< China Rock performed with credit in top company last season and returned to racecourse action with a battling victory in the feature Gowran Park Champion Chase at the County Kilkenny track.
Settled in third for most of the way by Ruby Walsh, the Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old wasn't particularly fluent with his jumping but took over from Oscar Looby approaching the second-last fence.< Glencove Marina s threat soon disappeared, but Coolcashin ran on well and China Rock (13-8 favourite), who hit the last, had to be kept up to his work to score by a length and a half.
There was drama in the closing stages of the Gowran Park Racing Club 2011 Beginners Chase before Darceys Dancer coasted in to land the prize for the Noel Meade team.
Three took the third-last fence in line, but Mission Possible and Bob Lingo both fell, leaving Darceys Dancer in the clear, and Paul Carberry was able to get the 12-1 shot home by an easy five lengths with no more alarms.< Days Ahead made his experience tell as he ran out a ready winner of the Kilkenny 3-Y-O Hurdle in the hands of Andrew McNamara.
Eoin Doyle's charge (9-2) was going well as he tracked the leaders into the straight and after challenging at the second-last, he drew clear without much fuss to score by four and a half lengths.
Walsh looked to have the Golf Membership At Gowran 2011 Maiden Hurdle sewn up when he eased to the front between the final two flights on the Willie Mullins-trained Sir Vincent
But the favourite, off the track since last December, tied up on the run-in and Paddy Hogan's Cool Oscar (10-1) rallied with great determination to force his way back in front for a head victory under Paddy Kennedy.
Charles Byrnes' Jack Cool (9-2 favourite) defied a 17lb hike in the ratings to land the Gowran Christmas Party Meeting 10th December Handicap Hurdle, forging ahead in the last 50 yards to win by half a length under Matthew Bowes.
