Central House ran out a comfortable winner of the John Keogh Car Sales Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse today.
His task was made easier, in the Grade 2 contest, when main rival Native Scout crashed out at the second last fence when throwing down a challenge to the 13/8f.
Paul Carberry let the eventual winner bowl along in front from the fifth fence. Native Scout was sent up to challenge approaching the third last and still held every chance when falling at the penultimate fence. Donie Hassett's gelding tragically broke a shoulder and had to be put down.
Colnel Rayburn, who was being ridden in third, was hampered by the faller and kept on to finish 12-lengths second.
'He's a much better horse when he gets better ground,' said winning trainer Dessie Hughes. 'He will probably go for the Newlands Chase at Naas next month.'
The Bowe family have become renowned for their brave front-running performers and Sweet Kiln enhanced her reputation with a tremendous battling victory in the Mulhuddart Novice Hurdle.
Gary Hutchinson set a searching pace on the mare and the race soon turned into a duel between herself and Carraig Blue. Our Ben (1/1f) was third throughout and never got into contention.
Carraig Blue took up the running at the fourth last but couldn't shake off his rival. Sweet Kiln threw down a challenge turning into the straight and the pair battled it out from the second last with the mare digging deep in the final 100 yards to put her head in front and score by a length.
'We know she stays now and it's nice to see her get her head in front again. She loves that ground as is typical with our horses. She'll go for the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown (Feb 6th),' said Michael Bowe.
You Sir completed a double for the Bowes when taking the concluding Rockview (QR) INH Flat Race in good style. The Taipan gelding stayed on well to beat Gravely Pint by five lengths.
Ruby Walsh and Pat Fahy teamed up to record a double courtesy of Washington Lad (4/5f) and Bluestone Lad (3/1f).
Washington Lad done it from the front in the Kehoe Ceilings & Partitions Maiden Hurdle, when beating Kill Devil Hill by two lengths, while Bluestone Lad got the better of Danse Macabre by half a length in the Madden Raparees GFC Handicap Hurdle.
Front-running tactics also paid off for Hookedonafeeling in the Tattersalls Ireland EBF Mares Beginners Chase while Christmas Crackle claimed the Dunshaughlin Handicap Chase for Jim Dreaper and John Cullen.
