Panda has Cheltenham aim after Hunters' success Panda Boy stayed on stoutly at the end of the three-mile trip to make a winning start in hunter chaser company in the finale at Thurles this afternoon. Martin Brassil’s charge was a smart handicap chaser in recent years and qualified for today’s contest when finishing third in an Open at Ballindenisk in late November. He was soon to the fore today, disputing at halfway and leading the field away from the stands on the final circuit. Lifetime Ambition joined him when he got close to the third-last, but he saw off that rival before the final fence. The 5/1 shot did have a look going down to the last, jinking on the approach, but picked up again for Finny Maguire on the run-in to post a nine-length success. Brassil eyes Cheltenham for Panda Boy "It was lovely ground for him and he did it well, with an exhibition of jumping,” said Brassil. “He really stays and had some really good runs in Paddy Power Chases over the years. It is nice to get him back winning and enjoying life again. "He was bought with the Cheltenham Open Hunters Chase in mind, so we'll see what we have to do to get him qualified now. He needs another one of these or an Open point-to-point to qualify, so Cheltenham is the plan. Praise for Finny Maguire "That is Finny's first racecourse winner for me and he is as good a rider as you'd get, as good as any professional. John (Gleeson, jockey son of winning owners) was injured but hopefully will be back soon." Paddy Power made the winner a 12/1 shot for the Festival Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
