The featured Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on Saturday was robbed of much of it's interest when Knife Edge was declared a non-runner . There was a sale pending on the top class five-year-old - who will remain with Michael O'Brien - and in his absence Limestone Lad was left with a relatively straightforward task .
The successful eight-year-old was definitely travelling the better when the challenging Pippin's Ford departed the scene at the third last . However, Barry Cash's mount gave his many supporters heart palpatations as he made a horrendous blunder at the second last . Limestone Lad was soon back on an even keel though and he eventually came home at his leisure by fifteen lengths from Generosa .
That was Limestone Lad's fourth victory from as many starts over the larger obstacles and he will now be prepared for the Pierse Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse on December 3rd .
' He was jumping great with horses around him, but he was on his own when he made the mistake, ' said Cash, who had earlier collected the Novice Hurdle with Royal Plaisir .
Trained by Arthur Moore for the Glenaver Syndicate from Galway, Royal Plaisir won more comfortably than the offiicial winning margin of two and a half lengths would suggest and he will probably be next seen in action at Navan in three weeks time .
The Jessica Harrington-trained Moscow Flyer had little more than an exercise canter when justifying 2/5 favouritism in the Grade 2 Morgiana Hurdle . Partnered by Paul Moloney in place of the suspended Barry Geraghty, Moscow Flyer sauntered clear after the penultimate flight and, whilst idling close home, wasn't unduly troubled to account for Samapour by three and a half lengths .
' I like the way that he quickened up after the second last . It's a relief that it's over and we will now go for the Hattons Grace hurdle over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse in a fortnight's time, ' said Mrs Harrington .
Noel Meade's Billy Bonnie was most impressive when landing the opening juvenile hurdle under Charlie Swan .
The victorious son of Anshan, which was previously successful over flights at Tralee back in August, occupied a prominent position throughout and effortlessly forged clear from before the last to oblige by six lengths from Goldstreet . Incidentally, Billy Bonnie sports the colours of Meade's partner, former trainer Gillian O'Brien .
The Philip Fenton-ridden Endless Magic bounced back from a disappointing effort at Galway last time when leading from two out to triumph in the Handicap Hurdle by a ridicilously easy six lengths from Commanche Lodge . Endless Magic's handler Edward O'Grady was in understandably jubiliant form afterwards as the horse is owned by his Geneva-based son Jonathan .
Mark Madden teamed up with Tony Mullins to take the Handicap Chase with lightweight Be Home Early whilst Soltero just edged out Pietro Vanucci in a pulsating finale to the Bumper .
