Noel Meade's Iktitaf proved himself a prime Champion Hurdle contender with a battling success over Asian Maze, with Brave Inca third, in the featured Maplewood Developments Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Champion Chase winner Newmill attempted to make all but gave best, along with Brave Inca, before the straight, with Iktitaf moving through to head Asian Maze before the final flight, staying on well for a length and a quarter success.
Afterwards, Meade reported 'You'd have to be thrilled with that. Paul (Carberry, jockey) said he jumped fantastic.'
'I don't know where we will go next - I had intended to go for the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse, but that's probably off the agenda now. It's more likely he'll go for the December Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
'He has run three times in the last six weeks and had a hard race there against two fair ones so I might just give him a little break.'
Afterwards Cashmans Bookmakers reacted to the race by reduced Iktitaf to 6/1 (from 10/1) for the Champion Hurdle, while also cutting Brave Inca to 5/1 (from 6/1) for the same race.
Blueberry Boy rewarded a few 20/1 bets with his 16/1 S.P. win in the Grade 2 Volkswagen Craddockstown Novice Chase.
Ridden by Andrew Lynch, the gelding moved through to lead at the fourth last, staying on well from two out for a two and a half length win over Gemini Lucy, with Conna Castle falling two out when looking beaten in third.
Afterwards delighted winning trainer Paul Stafford stated 'he stays well but had a setback about a month ago and I thought he'd need that run a bit.'
Despite gaining a 25/1 quote with Cashmans Bookmakers, the trainer revealed 'we'll go for the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse next but longterm he will avoid Cheltenham because he doesn't travel well and ran badly there last time.'
O'Muircheartaigh, the bane of many a foreign commentator's existence, landed the Dundrum Shopping Centre Beginners Chase for trainer Edward O'Grady and in-from jockey Paddy Flood.
The highly regarded son of Accordion made most of the running before staying on well under pressure for a length win over Knight Legend.
Francis Flood's Walk Over, at two stages, looked an unlikely winner of the opening Star 'Best For Racing Coverage' Handicap Chase.
Under a cracking ride from Paul Carberry (riding the opening leg of a double), the son of Welsh Term came from way off the pace to challenge at the third last.
However, he was soon outpaced but rallied to lead again on the run-in, eventually defeating Slow To Party by two and a half lengths.
Jessica Harrington's Woodhouse landed the Irish Racing Annual Handicap Hurdle under Robert Power while Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins combined to land the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
At Cork, Noel Meade recorded the opening leg of an across-the-card double when Mac Three landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase under Denis O'Regan.
Meade was represented by his partner Gillian O'Brien who reported 'Noel likes him a lot and he had a good debut chase run at Thurles recently. He'll stay at that distance and will keep to chasing.'
Locally based Eoghan O'Grady caused a 20/1 surprise to win the www.corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle with Bulls And Mortar, under Martin Ferris.
Bulls And Mortar, a former point to point winner, made most of the running and although headed at the second last, rallied to regain the lead on the run-in for a neck win over staying on Tom Doodle.
O'Grady later mentioned 'Bulls And Mortar had two nice bumper runs but the first time blinkers helped.'
The opening INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle went to Dusty Sheehy's Holly Tree, under a good ride from Mike Darcy.
Frustrating to follow until now, the son of Accordion chased the leaders before moving through to lead at the second last, staying on well despite making a mistake at the final flight, for an easy four length win over Shuil Abbey.
Afterwards Sheehy reported 'we might go for another novice hurdle next but he'll probably be chasing by Christmas - he jumps well and loves that ground.'
Jockey Conor Maxwell, 19 from Dublin, was pencilled into a few notebooks following his maiden riding success on Grangeclare Lark, for his boss Dessie Hughes, in the O'Flynn Construction Hurdle.
Both Grangeclare Lark and Mickataine were neck-and-neck from the second last flight, but Grangeclare Lark responded to Maxwell's urgings to eventually poke her head in front where it mattered, for a short head win.
Michael Hourigan's Cluain Arra, under Eoin McCarthy, landed the O'Flynn Construction Handicap Hurdle.
The daughter of Supreme Leader chased the leaders before moving through to lead on the run to the final flight, staying on well for a length win over Dreux.
Hourigan later stated 'Cluain Arra is a good mare and has a nice pedigree. She is owned by my secretary Tracey Hennessy so it was a great win.'
Thomas Weekes.
