Willie Mullins' Orge D'Ete, under Ruby Walsh, was the game winner of the Gowran Park Racing Club Novice Hurdle at Gowran today, defeating even money favourite Casey Jones by a length and a half.
Orge D'Ete raced in second before moving through to lead after two out, and although not fluent at the final flight, stayed on well on the run-in.
Afterwards Mullins reported 'I'm delighted with that and the horse seems to have improved a fair bit since he won at Limerick last time out.'
He added 'we'll go for a novice hurdle at Limerick over Christmas next and will try to stick to staying races. He'll stay novice hurdling but will be sent chasing next season.'
'His owners, the Two Tricia's Syndicate (Tricia Rooney and Tricia Lydon), are both Christmas shopping today so this should help them with their expenses!'
Tommy Stack's Perce Rock easily justified 8/15 favouritism when impressively winning the Christmas Vouchers At Gowran Golf Shop Maiden Hurdle, under Conor O'Dwyer.
The son of Dansili, fourth in the Cheltenham Bumper last March, tracked the leaders before effortlessly moving through to lead before three out, staying on well for an easy four length win over Ceim Oir.
Afterwards Stack's son Fozzy mentioned 'we'll probably go for a winners' race at Limerick over Christmas and that will tell us more about his best trip.'
'We may then go to Leopardstown or Punchestown in the new year but everything will be geared towards Cheltenham in March.'
Cashmans Bookmakers later cut Perce Rock to 16/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle from 25/1 (having reportedly laid him at 33/1 earlier in the morning).
Charlie Swan's Offshore Account ran out the three parts of a length winner of the Santa's Little Helper Maiden Hurdle, under recently returned from injury David Casey.
A relieved Swan later mentioned 'at long last! He was badly hampered last time out at Clonmel and deserved to win a race. We'll go for either a winners race or handicap over Christmas next but he might be sent chasing in the new year.'
The opening Fancy A Festive Flutter 3YO Hurdle went to Joe Crowley's Rusty Red, under Adam O'Neill.
The son of Brave Act tracked the leaders before moving through to lead before the final flight, staying on well for a length and a half win over front running Victoria Night.
Afterwards Crowley reported 'the further he goes the better he is and he will go for the Dennys Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas next.'
Wexford trainer Richard Rath saddled Shining Lights to win the mares handicap hurdle, under amateur jockey Colin Motherway, while jockey Philip Enright and trainer Robert Tyner again combined to land the 3m maiden hurdle with The Halfway Bar.
Thomas Weekes.
