Santa Delivers For O'Shea

Santa's Son ran out a bloodless victor of the feature Profile Systems Novice Chase at Punchestown to leave his connections debating a step up in class.

Trained by John O'Shea and ridden by John Cullen, the promising seven-year-old made all the running and seemed to have Noel Meade's Whataboutya on the stretch when that one came to grief at the fourth-last fence.

Santa's Son always held too many guns for Secretofshambhala from that point and eased to a most impressive 19-length success, much to the delight of 11-10 favourite-backers.

O'Shea said: 'He didn't have much to do but all he could do was win.

'He has a speculative entry for the Drinmore Novices' Chase but he's more likely to wait until Christmas for a race at Fairyhouse.

'But he's never won left-handed, so that will be on our mind about Fairyhouse. He'll prefer softer ground.'

Katie Walsh continued her dream weekend by winning the Event Power Risk Of Thunder Chase over the Banks course.

Fresh from riding her first winner at Cheltenham on Friday aboard Hordago, she earned further plaudits after booting home Never Compromise.

Trained by her father, Ted, the 12-year-old was winning the race for the second successive year with Katie in the plate.

Enda Bolger was looking for a notable double of his own after Spot Thedifference's remarkable triumph at Cheltenham but had to settle for second with Heads Onthe Ground.

Captain Cee Bee (8-11 favourite) continued his rise up the ladder with an effortless victory in the Profile Systems Holding Hurdle.

Edward Harty's six-year-old was following up a good win at the track in October, and on this evidence a lot more will be heard about him.

He readily took over when asked to put his seal on the race and the JP McManus-owned gelding went on to humble Leading Run by 10 lengths.

Harty said: 'That was nice and he's improving.

'I'll speak to the boss and Frank Berry (racing manager). He's entered in the Royal Bond and I would imagine that would be the plan next.

'We have let him take it step by step and he's taken the second step well.

'We'll go on now to see how good he is.'

The McManus colours were in front again when 4-1 favourite Clew Bay Cove repeated the dose in the Pierce Healy Developments Handicap Chase later on the card.

Colm Murphy's seven-year-old travelled smoothly throughout and found plenty for pressure to fend off Don't Be Bitin by a length and a quarter.

Murphy said: He's not over-big so I hope the handicapper is not too hard on him for that.

'I don't know what's next for him, but we'll probably look at another nice little handicap.'

(C) PA Sport