Review THURLES 3RD JAN

Gaspar made all to spring a shock in the feature event at Thurles on Thursday.

Mick Darcy gave the 16/1 shot a well-judged ride from the front as he claimed the Grade 3 Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase.

1/1f Gemini Lucy cried enough before the second last and her market rival Vintage Treasure could make no impression before the final fence, with Preists Leap coming through for second close home.

Gemini Lucy was well held in third when falling at the last. She emerged unscathed and was remounted to finish a distant last of five.

'He's a good consistent jumper and today is a bonus as we wouldn't have expected to beat those off levels,' said winning trainer James McAuley.

'I just hope Noel (O'Brien - handicapper) doesn't go to town on him as he's the one horse in the yard that always seems to run to his mark. That's his big win today.'

Willie Mullins had a good day, saddling a treble, courtesy of Sesenta, Cooldine and Alphazar.

Dani California (1/2 to 1/4f) was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the juvenile hurdle but proved no match for stable-mate Sesenta (10/1).

Davy Condon sent his mount up to challenge the hotpot turning in and she sprinted clear before the last for an easy seven-length victory.

'She was the best jumper of all my three-year-olds and we couldn't understand when she fell the first day,' said Mullins.

'She lost her confidence but got it back today and Davy said from halfway she flew. Being a little mare it was a big help getting all the allowances today. We'll up her in grade now.'

Cooldine (8/13f) was another Mullins hotpot in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle but justified his price with an impressive six-length win over Storm Breaker.

Ruby Walsh, out of luck on Dani California, had no worries this time as his mount led four out and galloped on strongly down the straight to seal matters.

Mullins' nephew Emmet shone on Alphazar (5/1) in the opening handicap chase. The gelding was to the fore throughout and survived a bad mistake three out to run out a cosy 10-length victor.

'That was great for Emmet. That's my first winner for the Cistercian College Roscrea syndicate. Emmet goes to school there and I'm a former pupil myself,'

said the trainer.

The 2m6f novice hurdle had plenty of incident with only half of the eight finishing. Siegemaster was left well clear at the third last by the fall of Ellas Cavallo and ran out a facile winner.

'We'll stick to long distance novice hurdles with him - he's a three-mile horse. He might be improving. That was a good performance no matter what,' said trainer Dessie Hughes.

Rossbeigh ran out a cosy winner of the opportunity handicap hurdle while Oscar Time emerged on top after a good three-way battle in the bumper.