Last year's Martell Grand National winner Bobbyjo completed his preparation for a repeat bid next month when finishing a promising fifth over hurdles at Leopardstown yesterday.
The Tommy Carberry-trained gelding - campaigned solely over hurdles in his three outings this year - set the early pace, and kept on nicely behind Chase The Lightnin. Papillon, also entered for the Aintree showpiece, caught the eye when staying on really well inside the final half mile to finish just five lengths away in third.
'That's his last run before the National but I will bring him to a few tracks to do some work,' said Carberry, who added: 'That should put him spot on, and hopefully we will get good ground at Aintree.'
The inform Arthur Moore stable was again to the fore with an 11/2 double to put the Clane handler onto the 44 winner mark for the season. The heavily backed Masalarian scored with the minimum of fuss under Conor O'Dwyer in division one of the Cabinteely Maiden Hurdle, leading over the last to beat Monitor by four and a half lengths.
Moore successfully teamed up with his nephew Philip Carberry for the first time when Tyndarius led after the last to beat Finchpalm by a length and a half in the Silchester Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old gelding may bid to follow up at the three day Listowel meeting next month.
Ruby Walsh was also in double form. The reigning champion overcame trouble in running aboard Bushman's River, trained by his father Ted, to gain a narrow victory from hot-pot Champagne Native in the Careysfort Hurdle. Walsh followed up when Killultagh Storm recorded a facile win in the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle.
