Review naas 6th Jan

< Rule The World put up an impressive performance to land a hot renewal of the Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas without being asked a question.

Davy Russell was content to sit in third place on Mouse Morris's 7-1 shot as the race developed, with long odds-on favourite Champagne Fever hustled along by Minsk up front for most of the way in the Grade Two contest.

Champagne Fever was the first to crack - he was later reported to have a respiratory tract infection - and though Minsk went on, Rule The World was only cantering behind him and he eased to the front approaching the last before coasting in by 16 lengths.

Willie Mullins had better luck with another odds-on shot when Marito (4-6 favourite) got the better of Mount Benbulben in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

The seven-year-old jumped ahead at the fifth-last, but Ruby Walsh had to pull out the stops as Mount Benbulben threw down a strong challenge up the run-in, and there was only a head in it at the line.

Walsh looked to have everything under control throughout the Annual Membership At Naas Maiden Hurdle on Mullins' Upazo another odds-on favourite, but he found nothing when tackled by Jarlath Fahey's 6-1 shot Jennies Jewel who was driven past by Ian McCarthy to win by two lengths.

Most of the field held every chance at the second-last in the Tipper Road Handicap Chase and it was the Philip Rothwell-trained Beneficial Spirit (10-1) who proved strongest, responding to Brian O'Connell's driving to win by three lengths.

The odds-on Our Girl Salley finished second for the fourth time in a row when she was just run out of it by the Noel Kelly-trained Charlie's Vic (15-2) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase. Claimer Derek Fox rode the winner, who scored by a neck.