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Sunday's racing round-up includes the return of a Grand National-winning jockey...
Kalypso'chance was made the new favourite for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham with various firms, after winning the Navan closer in impressive fashion. Patrick Mullins rode the Gigginstown-owned gelding – a spare ride after retained amateur Harry Swan chose the third-placed Classical Creek over his stablemate. The four-year-old required little encouragement to take up the lead in the closing stages, quickening well to win by four-and-a-half lengths. Paddy Power responded by trimming Kalypso'chance in from 8/1 to 7/1 for the March event.
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Rachael Blackmore is booked to ride Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel on Monday, marking an end to a three-month spell sidelined through injury. The Robcour-owned gelding is set to contest the opening beginners chase at Naas, a race Henry De Bromhead's yard have previously tasted success in after A Plus Tard took 2018's renewal before making a successful visit to Cheltenham later in the year. The six-year-old is set to face exciting prospects from the Willie Mullins camp in Lecky Watson and Blizzard Of Oz, as well as high-potential Gigginstown novice Staffordshire Knot.
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Carlisle was the scene of a market shakeup for the Cheltenham Pertemps Final, as Olly Murphy's Shallow River finished strongly to land the Cumbrian course's 3m1f qualifying race. In a tactically-run affair, Sean Bowen's mount was ridden along early, but rallied late to beat favourite D Art D Art by a neck. Paddy Power introduced the eight-year-old to the antepost market at 25/1.
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In an interview given to Sky Sports Racing, trainer Ben Pauling has confirmed that The Jukebox Man will head to the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas. The Albert Bartlett second was last seen winning the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury by a resounding two-length margin. While the versatile performer will step up to three miles for the Kempton event, the Cotswolds-based handler has not ruled out going back down to two miles in the campaign ahead.
