Paul Carberry was seen at his cheekiest when successful aboard Loyal Focus in the juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday. The half-brother to Dermot Weld's Triumph Hurdle winner Rare Holiday was well supported down to 6/4 favourite on his jumping debut, and made smooth progress to move alongside chief market rival Majlis early in the straight. Carberry was still ultra-confident after the last, hardly moving a muscle as the gelding eased to the front in the final strides to score by a short-head.
'The plan was to win and not be too hard on him, and that was a very confident ride,' said Weld with a wry grin. 'I told Paul not to attack until after the last and, when he gets better ground, he'll be a nice horse to follow. He'll have one more run in a conditions hurdle and then we'll decide where he fits in. The new four-year-old handicap hurdle at Cheltenham could be on the agenda.'
However bookmaker reaction to the performance was swift with Cashmans introducing the Listowel Flat maiden winner as their 12/1 favourite, while Sean Graham go 16/1.
Rainbow Dash headed High Priestess after the last in the two mile maiden hurdle, and quickened up nicely under Denis O'Regan to record a comfortable two lengths verdict. 'He ran a bit free last time as there was not enough pace. The owners are keen to go to Cheltenham but he'll have another run before we make a final decision,' said trainer Tom McCourt.
Rusty Jack completed a 51.5/1 double for O'Regan and McCourt in the two miles handicap hurdle, leading between the final two flights and staying on gamely to beat Mickey Campbell by four lengths. The six-year-old gelding was also part of a double for the same trainer/rider combination at Limerick just over a fortnight ago, and McCourt said, 'He's starting to get his confidence, and we always thought he was decent at home. He stays well and should make a nice chaser next season.'
The Grade 1 Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown next Sunday is next on the list for Well Presented who made all and galloped on strongly for Robert Power to beat Frankie Dori by 12 lengths. 'He did it well and I would say the mistake two out was more losing concentration than anything else. If he comes out of this alright, he'll run in the Moriarty,' said Jessica Harrington.
Green River surprised connections when overcoming a lay-off of 614 days to take the two miles and a furlong handicap chase. 'My father often said horses win inspite of you and not because of you,' said trainer Jim Dreaper after the 11-year-old gelding swept past the front-running General Cloney before the last and kept on well for Robbie Colgan to beat Jordans Lad by a length and a half.
'He's got a good engine but has had alot of leg problems, and I'm surprised he won today over that trip. He won a three mile maiden hurdle, and is a nice staying chaser,' added Dreaper.
Bluestone Lad recorded his third course and distance handicap win in the two and a half miles hurdle, stretching clear from two out for Tom Ryan to beat Johnjoes Boy by an impressive nine lengths. 'I suppose he's entitled to run in a novice after this. I felt he was in better form today, and he had a touch of a dirty nose when winning here last time.'
Alan Magee
