Lyreen Wonder captured the Pierse Contracting Troytown Handicap Chase for the second successive, benefiting from an aggressive tactical ride by Barry Cash.
Cash sent the Arthur Moore-trained gelding into a clear lead approaching the straight, and had enough in reserve to hold on by three and a half lengths from 15/8 favourite Over The Furze. Commanche Court kept on well under topweight just a head further back in third, while Arctic Copper was fighting it out for the minor placings when a faller at the last.
`He runs well fresh, and Barry gave him a lovely ride. He seems to be getting his jumping together, and may go next for the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham (Dec 8),` said Moore, who also nominated the Welsh National as a possible target.
The remainder of the card provided a number of important clues for the future, with impressive displays among the novice brigade.
Over The Bar made an impressive transition to jumping in the Tote Exacta `Monksfield` Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding made smooth headway to lead at the penultimate flight, and drew clear under Charlie Swan to beat Spirit Leader by six lengths.
`He has been working nicely with Ned Kelly, and I was delighted with the way he jumped. He may go next for the two miles Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in a fortnight, although I think he wants a longer trip,` said trainer Edward O`Grady.
O`Grady also reflected on the defeat of Ned Kelly in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown saying, `He`s as fresh as paint this morning. He had an easy race at Down Royal, and I feel he blew up yesterday.`
Over The Bar is owned by J P McManus, and his famous green and orange colours were successfully carried by another exciting novice when Like-A-Butterfly justified odds-on support with the minimum of fuss in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. The seven-year-old is 8/1 favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle with Cashmans after sauntering to an eight lengths victory over Rule Supreme.
`At the moment I`m guessing,` said trainer Christy Roche in relation to a recent bug affecting his Curragh yard. `Le Coudray was taken out of the novice chase as he didn`t eat up this morning, and that is very out of character for him. I didn`t think this mare was ready for a hard race, and luckily she didn`t have one,` he added.
Macs Gildoran also landed the odds in the EBF Beginners Chase, leading four out for a facile 14 lengths win over Minella Hotel. Trainer Willie Mullins commented afterwards, `I`m delighted with that. He`s entered for the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse (Dec 2), but may go for a winners race to gain more experience.`
Alan Magee
