Paul Carberry struck the front in the National Hunt jockeys' championship when partnering a double on the Noel Meade-trained pair Compostello and Fable, although he was later stood down for 48 hours following a heavy fall.
Compostello made all in the beginners chase, and the odds-on chance was left clear when Eskaddle unseated his rider at the last to score by a distance. 'He jumped a bit low last time at Thurles so we gave him to Con Power to school over poles, and he was much better organised today. He goes on fast ground but I'm not sure if he'll handle it really soft,' said Meade.
Carberry moved onto the 52 winner mark for the season, two ahead of Barry Geraghty, when Fable also justified favouritism in the handicap chase. The seven-year-old gelding headed the front-running Endastory after three out, and was confidently ridden to score by two lengths. 'He is owned by a group of 16 local lads who are all strong Meath football supporters. If the ground stays good we'll run him again, otherwise he'll be put away until the spring,' said Meade.
Carberry's day ended on a sour note when Red Red Red fell at the fifth in the handicap hurdle. The champion jockey was able to walk back to the first aid room but Turf Club doctor Walter Halley stood him down for 48 hours after being 'kicked in the back'. However he should be okay for the next Irish jumping meeting at Wexford on Saturday.
Blue Corrig also pleased punters when opening his account over jumps in the juvenile hurdle. Shay Barry's mount was driven along early in the straight but stayed on really well on the run-in to beat Young Vintage by four lengths. 'It's taken him a few runs over hurdles to get the hang of things. He goes so well on fast ground that you would wonder whether he would handle soft ground as well,' said trainer Joe Crowley.
Crowley was expected to complete a quick double with Fatherofthebride in the featured novice hurdle but the fancied grey dropped away tamely three out before Blanc C'est Blanc stretched clear in the straight for a comfortable victory. 'He's going the right way, and would be better suited by a faster pace. He could easily go to Galway next Monday, and we'll run him until the ground turns soft,' said trainer Arthur Moore.
Lord Rozz was all the rage (3/1 to 9/4) in the three miles handicap hurdle, and the John Levins-ridden top-weight cut out most of the running to land the spoils. Charlie Swan's charge was ridden out by the 7lb claimer to beat Tipp Top by six lengths.
Alan Magee
