DENNY DOUBLE FOR GERAGHTY

Barry Geraghty continued his recent run of success when partnering a big race double aboard Le Coudray and Party Airs on day one of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, writes Alan Magee.

Le Coudray, the 8/13 favourite in the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase, made all but needed to dig deep from the last to hold off the strong challenge of Bust Out by half a length. `I was always happy that he was going to win from the last. He will be kept on the go while the ground is soft, and may go for the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. He will only go for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase if there is some cut in the ground,` said trainer Christy Roche.

Party Airs made it three wins from as many starts over timber when staying on best to land the Denny Juvenile Hurdle. Geraghty`s mount struck the front at the final flight, where Harchibald blundered, and kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Kenilworth by three and a half lengths.

`That was a tough, workmanlike performance, and Barry said it washis jumping that kept him in it. We will consider the Triumph Hurdle (25/1 with Cashmans), although an alternative plan is switching him back to the Flat for the Lincoln,` said Dermot Weld.

Paul Carberry was seen at his strongest when also completing a 15.5/1 double aboard Mullacash and Rare Ouzel. Mullacash rallied in the closing stages to touch off Liscannor Lad by the minimum margin in the four-year-old maiden hurdle, and is held in good regard by trainer Noel Meade. `I thought he would win, although the ground was a bit too heavy for him. He will go next for a two and a half mile novice.`

Rare Ouzel was galvanised on the run-in by Carberry in the handicap hurdle, heading the front-running G V A Ireland in the closing stages to score by a length.

Alan Magee