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Newlands no problem for Tranquil Sea.

Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Tranquil Seaenhanced both his reputation and his chances of winning this year's Ryanair Chase when showing his outstanding talent while landing this afternoon's Grade Two Newlands Chase at Leopardstown.

Leading at the second last, Edward O'Grady's eight-year-old pulled clear of his rivals approaching the last fence, and then thanks to an excellent jump, jockey Andrew Mcnamara was able to ease his way to a two length victory over Natal, with Snowy Morning putting in his customery late run to take third place.

A jubilant Edward O'Grady said in his post race interview:

"It is not often things go as well to plan as that. Hopefully it is now onwards and upwards, and I couldn't have asked for more. I must pay tribute to the owners who thought it was just as well to run for twenty sixe thousand euros as school after racing. Although I have to admit it gave me a bit of a delicate balancing act, as we wanted a bit of work from the run, but we didn't want him to have a hard race. In the circumstances it's worked out well. Hopefully he will also come on for the race, and that must give him a shout in the Ryanair."

Champion Hurdle a possibility for Dark horse.

Won in the Dark was a comprehensive victor in this afternoon's Ballsbridge Hurdle at Leopardstown, and he has now opened up the possibility of a Champion Hurdle run.

Comfortably cruising in behind leaders Beau Michael and Wild Passion, jockey Davy Russelll produced Won in the Dark at the penultimate flight, and after jumping the last in front, Sabrina Hary's stable star had his head in his chest as he scored by three lengths from the late finishing Head of the Posse.

Following the race, Sabrina Harty said,

If the going at Cheltenham is 'good', we might well take our chance in the Champion Hurdle. Otherwise, he will probably be aimed at Aintree."

Tarkari boosts MCR Hurdle form.

Gaining compensation for a good run over course and distance five weeks ago, Tarkari took the spoils in this afternoon's www.leopardstown.com Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin track.

The five-year-old had finished fourth to Puyol in the valuable MCR Hurdle, and today he justified the trust punters had put in the MCR form by making him the 5/2 race favourite for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh.

With several runners in with a chance at the last, Tarkari proved himself the strongest and most agile as he got himself out of a pocket to get home by a length from jigalo, with Colleoni back in third.

While the win will assure Tarkari of a place in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, Willie Mullins indicated it is far more likely he will now go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

Bajan out for a year.

Andy Turnell's dual purpose eight-year-old Blue Bajan is likely to be off the track for around a year following the discovery of a major leg problem.

The 2008 Swinton Hurdle winner completed some work last week, but then he was found to have heat in one of his legs, and subsequent investigations showed he had a hole in a bone, and the remedy will include a long period of rest and recouperation.

Triumph option could still be on for Pittoni.

After Pittoni failed to figure in his Grade Two contest at Navan on Saturday, post race tests showed him to be clinically abnormal, and it was assumed this ended any hopes of a run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, trainer Charles Byrnes has now indicated Pittoni has returned to normal, and connections are reconsidering the option of a run in the Grade One Novice Hurdle.

Kilcrea Castle to miss major festivals.

After watching Kilcrea Castle finish eighth of the nine finishers in yesterday's Racing Post Chase, trainer Emma Lavelle discovered her Irish import does not handle a strong pace on testing ground, and after his exertions at Kempton he is to miss booth the Cheltenham Festival and this year's Aintree Grand National.

However, on a positive note, the Andover handler has indicated,

"He is sound, and we will probably bring himback for a late Spring campaign, possibly with a run in the Bet 365 Gold Cup as an option in late April."

Fontwell still on at the moment.

Despite heavy rain overnight in the South of England, an impromptu 9.00 am inspection of the Fontwell Park course has given this afternoon's prestigious National Spirit Hurdle meeting the green light.

Clerk of the Course Ed Arkell sought opinions from jockeys, trainers and stewards, and they all backed his judgement that the track was raceable at 9.00 am, and providing the rain eases by lunchtime, as is the forecast, Arkell is very optimistic this afternoon's card will go ahead as scheduled.

Towcester meeting rained off.

With incessant overnight rain having fallen on the already 'heavy ground' at Towcester, Clerk of the Course Robert Bellamy found the track was saturated and waterlogged when he conducted his 8.00 am inspection of the racing surface, and unfortunately this left him with no option but to cancel this afternoon's national hunt card.

Plumpton to take a look.

Having been badly hit by the heavy overnight rain along the English Channel coastel area, Plumpton Clerk of the Course Mark Cornford has indicated he will take a precautionary look at his track at 7.30 am tomorrow morning ahead of Monday afternoon's scheduled race meeting.

Speaking earlier today, Cornford said,

"We had a dry day on Saturday, but then we had around 13 mm of rain between midnight and 7.00 am, and with the rain due to continue until later this afternoon, the course is going to become very wet. Monday is due to be a drier day, but we will have to see what the course is like in the morning, and then make a judgement on whether we are raceable."

Imperial Commander looking good ahead of Kauto clash.

After riding a younger rival alongside Imperial Commander in a two mile post racing gallop at Kempton Park on Saturday, Nigel Twiston Davies's assistant trainer Carl Llewellyn said:

"He looked great on what was testing ground. We have him exactly where we want him ahead of next month's run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and I truly believe Imperial Commander is the one who will lay down the main challenge to Kauto Star in this year's race."

Pandorama setback for Meade.

Noel Meade has all but ruled Pandorama out of this season's Cheltenham Festival after his unbeaten novice chaser pulled a muscle during a training session.

Commenting on his dual Grade One novice chase winner, Meade said,

"I think it is highly unlikely he will recover in time to run in the RSA Chase. We will now give him a short breather to give the muscle time to heal, and then we will start preparing him for probable engagements at the Festivals at Fairyhouse and Punchestown."

Mil Chief almost certain to mis Triumph Hurdle.

A very disappointed alan King reports Mill Chief's left fore leg problem appears to be far worse than anticipated, and the trainer has all but ruled the anti post favourite out of this season's JCB Triumph Hurdle. Taking the report seriously, most of the leading bookmakers have now suspended Mill Chief rom their anti post markets on the two mile one furlong Grade One contest.

Escort' Men heading to Aintree.

The Paul Nicholls trained french import Escort' Men was probably the most impressive winner on yesterday's card at Kempton Park, but Nicholls has confirmed his wide margin Dovecote Novice Hurdle victor will not race in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at cheltenham, and instead, he talented newcomer to British racing is likeley to take in one of the Grade One Novice Hurdle contest at the Aintree Festival in April.

Three to note from Lingfield's Saturday card.

Apart from Gitano Hernando's preparation victory for the Dubai World Cup, Saturday's card at Lingfield included three other winners who are well worth folloing at present.

Sprinter Jaconet has progressed from selling company up to Listed winner , and the ease with which she won her six furlong contest yesterday, she could well become a Group winner beore much longer.

Clive Brittain's Mahadee hit his all time high handicap mark when dead heating in the Super Seven race , and if he continues his form on to the grass, he could be one to follow in the early season handicpas over seven furlongs and am ile.

Dalradian also showed he is worth folloieng when adding a good mile handicap to his recent mile and a quarter victory.

Remaining Scoop 6 punters cut adrift by Razor.

Not one of the remaining 36 Scoop 6 tickets had nominated Razor Royale in yesterday's fifth leg of the bet - The Racing Post Chase - and consequently, the Win Fund of £171,574 and the Bonus Fund of £73,532 will both roll over to next Saturday.