Three Weekend Eyecatchers - 14/01/2019

Daryl Jacob opened up on Racing TV, stating that when Top Notch retires; 'he is coming home with me'.

This was after another gutsy display in the Listed 32Red Casino Chase at Kempton on Saturday, on his first start over fences since winning the Oaksey Chase at Sandown on the final day of last season.

Top Notch suffered a bad reaction to a flu jab over the summer, and only returned to the scene just prior to Christmas, running an almighty race when finishing third in the JLT Hurdle at Ascot.

It looked very much a two-horse affair before the off on Saturday, with Kim Bailey's Charbel also vying for favouritism.

After being held up, the Nicky Henderson 8yo was ridden to lead over two-out and soon asserted after the last. He now all looks all-set for a return to the highest level in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival.

Ok Corral is now a very strong fancy for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, after shooting down his rivals in the Hampton Novices Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The 9yo made the most of his weight advantage against Rocky's Treasure when staying on well past Kim Bailey's charge three-out. Secret Investor crashed through the final fence effectively handing the race to Ok Corral, but it was a solid performance from the horse and jockey Derek O'Connor.

Last year's runner-up in the Albert Bartlett, is now two from two over fences having made a winning debut over fences at Plumpton last time.

Stamina assured, he looks to have the perfect profile for a four-miler, and can count upon the services of Amateur rider O'Connor once again.

Felix Desjy ended the Mullins domination in the Moscow Flyer Novices Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday, handing Gordon Elliott his first ever win in the race.

The 6yo - one of three Gigginstown runners in the race, made all by a wide margin, was ridden up the straight to make sure, but was effectively unchallenged throughout.

Both Mullins runners Harrie and Buildmeupbuttercup were never nearer than their finishing positions of third and fifth.

Felix Desjy could now prove to be his owners best shot in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, should stablemate Battleoverdoyen head for the Ballymore.