Buckers Bridge (near side) and Oscars Well jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
< Buckers Bridge has been tested at the highest level in his fencing career and showed plenty of ability in winning the Race That Stops A County 'Thyestes Jan 23rd 2014' Chase at Gowran Park.
A winner in Grade Two company, the Henry De Bromhead-trained seven-year-old was sent off an 11-4 chance in a four-horse race led for much of the way by the odds-on favourite Oscars Well
Jessie Harrington's charge was still in front two out, but Andrew Lynch was creeping closer on Buckers Bridge and taking it up at the final fence, he stretched clear to win by three lengths.
There was plenty of drama in the closing stages of the Santa Train At Gowran Park Novice Hurdle before the race went to the Noel Meade-trained Ange Balafre who was completing a hat-trick.
There were plenty in with a chance when odds-on favourite Arctic Fire took a tumble on the flat after jumping the second-last flight, and Paul Carberry produced the 6-1 winner late before holding Tiger Trek by half a length.
Bryan Cooper sent the Dessie Hughes-trained Hunting Party into the lead in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase and the 7-2 chance, twice a winner over hurdles, stayed on strongly to score.
There was a strong element of luck about it, though, as favourite Dogora seemed to be going well alongside when he came down at the second-last, allowing Hunting Party to beat Formidableopponent by a length and a half.
Robbie Power made all on Sin Miedo in the Santa Train Bookings At www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle and Jessie Harrington's 13-2 shot was clear from three out before coasting to a 10-length success.
Robbie Colgan got Balrath Hope (6-1) home by a head in the Gowran Park Racing Club Annual Dinner Handicap Hurdle and doubled up with an all-the-way 15-length victory on Araglen Lad (5-1) in the Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Chase after Moiqen and Wrong Turn fell when challenging.
