Noel Meade and Davy Condon combined for another Grade 1 win following on from Go Native at Newcastle on Saturday when their well-backed Pandorama (ended up the 9/4 favourite) proved too strong for second market-choice, Alpha Ridge up the straight, prevailing by seven lengths in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase.
There was a distance back to the third-placed Jered and a further three parts of a length to the only other finisher, Mr Warbucks
Meade said: "Robert (Bagnall, the winning owner) backed this fellow at 7/1 which I couldn't believe. You lads (the press) were saying that the Fighting Fifth was going to be the best hurdle race run this year and then after the race you're all saying it was a nothing of a race (because of the lack of pace).
"It was the same with this fellow. He jumped left the last day and everyone got caught up on that. But the fences at Punchestown are the width of the parade ring! He was up there in front and he went left at the first one and suddenly he was going down to every fence and getting worse and worse and worse.
"He (Paul Carberry) had no chance to correct him as he was there in front on his own and trying to win the race. Today now he got a lead and he was totally different. The engine is there.
"I think he could improve from today. Davy said his jumping was a small bit sketchy. He only schooled him over a couple so he wouldn't know him as well as the other fellow (Paul Carberry).
"The 3m 1f at Leopardstown at Christmas will be the next day. The RSA Chase and the Moriarty would be other races for him. If everything is all right, Christmas is the plan now.
"Jered would like a little bit better ground. He is not as big as the winner and he missed a few fences too."
William Hill's betting on the RSA Chase is 9/4 fav Punchestowns and 12/1 (from 16s) about Padorama. They give Alpha Ridge a first show of 20/1.
Boylesports are 12/1 from 16/1 about Pandorama for the RSA Chase. They introduce Alpha Ridge at 25/1.
