Walsh thrilled with Sceaux spin
He was thrilled that the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old put in an excellent round of jumping when making all the running in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
In doing so, Un De Sceaux boosted his prospects for the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in March for which he is one of the ante-post favourites along with stablemate Vautour.
“That was just what we wanted from Un de Sceaux. To get the job done,” Walsh said in his blog on www. paddypower.com.
“He jumped like a buck – bar over-jumping the first, but he learned from it. He was more or less foot perfect after that. He’s learning all the time and I was very pleased with him as the ground was testing.
“I’ll leave the hard job of where he’s going to go next to his trainer Willie Mullins.
“I’d imagine he’ll try to get one more run into him at least before a tilt at the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham next March.”
Meanwhile Mullins’ Faugheen stars in a potential field of seven for the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day after the race was reopened.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old remains unbeaten in seven starts under Rules and confirmed his well-being with a victory at Ascot last month.
A fascinating clash is in store with Paul Nicholls entering Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Irving.
Nicky Henderson is set to run the unexposed Sign Of A Victory, who created a strong impression when winning a handicap at Ascot from stablemate Dawalan, while John Ferguson can call on Elite Hurdle victor Purple Bay.
Recent chasing debutant Sgt Reckless could return to the smaller obstacles for Mick Channon.
Blue Heron represents Dan Skelton, with Nick Williams calling on Hint Of Mint.
Carlingford Lough could be in line for a return to action in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown should he please connections in a final piece of work on Tuesday.
The John Kiely-trained eight-year-old, winner of the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April, has been sidelined with a setback that caused him to miss the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal but could return for the big race on December 28.
One of the leading novice chasers in Ireland last season, he also won the Topaz Novice Chase from Morning Assembly, but was only sixth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
“It’s all good so far. He’ll be doing his last bit on Tuesday morning. If all goes well he’ll go there (Lexus),” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.
“He’s been ticking over, he’ll work on Tuesday and we’ll see how he is.”
John Hanlon is delighted with the form of Hidden Cyclone ahead of his appearance at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Hanlon’s string were out of form for the large majority of last season but there was one bright spark, the performances of Hidden Cyclone.
Second in three Grade Ones, as well as being third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, he produced a string of creditable efforts in the best company,.
Now Hanlon’s horses are in rude health the trainer hopes to finally land the big pot he feels the nine-year-old deserves in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase, a race he was runner-up in 12 months ago to Benefficient.
Unfortunately he has fallen in his last two races but Hanlon has given him plenty of practice since.
“He’s in great form. We worked him at the Curragh (on Saturday) and he also jumped. I couldn’t be happier with him and he’ll run in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase,” said Hanlon.
“He’s had two good schools now. He also schooled after the point-to-point in Borris House last Sunday, where the ground was beautiful.
“My horses were sick last year and they are proving they were sick. All the horses that were running well last year are winning now.
“Hidden Cyclone has never looked as well as he does now. He was second in three Grade Ones last year so hopefully he gets one this year.”
More Of That could be back on the track in February after undergoing a wind operation.
Connections decided to take that course of action after the Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero made a disappointing return to action at Newbury last month.
Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old looked a potential star after defeating Annie Power in a pulsating contest at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but lost his unbeaten record as he trailed home a distant third behind Medinas in the Long Distance Hurdle.
“He’s coming along fine. He had a little wind op and he’s back on track again now,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.
“It will be five or six weeks’ time somewhere probably.”
