Limestone Lad had little more than a schooling session around a rain-soaked Punchestown this afternoon to extend his unbeaten record over fences and retain 5-1 favouritism with bookmakers Cashmans for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham next March.
After taking a look at the early fences, the 1-7 favourite proceeded to give an exhibition round of jumping in the hands of locally-born Barry Cash to delight owner, trainer and breeder Jim Bowe by collecting the #13,000 winner`s prize for the Irish Field Novice Chase by 11 lengths from Idiots Star.
'He`s a natural, learning all the time and his jumping is getting better,' said Cash, who took over the reins from Shane McGovern when Limestone Lad switched to the larger obstacles last month.
'I think the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse will be his next run. We were a bit worried because the conditions were so bad, but Barry said he was brilliant after taking a look at the first four fences,' said Bowe`s sonMichael.
Kieran Kelly took the riding honours at the meeting when doubling up aboard Native of Kerry in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle and Delgany Royal in the Astra Zeneca Handicap Chase.
Kelly recently lost his claim with a double at Thurles, and lost no time in boosting his career tally.
Kelly has prospered under the guidance of his boss, former top jumps jockey Dessie Hughes, and he made no mistake for his employer as 2-1 favourite Delgany Royal came home 15 lengths clear of his only serious rival Tacolino.
Champion jockey Barry Geraghty enjoyed a bloodless victory on Carmelite in the colours of English-born Swiss banker Crispin Wall after the other 6-4 joint favourite Trevino had crashed out at the final flight when looking beaten as the pair dominated the Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle.
Trainer Jessica Harrington who has now won four races with Carmelite is looking forward to Slaney Native challenging for Saturday`s Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham. -PA
