Dungannon trainer Jimmy Lambe enjoyed his first ever double when saddling the John Cullen-ridden pair Drift Away and Heraclitean Fire to record a 28/1 brace.
You Need Luck looked set to land the opening Alphameric Red Onion 3YO Maiden Hurdle until jumping violently out to the left at the penultimate flight leaving Drift Away in front to score by two and a half lengths.
You Need Luck's rider Barry Geraghty was subsequently given a one day suspension (November 16) for careless riding in a seperate incident involving favourite Young Vintage at the last. This rules him out of the final day of the Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham.
Lambe is considering a tilt at the Denny Hurdle with his charge, and reported afterwards that the removal of previously worn blinkers may have accounted for the improvement in form. The Co. Tyrone handler went on to complete his double with the well-backed Heraclitean Fire in the Alexander Forbes Handicap Chase. Evens favourite Kergaul was let down by a series of mistakes including when headed by the comfortable winner two out.
Paul Carberry and Noel Meade were also in double form on the afternoon with Khetaam and Kings Orchard. Khetaam was always travelling much better than sole rival Mutakarrim in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle, and Meade indicated afterwards that his charge could take in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next weekend en route to the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting.
Kings Orchard was prominent throughout in the Porter & Co Beginners Chase, and the 1/2 favourite was left clear by the fall of River Quoile at the last to come home an eased down three and a half lengths ahead of Rocking Ship. 'He doesn't like soft ground so we may put him away for the winter,' said Meade.
Geraghty did get on the scoresheet when Well Presented justified prohibitive odds in the Charles Hurst Jaguar (Portadown) Maiden Hurdle. However those who traded at odds of 4/11 were made to sweat as the five-year-old needed to be driven out to get the better of Criaire Princess by two and a half lengths.
The featured EBF Scarvagh House Stud (Mares) Novice Hurdle proved a dramatic contest with leader Slaney Fox crashing out at the second last flight. This left outsider Penny Fiction at the head of affairs but Mariah Rollins quickened up nicely after the last to land the Listed event by two and a half lengths.
