Adamant Approach opened his account over fences at Punchestown on New Years Eve when jumping superbly to readily land the two miles beginners chase in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Willie Mullins' charge made virtually all and, with favourite Soltero falling at the fifth, stayed on strongly to beat Native Jack by 15 lengths. 'The ground was not as bad as we thought it was going to be, and he really enjoyed himself. I had not really thought any further than today as the horses have not been firing but hopefully they are coming back to form now. I suppose the Arkle at Leopardstown is a likely race for him,' said Mullins. Cashmans reacted by slashing his price for Cheltenham's Arkle Trophy from 20/1 to 12/1.
Aimees Mark, trained locally by Francis Flood and ridden by his son and namesake, completed a hat-trick in the featured Kilteel Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old gelding made most of the running, and rallied strongly in the straight to beat Solar System by half a length with Supreme Being the same distance back in third.
The Guy justified odds-on support on his jumping debut in the two miles maiden hurdle, with Paul Carberry waiting until the final flight before sending the Michael O'Brien-trained gelding past Be Quiet to score by three quarters of a length.
'He is a nice young horse but still very weak, and we will keep him low-key this season. He may go for a winners race at Navan in a few weeks time, and he just needs time to strengthen up,' said O'Brien.
O'Brien also spoke about useful chaser Knife Edge, who filled the runner-up spot behind Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown last weekend. 'He was just not quite fit enough as I had hoped to give him a school at Fairyhouse before Christmas. I was pleased the way he jumped for Ruby Walsh.'
Carberry completed a treble on the afternoon when also successful in both handicap chases. Fanion De Neulliac stayed on best on the run-in to beat Killultagh Thunder by four lengths in the novice handicap chase, while in the two mile handicap Dee-One-O-One travelled sweetly to lead before thee last for a three length verdict over Native Commander.
Numbersixvalverde ended a frustrating sequence of placed efforts when finally coming good with some style in the two and a quarter miles maiden hurdle. The six-year-old drew clear after two out under Gary Hutchinson, partnering his 19th winner of the season, to beat Mr Murchan by a facile 13 lengths.
Favourite backers were again on the mark in the opportunity handicap hurdle where Balreask Lady cruised to the front for Sean McDermott early in the straight to beat Red Tantrum by a very easy nine lengths. 'She is a half-sister to Manus The Man, who was placed for me in the Irish Grand National, and will go for another handicap in a couple of weeks,' said trainer Michael Cunningham.
Alan Magee
