Carlingford Lough and Tony McCoy (right) jump the last behind Foxrock (left)© Photo Healy Racing
< Carlingford Lough benefited from a typically power-packed Tony McCoy ride to lift the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.< On His Own set the pace before he was headed by Lord Windermere before the turn, but the pack closed in again by the last.< Foxrock looked the most likely winner when touching down, but McCoy was in overdrive on John Kiely's 4-1 shot Carlingford Lough, who responded to all of his urgings to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
The champion jockey, who announced his impeding retirement on Saturday, was already on the scoresheet by that point after steering 4-1 favourite Sort It Out home in the Paddy Power "Number 1 For Live Streaming" Handicap Hurdle.< Nichols Canyon (9-2) banished a Christmas mishap to the memory with an all-the-way success in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle.
Willie Mullins' Royal Bond winner got rid of Ruby Walsh at this venue on his previous appearance, but he jumped with aplomb in front and fended off Windsor Park by three and a half lengths, with Alvisio Ville a disappointing third.
Mullins enjoyed a one-two in the Gala Retail Spring Juvenile Hurdle, but not in the order most expected.< Petite Parisienne (6-1) was beaten on her Irish debut at Punchestown, but came on significantly for that outing and after tackling strongly-fancied stablemate Kalkir at the final flight, found more on the run to the line to beat the market leader by a length and three-quarters.< Prince De Beauchene (5-4 favourite) completed a treble for Mullins in the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase, but the champion trainer had to settle for second with Valseur Lido who couldn't quite repel the challenge of the Noel Meade-trained Apache Stronghold (9-2) in the Flogas Novice Chase.
All appeared to be going to plan for Valseur Lido when he took up the running turning for home, but Paul Carberry had him in his sights and Apache Stronghold was a willing partner as he stuck his neck out for a half-length victory.
The Leopardstown Club Membership (Pro/am) INH Flat Race was fought out by a couple of Giggi
