Robert Power consolidated his position as clear leader of the claiming riders championship when recording a 98/1 double aboard Darby Wall and Stick The Lowman.
Darby Wall, owned and bred by locally born Matty Cahill, was prominent throughout in the opening two miles maiden hurdle and kept on gamely to beat Golden Alliance by a length and a half. 'He was off for three months after returning lame from Cork in December, and the better ground was a help,' said trainer Enda Bolger.
The 7/4 favourite Homer Wells proved a big disappointment, never getting into contention and finishing a well-beaten 13th.
Power, now on the 27 winner mark for the season, gave the Paddy Mullins-trained Stick The Lowman a strong drive in the two and a quarter miles handicap hurdle to deny the gambled-on Good Thyne Jack by a neck.
Present Abbey, who provided Wexford handler Ann Lambert with her first winner in a bumper at the Limerick Christmas meeting, added to that tally in the five-year-olds maiden hurdle. Larry Hurley's mount and Johnney Lathy jumped the last together, with Ms Lambert's mare finding a bit extra on the run-in to score by three quarters of a length. A novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival is next on the cards, and the point-to-point winner will go chasing next season.
Slyguff Rory justified good support in the two and three quarter miles handicap hurdle, with the 11/4 (from 7/2) favourite leading three out and driven out by David Casey to hold Rapsan by a length and a half. 'He won two point-to-points very easily but it's a big step up to racing on the track, and we'll look for another handicap in about a fortnight,' said trainer Michael McCullagh.
Favourite backers were also on the mark in the three miles mares beginners chase where Howaya Pet stayed on well from the last under Shane McCann to beat Adonia by eight lengths. 'My horses were a bit sick but seem to coming back now,' said trainer Gerry Keane, who added, 'She kept jumping to the left and should be better going left-handed.'
The Young Bishop, owned jointly by course manager Pierce Molony's wife Riona and local TD Michael Lowry, took the beginners chase in emphatic style.
The seven-year-old cruised to the front three out, and Davy Russell hardly moved a muscle in the straight to come home five lengths clear of Jackie Cullen.
Alan Magee
