Review leopardstown 26th Dec

< Blackstairmountain collared overseas raider Notus De La Tour close home to land the feature Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

David Pipe looked set for a quick Grade One double in the wake of Grands Crus' Kempton strike when Notus De La Tour led on the final bend, but Paul Townend had the move covered.

There wasn't much between ther pair at the final fence and it was Blackstairmountain (9-2) who proved the stronger, forging clear to win by two and a quarter lengths for the Willie Mullins team.

The race was deprived of some of its lustre when odds-on favourite Bog Warrior fell before the contest had begun in earnest.< His Excellency s tail was whirling round like a propellor as Davy Russell gave him a masterful ride for his first victory over obstacles in the United Arab Emirates Embassy Juvenile Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott's enigmatic three-year-old (8-1) was delivered late and urged on with only hands and heels to hold One Cool Shabra by half a length in the Grade Two contest. Favourite Sam Bass broke down badly.

Russell won in the same Gigginstown House Stud colours on Midnight Game who finished fourth in the Royal Bond at Grade One level last time and appreciated the drop in class to take the United Arab Emirates Embassy 4YO Maiden Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' charge looked to be travelling best going to the last, but the 11-10 favourite didn't produce a great deal and beat Joxer by only half a length.

Christy Roche's Thurles bumper winner Touch Back (9-4) looked a promising recruit to jumps as he landed an impressive victory in the racingpost.com Maiden Hurdle under Alan Crowe, asserting on the run-in to win by four and three-quarter lengths.

It was all change after the last in the Racing Post All You Need For Irish Racing Handicap Chase as Paul Nolan's Arklow Ger (20-1) found plenty to catch Jigalo and score by a neck under Robbie Power.