Gary Hutchinson recorded his biggest win todate aboard Coq Hardi Diamond in the e170,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase after racing went ahead in very testing conditions following an early morning inspection.
The 8yo gelding, runner-up to Call Me Dara in this race in 2000, had just taken the lead when surviving a mistake at the final fence before staying on dourly to beat Satcoslam by 7L.
'He was off the course for a year with leg trouble but loves that ground, stays really well and his light weight was a big help,' said trainer Noel Meade.
Barry Geraghty, on the mark aboard Le Coudray and Party Airs here on Thursday, again partnered a big race double on Moscow Flyer and Liss A Paoraigh.
Moscow Flyer (4/9f) gave odds-on punters no worries in the Paddy Power Dail-A-Bet Chase, drawing clear from Knife Edge before the last to score by five lengths.
'Barry said he had plenty in the tank the way he jumped the last, and I'm glad the meeting went ahead as he needed to run somewhere,' said Jessica Harrington.
She added, 'He jumped super, and the plan is run at Punchestown (February 2) before the Queen Mother at Cheltenham,' for which the 8yo is a top priced 7/2 with Paddy Power.
Liss A Paoraigh took full advantage of the absence of Like-A-Butterfly when making all for an easy victory in the Evening Herald December Festival Hurdle.
Geraghty's mount was unchallenged, staying on well in the straight to beat Stage Affair by 25 lengths, although starter Joe Banahan was cautioned by the stewards after the winner poached a clear lead from flagfall.
Trainer John Kiely favours missing Cheltenham as the mare doesn't travel well, saying, 'She may go now for the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle, and will probably be retired to the paddocks after this season.'
Like-A-Butterfly was part of a wholesale withdrawal of all eight of Christy Roche's runners due to worries about a virus in his Curragh yard.
J P McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry, reported that Like-A Butterfly 'scoped badly' this morning, while the promising Kadiskar was also taken out of the two miles novice hurdle because of a viral infection.
Just two went to post for the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle, and Solerina stretched clear of sole rival Central House from two out for a bloodless win.
Mutineer earned a 50/1 quote from Cashmans for the Triumph Hurdle after staying on best in the straight under Kieran Kelly to beat Newlands Gold by 10L in the 3yo hurdle.
Jack High (Garrett Cotter) drew clear from the home turn in the 3m handicap hurdle to beat top-weight Give Over by 13L.
Kahuna (6/1-4/1) justified good support on his debut in the bumper, leading early in the straight to beat Shuil Leader by 2 1/2L.
Approximately 25ml of rain fell overnight and early morning leaving surface water on parts of the track, and two fences were omitted on the chase course.
Alan Magee
