The Culdee overcame a four months lay-off to take the featured Radisson SAS Hotel (Galway) Handicap Hurdle in impressive fashion under Mark Madden. The five-year-old gelding took full advantage of his light weight in the testing ground, driven clear after two out and eased right down on the run-in to beat Hat Or Halo by a facile nine lengths.
'He seems to like this track, and the soft ground is a big help', said trainer Francis Flood, who added: 'I had him fit today as it is a very nice prize'.
Michael Mor landed the other big jumping race on this mixed card, the Bank Of Ireland Ballybrit Novice Chase, when leading before the last to beat Ellenjay by a hard-earned three and a half lengths. Barry Geraghty deputised for Paul Carberry on the Noel Meade-trained winner. Carberry tore ligaments in his ankle at Thurles on Thursday, and will be out of action for at least ten days.
Meade doubled up in the concluding bumper where Raven Rock made a winning debut in the hands of Greg Harford.
John Murtagh's rapid return from the Breeders Cup meeting in New York proved in vain as the gambled-on Masakala was withdrawn after failing to enter the starting stalls for the Parkmore Handicap. Victory here went to the locally owned Moon Shot, who stayed on strongly up the final hill for Seamus Heffernan to beat Emperor Naheem by five lengths.
Kevin Prendergast has the Listed Eyrefield Stakes on the final day (November 11) of the Flat season at Leopardstown in mind for Wrong Key after the cheaply bought filly (4,000 guineas) took the Corrib Oil Race in fine style.
Peace In Ireland recorded his third front-running win at this venue when routing his 13 rivals in the Renvyle House Hotel Handicap. The six-year-old found plenty for Timmy Houlihan inside the final quarter mile to beat Langkawi Island by 20 lengths.
Meanwhile a large crowd also turned out at Wexford where the Charlie Swan-trained This Is Serious took the featured Bewleys Hotels Dublin & Glasgow Handicap Chase. David Casey's mount survived a mistake at the last in this three miles event to beat Wicked Crack and Regency Rake, who dead-heated for second place, by three lengths.
Ian Power and Noel Meade teamed up for a first and last race double with Boleys Pride and Hasit, while Penny Native justified strong support under Barry Cash in the Ireland's Own Family Magazine Beginners Chase.
Alan Magee
