Review LEOPARDSTOWN 5TH MAR

While much of the Cheltenham focus may have been on proceedings after racing there was also plenty of festival news on the seven-race card at Leopardstown.

Michael O'Brien ruled In Compliance out of the Arkle despite the gelding running out an impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

Barry Geraghty's mount had mastered Brutto Facie before the last and was set for a comfortable victory when that rival fell and brought down Lordofourown.

The 4/6f was left to saunter home 20 lengths clear of Kerryhead Windfarm.

'He doesn't go to Cheltenham but will be aimed at the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. I think he's a horse with a future and could be a Gold Cup horse next year,' said O'Brien.

O'Brien and Geraghty both recorded trebles on the card and had also teamed up to score with Parliament Square in the Gardiner & Theobald Hurdle.

The easy to back favourite (1/1 to 11/8f) went on at the second last and only had to be ridden out hands and heels after the last to beat Creme D'arblay by two lengths.

De Valira looked a potential star of the future for O'Brien when running out an impressive five-length winner of the bumper under Robbie Dunne.

Geraghty had also landed the opening Coyle Hamilton Willis EBF Maiden Hurdle on Mister Top Notch for trainer Davy Fitzgerald

The well-backed gelding (11/10 to 8/11f) went to the front at the fourth and pulled clear two out, easily accounting for Candy Girl by five lengths.

The winner holds an entry in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and Fitzgerald said: 'I'm undecided about Cheltenham but Barry thinks he should take his chance. He is crying out for good ground and needs three miles.'

New Field just emerged on top after a terrific finish to the Mick Holly Memorial Handicap Chase.

Tony McCoy had just driven the 5/2f ahead of Ransboro on the run-in when Star Clipper threw down a late challenge and Tom Mullins' gelding just held on by head.

The winner tended to jump slowly at times, however, and Mullins feels that he doesn't jump well enough to merit a trip to Prestbury Park.

County Hurdle entry Khetaam defied an 849-day absence to run out a cosy winner of the Madigans Intervarsity Handicap Hurdle.

Alan Crowe delivered him with a well-timed run, up the rail, to lead at the last and beat long-time leader Feel Good Factor by two-and-a-half-lengths.

Schindlers Hunt (5/4 to 9/10f) looked set for a battle in the Mongey Communications EBF Maiden Hurdle but a mistake by German import Kalderon, at the last, left him to come home a comfortable three-length winner.