Ross Moff is likely to go for the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after justifying odds on support in the two mile Killinan Novice Chase at Thurles yesterday.
Conor O'Dwyer produced the Good Thyne gelding with a smooth challenge to join the front-running Killultagh Storm between the final two fences. He needed to be ridden out on the run-in to prevail by three quarters of a length but O'Dwyer was upbeat afterwards saying: 'He jumped well, and I'm very happy with that,' before adding: 'Ruby (Walsh) slowed the pace down in the back straight on Killultagh Storm, and I didn't want to get into a race with him too soon.'
'The Cathcart looks the race for him. If it came up bottomless, he could go for the Arkle Chase but that is unlikely,' said trainer Tony Martin, who may also bring Barba Papa (runs at Fairyhouse tomorrow) over for a staying handicap hurdle at the Festival next month. Cork firm Cashmans make Ross Moff a 10/1 chance for the Cathcart, with the Arthur Moore-trained Native Upmanship their 4/1 favourite.
Davy Russell, who is enjoying a successful season on the point-to-point circuit, was again seen to good effect aboard Bondi Storm in the Cashel Qualified Riders Maiden Hurdle. The heavily-backed mare kept on gamely in the straight to beat Park Leader by two and a half lengths.
Championship leader Ruby Walsh was seen at his best aboard Paddy Kavanagh in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle, galvanising a renewed effort from the Willie Mullins-trained gelding in the closing stages to touch off Cailin's Perk by a length.
That's The Goose maintained trainer Pat Fahy's good run when making virtually all in the bumper, rallying in the straight to beat favourite Inch Supreme by two and a half lengths.
