve a lot for it."

Results, replays and analysis

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