'She's improving with every run' - Irish horses to follow for Cheltenham after the weekend action

Another stellar weekend of racing is complete and the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival is nearing the home stretch.

There are just four weeks until the greatest show on turf kicks off in the Cotswolds and we are taking a look at some Irish-based runners that advertised their credentials over the weekend.

Dinoblue warms up for Mares Chase defence in style

The Willie Mullins-trained Dinoblue made short work of winning the Listed Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas for the second year in a row on Saturday as she teed herself for a repeat claim in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at the Festival next month.

JP McManus' nine-year-old scrambled home from Allegorie De Vassy a year ago but this time she was in the clear under Mark Walsh, defeating Bioluminescence in the same owners' silks by 11-lengths in straightforward fashion.

It was fourth time lucky around Cheltenham for Dinoblue last season as she went one better than 2024 in the Mares' Chase and that race is her next intended target.

Dinoblue has dominated the mares' chase division in the past 12 months and this was her fifth consecutive win against her own sex, she's around a 6/4 chance to retain her Cheltenham crown.

"She's a great bit of stuff," said Frank Berry, McManus's racing manager. "She turns up every day and you can set your clock by her.

"Mark was delighted with her. She jumped great and handles the ground. You couldn't ask for better really. It's a nice prep [for Cheltenham] and you couldn't be happier."

Elliott looks to Fred Winter with Highland Crystal

Highland Crystal had to knuckle down and scrap to maintain her unbeaten record over hurdles at Naas on Saturday as she won the SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle under Jack Kennedy for trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Robcour.

She was 2-2 over timber going into this contest and had won a Mares' Listed race at Newbury in November on her most recent run but was now taking on the gelding and carrying a penalty.

She made her own running but appeared to be in some trouble as Mark Walsh loomed alongside jumping the last on Saratoga

Highland Crystal hung right but battled on strongly to repel Saratoga by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Four of the last seven winners of the Fred Winter at Cheltenham have contested the same Naas contest en route to the Cotswolds and Elliott says that is her next target, as he waits for the handicappers' assessment.

Zanoosh looks classy for Murphy

Colm Murphy knows how to get the best from a classy performer and he looks to have one on his hands with the mare Zanoosh

She arrived at Navan seeking a hat-trick on Sunday, having scored by five-lengths at Punchestown in December before following up in a competitive handicap hurdle at the Co Meath venue last month.

Brian Hayes' partner was utterly dominant in landing the two-and-a-half-mile Listed Apple's Jade Mares Novice Hurdle by eight-lengths from Willie Mullins' Poetisa

The Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle over three-miles on Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham could be a possible target, with conditions set to dictate the next move.

"She's improving with every run and handles the ground well. I've no doubt she'll handle better ground now she's found her feet," said Murphy.

"Whenever we step her up to 3m she'll improve again. The Albert Bartlett is an option but there's plenty of races at home, the ground will be key."