The Grade Two Gowran Park Champion Chase was marred slighty by the reappearing former Gold Cup hero Kicking King falling at the third fence, but there was little wrong with Knight Legend s all-the-way success under Andrew Leigh.
The nine-year-old gelding progressed well last term, going close in a couple of contests at this level, and he overcame his lack of a recent outing to run his rivals ragged.
Jessica Harrington's charge made a bad blunder at the second-last fence, where supporters of the chasing Light On The Broom were given come hope, but Knight Legend composed himself to pop the last and run out a ready twelve-length winner.
Niall Madden's recent recruit First In Line a Flat winner at Dundalk last November, made a successful start to his NH career in the Kilford Arms 3-Y-O Hurdle at Gowran Park.
Alan Crowe's mount took up the running approaching the final flight and although strongly pressed by Deliver More on the run-in, the 4-1 chance battled admirably to hold that rival at bay by three quarters of a length.
John Kiely's South Upper Street had to be kept up to his work by jockey Andrew McNamara in order to land the Betfair Maiden Hurdle.
The 4-1 shot tracked long-time leader Ballycomclone throughout the majority of the contest and took over the head of affairs after three out.
Browns Bailey was shaping like a big danger approaching the last flight of hurdles but his jumping let him down and South Upper Street dug deep to score by half a length.
The Gowran Christmas Party Meeting 12th December Handicap Hurdle went the way of De La Rue < Mudslinger looked to have the race at his mercy but he fluffed his lines at the final obstacle and Charles Byrnes' charge took full advantage, recording a neck verdict close home.
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