Guilt booked his ticket for the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day by landing the two and a quarter miles beginners chase in fine style at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Dessie Hughes' charge was left clear when Crooked Mile fell at the penultimate fence, and he kept on well for Paddy Flood to beat Young Cuthbert by ten lengths. 'He has taken well to fences, and that was a good effort for a four-year-old,' said Hughes.
Point Barrow appreciated every yard of the three miles and a furlong of the beginners chase, getting the better of Another Rum after the last to score by three and a half lengths under Joey Elliott. 'He wants three miles plus and I've entered him in the Pierse Leopardstown Chase and the Ascon Novice Chase (formerly the William Neville),' said trainer Pat Hughes.
Sound Blaster justified good support (8/1 to 5/1) in the juvenile maiden hurdle, confidently ridden by Conor O'Dwyer to beat Majlis by a very comfortable length. The Zafonic gelding was bought out of Andrew Balding's yard in July, and trainer Liam McAteer may now aim him at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Mr Babbage struck the front in the straight for Shay Barry in the two and a half miles maiden hurdle, and needed to be driven right out to hold off the persistent challenge of Beaufort County by three quarters of a length. Trainer Willie Mullins, speaking by phone from Cheltenham, views the gelding as a future chaser but will keep him to long distance hurdles for the moment.
Armagh amateur rider Ronan McNally partnered his first winner under rules when Hill Port took the three miles handicap hurdle in fine style, stretching clear from two out to beat the staying on Christmas River by four lengths. McNally (24), like successful Portadown trainer Stephen McConville, is better known on the point-to-point circuit where he's ridden seven winners.
Carndale (matched at 1/100 on Betfair) looked certain to land the handicap chase after Coolnahilla exited two out but he weakened rapidly under pressure as Tristernagh swept through under Garrett Cotter to score by three lengths.
Alan Magee
