Klairon Davis turned the clock back on a foggy afternoon at the Co. Meath venue when defying his market position as the outsider of the three runners in the featured Normans Grove Chase.
The former Champion Chase winner was recording his 20th career victory but his first since taking the corresponding race two years ago. Last season`s Martell Grand National hero Papillon looked set to score when moving alongside the Arthur Moore-trained 12-year-old in the straight but the veteran found a bit extra for Conor O`Dwyer to score by a length. Mr Baxter Basics ruined his chance with a bad mistake when tracking the other pair three out.
`He has been a super horse to train, and still loves being in the yard. He is happy in himself, and still has a fair bit of life in him. We will keep him to condition events at local tracks,` said a delighted Moore.
Ted Walsh was not too downheartened by the defeat of Papillon, and said: `He will run somewhere in about three weeks time. If BettyMoran (his American owner) comes over, he may go for the Aon Chase at Newbury next month.` He remains a 20/1 chance with Cashmans to repeat his Aintree triumph in April.
Johnny Ringo, a relatively cheap purchase at Doncaster last year, showed the benefit of an outing at Thurles last month when taking the opening Kehoe Partitions & Ceilings Maiden Hurdle in good style. The six-year-old gelding travelled smoothly under Jason Titley, leading on the run-in for a two length success over Best Grey. The odds-on Ilaron appeared beaten when falling at the last.
Nomadic was also odds-on for a winning debut over fences in the Kilsallaghan EBF Beginnerrs Chase but was making no impression on clear leader Wyn Wan Soon when crumbling on landing after the last.
The visibility for this race was very poor, as it was for the previous Irish National Hunt Novice Hurdle in which Trevino recorded a decisive win. David Cullinane (18) was partnering his sixth success aboard the Frances Crowley-trained mare, who may be aimed at the Final of this series here on February 24. Barry Geraghty took a fall from favourite Good Vintage three out, and had to give up his remaining rides.
The 20/1 victory of Wyn Wan Soon was matched by Shade Me Shauny - ridden by Paul Moloney for Michael Hourigan - in the Ratoath Handicap Hurdle, resulting in a jackpot pool carryover of #10,412 to the next meeting here on February 10.
Direct Bearing justified strong support when just touchinng off Prince Of Tara in the bumper, and trainer Dermot Weld is considering a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival Bumper.
