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Richebourg grabs another Leopardstown Grade 1

Le Richebourg jumps into the lead as Voix Du Reve (centre) falls with Us And Them nearestLe Richebourg jumps into the lead as Voix Du Reve (centre) falls with Us And Them nearest
© Photo Healy Racing

Le Richebourg recorded a Grade 1 double at Leopardstown when claiming the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase this afternoon.

Joseph O'Brien 's charge excelled when dropped back to two-miles-one at the Christmas meeting here at the Dublin track and repeated the dose today.

Mark Walsh tracked the leaders into the straight on the 11/10 favourite before launching his challenge going to the final fence.

He had just gained a narrow advantage at the last when rival Voix Du Reve crashed out.

The hotpot came home strongly to record a seven-length success over stable-mate Us And Them

“He jumped well on the whole and when he had to clever he was. Mark gave him a lovely ride and he was very cool on him,” said O'Brien.

“There was a bit of drama throughout the race. I was delighted he was able to avoid that and he put in a good round of jumping.

“They went strong and fast and it tested a lot of horses' jumping. He was good an clever at the last.

“Obviously he made a little mistake at the last here at Christmas and it was good to see him learn from that.

“A bit of nice ground is important to him. He was a good hurdler, he was fifth in the Galway Hurdle and we were a bit disappointed with him but the form of the race has worked out unbelievably well since.

“He's very exciting and I'm delighted. He's won over two-and-a-half so he can go two-and-a-half. It think he needs a strong pace and we'll stick at two for the time being.

“We'll see how he comes out of it but the Arkle now would make a lot of sense.

“It's going to be an even bigger test there and there'll probably go even faster. I couldn't be happier and winning a Grade 1 is massive.

“Us And Them ran a cracker and he jumps well. He's an outstanding jumper and would have a chance of going to the Arkle as well. Aintree might suit him too.

“We'll see how they come out of it and make a plan then.”

Unibet made the winner 7/2 favourite, from 6/1, for the Arkle at Cheltenham while Paddypower are 9/2 from 13/2.

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.