The in-form Barry Geraghty recorded a big race double aboard Le Coudray and Party Airs on day one of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
Le Coudray, 8/13 fav in the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase, made all but needed to dig deep from the last to hold off the strong challenge of Bust Out by 1/2L.
'I was always happy that he was going to win from the last. He will be kept on the go while the ground is soft, and may go for the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot,' said trainer Christy Roche.
He added, 'He will only go for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase if there is some cut in the ground.'
Party Airs made it three wins from as many starts over timber when staying on best to land the Denny Juvenile Hurdle.
Geraghty's mount struck the front at the final flight, where Harchibald blundered, and kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Kenilworth by 3 1/2L.
'That was a tough, workmanlike performance. We will consider the Triumph Hurdle (25/1 with Cashmans), although an alternative plan is switching him back to the Flat for the Lincoln,' said Dermot Weld.
Weld later saddled a double when Govamix was patiently ridden by Kevin O'Ryan in the bumper, leading inside the final furlong to beat Loss Of Faith by 3L.
Paul Carberry was seen at his strongest when also completing a 15.5/1 double aboard Mullacash and Rare Ouzel.
Mullacash rallied in the closing stages to touch off Liscannor Lad by the minimum margin in the 4yo maiden hurdle.
'I thought he would win, although the ground was a bit too heavy for him. He will go next for a two and a half mile novice.' said trainer Noel Meade.
Rare Ouzel was galvanised on the run-in by Carberry in the handicap hurdle, heading the front-running G V A Ireland in the closing stages to score by 1L.
Golden Cross, a disappointing sixth in the Denny Juvenile Hurdle, was later reported to have swallowed a sod of turf.
Alan Magee
