Newmill put a disappointing chasing debut at Naas last month well behind him when easily accounting for 13 rivals in the Fethard Beginners Chase over two miles and a furlong at Clonmel.
The 4/6 favourite made all in the hands of Barry Geraghty, and brushed aside the challenge of Twist 'N Shout after the second last to score by 13L. 'All of my horses are two and a half months behind this season with the cough, and in hindsight I shouldn't have run him at Naas,' said Clonakilty trainer Thomas O'Leary.
He added, 'The Durkan New Homes Novice Chase (formerly the Dennys) at Leopardstown is next and then hopefully back there for the Arkle.' However O'Leary is not convinced that running in the Arkle at Cheltenham would be in the horses best long-term interest. 'I want to go to Cheltenham when the horse is right.'
Escrea, placed on six on her previous eight outings, gained a deserved win in the two and a half miles mares maiden hurdle leading between the final two flights under John Cullen to beat Authentic Creature by three lengths. 'She's been a consistent mare and deserved her turn. The extra half mile helped and she jumped well today,' said trainer Paul Nolan, who will now send her handicapping.
Tous Les Tables showed the benefit of his jumping debut at Navan last month by recording a very easy victory in the juvenile maiden hurdle. Paul Carberry produced the gelding full of running in the straight, and eased to the front approaching the last to beat Grangehill Dancer by seven lengths.
Calladine took advantage of a last fence blunder by Lincam to justify 9/4 favouritism under Alan Crowe in the three miles beginners chase. Favourite backers were also on the mark in the bumper where Missed That (4/5) was all the rage, and quickened past Tengo Ambro inside the final furlong to score by four lengths for Jamie Codd.
Glenbane Lady took the latest leg of the Martinstown Opportunity Series when leading two out under John Allen in the two and a half miles handicap hurdle to beat Knock Na Garm Lad by two and a half lengths.
Ard Hudie (Robbie Colgan) ended a losing run stretching back over two years when heading Intercounty on the run-in to score by a length and a half in the handicap chase. Billy Callaghan fractured a collar-bone and sustained a suspected fractured finger when taking a fall from Clearly In Motion.
Alan Magee
