JP McManus-owned Dinoblue 9-2 from 6 for Mares' Chase after Grade 3 win on her return

Dinoblue was cut to 9-2 (from 6) by Paddy Power for the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after victory in this Grade 3 chase, which proved the old adage to a tee about jumping being the name of the game.

However you boil it down, it was a good performance from the daughter of Doctor Dino, whose novice campaign featured wins at the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals and a second to Maskada in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham. 

Getting to the front before the straight under Mark Walsh, she galloped on resolutely and jumped soundly, pulling out even more on the climb to the line to hold off the strong staying runner-up Fil Dor by a length and three quarters.

Winning rider Walsh said: "Jumping is her biggest asset and you would have to be delighted with that. Hopefully she can be the type for the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham."

Those thoughts were echoed by Frank Berry, racing manager to winning owner JP McManus. He added: “That was grand. She did it well, jumped well and handled the ground. Mark was very happy with her. She was getting all the allowances and everything was in her favour. 

"She should come on again for that. I don't know where [winning trainer] Willie [Mullins] wants to go with her, but touch wood, hopefully we will get to the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham in one piece."

Dinoblue and Mark Walsh: winners at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann

Runner-up Fil Dor lost nothing in trying to give 7lb to the winner. His trainer Gordon Elliott said: “He jumped very well. He lost his confidence a bit last year. He had a good blow but he galloped all the way to the line. There will be plenty of fun to be had with him over 2m4f.”

It was a race of mixed fortunes for Mullins, who also saddled dual Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Gerhard. 

He continued his unsatisfactory relationship with fences, closing up coming to the second last as he was set to mount a strong challenge when suffering a fall at that fence.

Both he and rider Paul Townend rose quickly and were unscathed from a nasty-looking incident. 

Townend said: “On the way round I didn't think he could be jumping any better, he felt absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately he ended up on the ground. We'll have to see how he is but his confidence and everything did not need that.”

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