Big race success for Cheltenham Sales graduates

This weekend saw a black type double for Cheltenham Sales graduates with victory in the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle for Mr Whipped and listed success for Ms Parfois. The success continued on Sunday when Doctor Phoenix ran out the winner of the feature Grade A Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase.

Mr Whipped maintained his unbeaten record and marked himself a genuine Cheltenham Festival contender when running out the winner of the Grade 2 Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson and owners Grech and Parkin. The 5yo son of Beneficial won his only start for point-to-point handler Denis Murphy winning the 4yo Maiden at Lingstown in March 2017 beating Flawless Escape a subsequent winner for Gordon Elliott. He was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival Sale for £160,000.

Ms Parfois jumped with aplomb throughout to record her third successive victory in a row for trainer Anthony Honeyball running out a five length winner of the listed Novices’ chase. The daughter of Mahler ran out the three length winner of the 4yo Mares’ Maiden at Boulta for Martin and Shane Hassett  in December 2015 and realised £40,000 at the Cheltenham February in 2016 when selling to Anthony Honeyball.

Doctor Phoenix was the nine length winner of the feature Grade A Handicap Chase on Sunday at Fairyhouse for trainer Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. The winner of his Maiden at Curraheen back in November 2013 he was sold for £40,000 to Favourites Racing.