'He has come a long way in six months' – progressive Touch Me Not lands the Craddockstown for Gordon Elliott

For the second day in a row Gordon Elliott saddled the winner of the feature novice chase when stable outsider Touch Me Not put in a superb round of jumping to land the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase. 

Rider Sam Ewing was diverted to Punchestown from the cancelled meeting at Cork, and he will not have experienced a greater thrill than he did here. 

The five-year-old made all and took lengths out of his rivals at some of the fences, the only slight alarm being when he made to follow a loose horse for a stride or two and came close to running out four from home. But never was there a better example of a horse's jumping winning a race as he held off his better-fancied stablemate Farren Glory to win by six lengths.

Elliott said: "We got him from the point-to-point field. He actually fell in his point-to-point, believe it or not. 

"I was worried about the ground, but it was a good performance and he came on plenty from last time. 

"He was very keen as a young horse and didn't show me anything. He was well down the pecking order, but he's come a long way in six months. 

"He might not be easy to place at Christmas. The two-mile race at Leopardstown is not there anymore and I don't think the Grade 1 at Limerick would suit. We'll get him home and see."

Kalypso new Cheltenham favourite

It was another good weekend for Cullentra, and one of their best was served very late as track newcomer Kalypso'chance was introduced as 6-1 favourite for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper by Paddy Power after spread-eagling his opposition in the finale. 

In a race run at a searching gallop, the son of Masked Marvel was the only one left galloping at the line under Harry Swan as he scored by a widening 15 lengths from Soir De Garde.

Elliott said: "He has a good attitude and you’d like the way he dropped his head and galloped to the line. He looked flat out halfway down the back. 

"He’ll stay in bumpers this season and he’s a next-year horse really."

Kalypso'chance and Harry Swan leave their rivals trailing in the concluding bumperCredit: Patrick McCann

Finally a bit of Joy

It has taken a while, but things are starting to come together for 2021 Swedish St Leger winner Lot Of Joy as a hurdler, and she progressed again to land the Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

She got a freebie in front, but still had to be good enough to exploit it and she did just that in beating stablemate Risk Belle by a comfortable four lengths. 

Mullins said: "I think she enjoyed being left alone in front and Paul was happy with her. We didn’t think she'd handle that ground, so it’s good to know she can and that we can continue with her instead of putting her away.

"She could go to Leopardstown and I wouldn’t mind stepping up in trip. She has to improve a bit but we’ll give her the opportunity."

Morris still a player

It was good to see Mouse Morris back in the winner's enclosure at a big meeting as Franciscan Rock put up a good performance to land the Pertemps qualifier, and last season's Coral Cup fifth now looks a likely sort to go for the final at Cheltenham. 

The result was also another big winner for rider Gavin Brouder after his Troytown Chase victory the previous weekend on Stuzzikini.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.