Sackville justified odds-on support under Keith Hadnett in the featured Wilf Dooly Chase at Tramore, which passed an early morning inspection despite significant overnight rain.
The ten-year-old gelding, who disputed the lead at the final fence in the Ericsson Chase before weakening into fifth behind Beef Or Salmon, jumped left throughout in beating main market rival More Than A Stroll by ten lengths. Joe Crowley, representing his daughter Frances who's currently with husband Pat Smullen in Hong Kong, said, 'He tends to jump left, and that was exaggerated on this tight track. He may go now for the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham later this month.' Cashmans left the winner unchanged at 33/1 for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Donie Hassett and Shane McCann teamed up to take the first race of 2003 when Mellowthemoonlight relished the very testing conditions in the handicap hurdle. 'She is a light filly, and I thought she would be more of a summer horse,' said a surprised but pleased Hassett after the four-year-old led two out to beat Intercounty by six lengths.
John Cullen partnered his first winner since breaking a bone in his neck at Kilbeggan in September when Carneys Cross caused an upset in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle. Cullen, who made a welcome return to action just before Christmas, had the Sean Treacy-trained gelding up with the pace throughout to beat Permiya by seven lengths.
'This gelding showed a lot of promise early last year but, like all my horses, went off the boil. Thankfully they are back in form now, ' said a delighted Treacy, who has 22 in training.
Cullen went close to completing a double in the following two miles maiden hurdle aboard Windfall, but was pegged back in the closing stages by the rallying Indy Carr.
Permit-holder Noel Kennedy saddled his first winner when Zarrow made all under Shay Barry in the beginners chase. 'I took out a permit three years ago, and have two in training at present,' said Kennedy, who has a farm and breeding operation near Thurles.
Alan Magee
