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Review leopardstown 27th Dec

Sat 27th Dec 2008, 16:50

< Big Zeb had to call upon all his resolution to land the spoils in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase.

The 5-1 chance looked like he would win in a canter when Matt O'Connor allowed himself several looks behind on the turn, with his mount seemingly travelling sweetly.

But on his seasonal return, he perhaps got a little bit tired and with maximum assistance from the saddle, he held the late challenge of Watson Lake by half a length.< Hurricane Fly proved a class apart from his rivals in the paddypower.com Future Champion Novice Hurdle.

Landing his second successive prize at the top level, Willie Mullins' even-money favourite cruised up to contest the lead when still pulling double at the last and produced a brilliant change of gear to account for Go Native by 10 lengths.

There was a real family affair in the Paddy Power Chase as Wheresben swooped late to lift the valuable prize.

Paul Nicholls' raider Osako D'Airy looked certain to score when scooting clear off the home turn, but his stamina gave way at the last.< Vic Venturi arrived on the scene but 33-1 outsider Wheresben, trained by Seamus Fahey and ridden by his amateur jockey son James, finished better to get up by three and a half lengths.< Rocco's Hall (13-2) displayed tremendous battling qualities to fend off his rivals in the paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Hurdle.

Edward O'Grady's charge had gone up 11lb for last month's Fairyhouse win and that looked likely to stop him when Gusda Line Ball and Square Sphere challenged at the last, but he dug deep for Andrew McNamara and held Gusda by a short-head.

Jessica Harrington unleashed a nice newcomer in the paddypowerbingo.com 3-Y-O Hurdle when 16-1 chance Out Voted saw off El Presidente by two and a half lengths, while Realt Dubh (9-10 favourite) confirmed the promise of his second to Mikael D'Haguenet when catching Sorceror close home in the paddypowertrader.com Maiden Hurdle.

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