Hidden Cyclone jumps a fence ahead of Call The Police© Photo Healy Racing
Hidden Cyclone recorded his third success over fences as he took the feature race at Gowran this afternoon the Carlow I.T. Students Day @ Gowran Park December 13th Chase.
The classy 7yo son of Stowaway was returning to the scene of his bumper success as he put in an impressive display to score for his trainer John Hanlon with Andrew McNamara in the saddle.
The 145 rated gelding made most of the running and disputed the lead in the early stages until he hit the front before the third.
He was joined briefly at the seventh but he kept on well in the straight and was in control from before last, going on to record an easy four and quarter length success.
The Willie Mullins trained, Paul Townend ridden Call The Police who is rated three pound higher than the winner and carried four pounds less than him, was ridden approaching the second last and couldn’t match Hidden Cyclone from there.
He had to settle for second at 6/4 while Great Oak ran well to finish third a further three and three parts of a length back under Mark Enright for John Nicholson.
The Tom Taaffe trained Ninetieth Minute fell at the third last when still in with a shout.
John Hanlon said afterwards: "He is a lot better out in front. Everyone was knocking him for his jumping but they can’t after today. I am delighted with his jumping.
"I will speak to his owners now but the Lexus at Leopardstown looks the likely race.
"They probably didn’t go fast enough for him the last day and he likes a stronger pace. A lot of the Stowaway’s like to be out in front."
Paddy Powers go 25/1 from 33/1 about the winner for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.
Stan James also go 25/1 about the winner for the Gold Cup while they have introduced him at 12/1 in the betting for the Ryanair Chase.
(Addtional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
