KNIFE EDGE SHOWS CLASS AT LEOPARDSTOWN

Knife Edge established himself as a principal contender for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham after treating the bustling Leopardstown crowd to a highly impressive performance when winning the featured Grade 1 Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase on the opening day of the Christmas festival today.

Sold to run in the colours of JP McManus after an impressive chasing debut at Naas last month, Knife Edge never looked troubled by his three rivals in the 2m 1f contest. Winning trainer, Michael O'Brien, ? landing his second Grade race of the day ? signaled the Arkle next March as the primary target.

'He is a very good horse who races very relaxed. It was almost like he was schooling around. He runs very careful and watches what he does?but he needs more experience and next time we might run him more forward', said a delighted O'Brien.

The field was depleted to four runners after the withdrawal of both Moscow Retreat and Native Dara. Racing comfortably in third, Tom Rudd moved Knife Edge to challenge at the second last. Alcapone and Well Ridden collided in mid air, leaving the smart novice to steal a length on the outside.

Turning for home, Tom Rudd's mount was travelling sweetly and managed to break down the game efforts of Alcapone and Well Ridden. The winner jumped the last smartly but Alcapone, disputing for second at the time, came crashing down leaving Well Ridden to claim the second spot, 6 lengths behind the winner.

O'Brien explained: 'He looks like a horse who may want a trip, we will go for the Arkle in March and then maybe we can have a look at him later next year with a possibility of stretching out for the Gold Cup.'

O'Brien declared that Knife Edge would run again before Cheltenham either 'back here [Leopardstown] for the Baileys Arkle Cup or at Fairyhouse.'

Continuing from where he left off, O'Brien targeted the Triumph Hurdle for Pittsburgh Phil after the half brother to Fourstars Allstar blazed home a very impressive winner of the Grade 2 Denny Juvenile Hurlde.

Pittsburgh Phil, currently up for sale, reversed the form with Softly Softly who beat him by 2L in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal last month. O'Brien's charge had made steady progress from the fourth last, and looked in control from the second last, taking charge from Hill Port, Francies Fancy and the fading Softly Softly.

With the field weakening behind, Pittsburgh Phil popped the last and cruised to a comfortable 10L victory over Francies Fancy. The effortless manner of the win prompted leading bookmakers to slash the gelding's odds from 25/1 to 14/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

'He has come on well from his first run and we will now target him for the Triumph Hurdle', explained O'Brien.

He continued: 'I think he is a candidate for the race but don't quite see him wining it, but he is definitely going the right way at the moment. I think we will run him one more time before Cheltenham, possibly here again on Hennessy day in February.'

Secret Native was a surprise winner of the #12,000 Move-Over-Butter Handicap Hurdle. Reverting back to hurdles today, Tom Taaffe's gelding survived blunders at the second last and last flights to find a gap and power home, getting the better of Discerning Air by 9 lengths.

Taaffe, who believed Secret Native could finish in the first three, signaled the winner would 'run another race over hurdles' as he 'stays and gallops well'.

Jockey Garrett Cotter opened his Christmas account in fine style guiding Bob Justice to victory in the Kerry Spring Maiden Hurdle. Winning trainer Ted Walsh acknowledged the race was a 'fairly average maiden hurdle' but was delighted with the manner of victory.

Setting a fierce pace from the off, Bob Justice maintained a healthy five length advantage over Sigma Dotcomm, with a further 10 lengths back to the chasing field. Sigma Dotcomm crashed through the second last with Barry Geraghty doing a fine job to keep the partnership intact. Bob Justice was left clear and despite the late progress of Big-And-Bold, Cotter's mount was free to canter to a 20L victory.

'He is a nice horse and will probably go for a winners of one next time. He jumps and stays? I didn't think he would win like that but I did expect him to win the race', explained trainer Ted Walsh.

The opening Denny Waifos Maiden hurdle finished in a thrilling duel with 7/1 chance Silver Steel getting up on the line to deny Regal Venture by a neck.

The Christy Roche-trained winner rounded the turn half a length off Regal Venture but after persistent driving from amateur Alan Crowe, the useful bumper performer did enough to collar Tom Rudd's mount and collect for owner JP McManus.

Kieran Kelly and trainer Dessie Hughes combined to land the Paddy Power Online Handicap Chase with Delgany Royal.

Owner JP McManus capped off a splendid opening day, securing a double after World Wide Web got up on the line to deny Pietro Vannucci victory in a thrilling conclusion to the concluding Ballyfree Flat Race.