Central House claimed another big scalp at Cork yesterday when proving too strong for Rathgar Beau in the O'Connell Warehousing Hilly Way Chase.
Dessie Hughes' gelding, a shock winner from Moscow Flyer at Navan last time, made all in the Grade 2 event to record a convincing three-length verdict over the only other horse to get the better of the two mile champion.
Amateur Roger Loughran was again in the plate and the pair were only briefly headed four out when Mariah Rollins produced a superb jump. Rathgar Beau tried to close from the second last but never looked likely to get on terms.
'He's a better horse this year and jumped marvellous as usual. He'll go for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and we won't look beyond that at this stage,' said Hughes.
Hughes' also had news of Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace, who is now likely to make his reappearance in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on January 7th.
'We'll see what he does in his next few pieces of work but he is unlikely to go to Leopardstown. He may wait for Sandown on January 7th.'
Riding honours on the day went to Davy Russell, who continued his recent fine form by partnering a treble.
Alpha Royale needed all Russell's urgings to gain a narrow verdict in the Grade 3 O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle.
Charles Byrnes' gelding jumped to the lead two out but was followed through by Mister Top Notch. That rival led after the last but Alpha Royale battled well to put his head in front again on the line.
Russell produced American Jennie with a well timed run to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase.
The Michael Cullen-trained mare led at the last and kept on strongly to take the Listed event by five lengths from Newtown Dancer.
The hat-trick was secured when David Marnane's Premier Rouge stayed on strongly to land the spoils in the JBC Maiden Hurdle.
The gamble of the day was undoubtedly on Pearly Jack (9/2 to 5/2f) in the Newmarket Handicap Hurdle and he duly obliged when running out a comfortable five length winner.
Pat Crowley shone on Bally Scanlon in the opening OCW (Properties) Ltd Novice Handicap Hurdle when producing him with a strong run to score while Ice And Soda was kept going in the closing stages by James O'Farrell to claim the bumper.
