Galway Hurdle winner Cloone River continued his impressive transition to fences with a very convincing display in the DHKN Chartered Accountants Novice Chase.
The Paul Nolan-trained gelding moved smoothly throughout under John Cullen and, after a fast and accurate round of jumping, swept past Always a furlong out to score by eight lengths.
Nolan was thrilled with the performance and said afterwards, 'They really quickened up from three out, and he met the two fences in the dip on a long stride. But he was very brave and has great scope.'
He added, 'We will have to decide now whether to give him one more run for experience or give him a break. I would favour giving him a break, and then come back for either a school or a race at Leopardstown before the Arkle at Cheltenham.'
Cashmans cut him from 16/1 to 14's for the Arkle.
Shay Barry moved onto the 12 winner mark for the season after completing a 109/1 double in the opening two races aboard Domnul Admiral and Royalette.
Domnul Admiral jumped to the front two out in the Carl Scarpa Novice Hurdle, and stayed on strongly from the home turn to beat Studmaster by five lengths.
Barry followed up in the Galway Bay FM Maiden Hurdle on Royalette, a first winner for Charles Coakley who has ten in training near Killarney.
The five-year-old mare was always prominent, and kept on gamely in the straight to beat the staying on Oscar Bravo by three quarters of a length.
Paul Carberry was taken to hospital for x-rays on his neck after his mount Emmpat fell two out in this race.
The x-rays showed no damage but the former champion, who had to give up his remaining rides on the day, will have to pass the doctor before riding again.
Golden Storm led home a 1-2 for the Joe Crowley yard in the featured Smirnoff Handicap Chase, digging deep for John Allen on the long uphill run-in to beat Fatherofthebride by 3/4L.
Stable spokesman Damian Byrne said, 'They will both probably go for the Kerry National at Listowel as that would seem the obvious race.'
Tommy Treacy produced Out The Gap with a well-timed challenge to land the Kenny Development Group Handicap Hurdle, striking the front on the run-in to beat Mountainn Snow by a length.
Euracert led three out under Conor O'Dwyer to land the Cunningham Higgins Specialist Cars Handicap Hurdle, while The Dasher (Paul Tobin) quickened up well inside the final furlong to take the bumper.
The attendance of 5,872 was up over 1,600 on the opening day (Monday) of this meeting last year, while there will be a jackpot pool rollover of E16,522 from the Curragh to Galway tomorrow.
Alan Magee
