Review PUNCHESTOWN 6TH DEC

A schooling session on the Curragh with stable-companion Knife Edge proved a successful preliminary for Stashedaway who switched to fences with great effect in the featured Mares Novice Chase.

The Michael O'Brien-trained six-year-old has been campaigned over hurdles since an early casualty on her previous chase start at Thurles last spring, and swept clear after three out under Danny Howard in this Listed race to beat Mistletoeandwine by 15 lengths.

'Knife Edge was unable to shake her off when schooling at the Curragh during the week, so we knew she was in good form. She's high enough handicapped over hurdles, so hopefully she can win another few over fences,' said O'Brien's assistant Denis Cullen.

The Conyngham Cup is one of the longest standing handicap chases for amateur riders in the calendar, and Paul Cashman recorded his first victory in the race aboard Ashstorm. The John Kiely-trained gelding was up with the pace throughout, and responded well under pressure in the straight to beat Hume Castle by three-quarters of a length. 'There was mucus in his lungs when he disappointed at Cork but he had a big chance on his second to Newratking here last month,' said Kiely.

Mark Walsh is one of the chief talents among the latest crop of young jump jockeys, and he was again on the mark aboard Larkhill Jo in the handicap hurdle. Brian Nolan's charge was prominent throughout and, after going clear on the home turn, was eased on the run-in to comfortably beat Tumbling Dice by six lengths.

The Kop End was all the rage in the opening two miles maiden hurdle but, after travelling strongly to challenge after two out, could find no extra in the straight behind the front-running War Of Attrition. 'He will go now for a winners of one, and I would like to step him up to two and a half miles,' said trainer Mouse Morris afterwards.

There was an exciting climax to the three miles handicap hurdle when Lotomore Lad battled back gamely to deny Coccinelle by a short-head. Shay Barry's mount struck the front well over half a mile out and, having appeared likely to be swamped by a group of horses at the last, Donie Hassett's charge dug deep in the final strides. 'Anything he does over hurdles is a bonus as he's bred to be a chaser, and he may go over fences soon,' said Hassett.

Racegoers were also treated to a tight finish in the two miles handicap chase, with City Hall finishing best under Gary Hutchinson on the far side to overhaul the front-running Kilbyrne King and Atlantic Rhapsody.

Alan Magee