Timmy Murphy and Barry Geraghty both found themselves in the wars at Fairyhouse yesterday, the pair stood down for seven and two days respectively following a melee in the opening maiden hurdle.
A total of eight horses came down at the third flight in the 2m contest, with Geraghty and claimer John O'Loughlin both ordered to take 48 hours off due to bruising. Murphy meanwhile faces at least a week on the sidelines after being concussed, and was taken to Blanchardstown hospital for x-rays on his back as well as having stitches inserted into a lip wound.
The race eventually went the way of the well-backed Supreme Being, who assumed control approaching the final flight and saw off Ticklepenny by two lengths.
Things soon got worse for Geraghty as Prince Of Tara, who he was scheduled to partner in the 3m novice hurdle, duly hacked up under substitute Ian Power. The 14/1 shot was always travelling well and his rider could afford to ease him close home and still have 20L in hand of nearest rival Heroic.
'I think this could be a Gold Cup horse in a couple of years,' said delighted trainer Stephen Mahon of the five year-old, owned by local owner Jimmy Swan, who reportedly landed quite a touch on his charge. 'He's already been schooled over fences, but I have to keep telling myself to be careful as he's still very young. Cheltenham is obviously a possibility this year, but we'll wait a while before deciding about that,' added Mahon.
Arctic Copper gave his enthusiastic owners plenty to shout about when running out a comfortable winner of the featured 2m chase under recently-returned Paul Carberry.
After keeping Alcapone company up front for much of the journey, the eight year-old went on in the straight for a facile eight-length verdict over favourite Fadoudal Du Cochet.
Noel Meade revealed afterwards that the Mildmay of Flete and Cathcart Chases at Cheltenham are now under consideration. 'I think he got a fright when he fell at Navan in November, and then he ran too free without the blinkers last time,' said Meade. 'Today's shorter trip was probably a help too,' he added.
