Waterford-born Ian Power brought his career tally into double figures in style at Navan on Saturday when he partnered Noel Meade's Bondi Storm to victory in the featured Proudstown Handicap Hurdle.
The twenty-year-old oozed confidence throughout the contest before coaxing the 5/1 shot past the free-running Cadou Royal over the penultimate flight to run out the four-and-a-half length victor. 'I've been running this mare over three miles but all her winning form is over two-and-a-half so I suppose we'll keep her to that trip in future,' said a smiling Noel Meade.
The local handler was also fulsome with praise for the winning rider, ' Ian rides well and is a good lad. He gave her a super ride and that's his 10th success.'
Meade and his supporters had more reason to be happy later in the day when Strong Run, formerly trained by John Fowler, landed a tidy gamble in the Mannix Dowdall Handicap Chase. Backed from 6/1 to half those odds, the son of Strong Gale kept on well after the last in the hands of Barry Geraghty to hold Penny Native and Caitriona's Choice.
Ground Ball and Petersham went off 6/4 joint favourites for the Conway Group Novice Hurdle and it was the former, who benefited from a bold front running tactical ride from trainer/rider Charlie Swan, that won the day but not without some drama for his supporters.
Petersham, who travelled well throughout, began to take closer order after the third last flight and was about to draw alongside the eventual winner when J.P.McManus' charge drifted violently to his right hampering Michael O'Brien's gelding in the process.
Seconds later a bad mistake at the penultimate flight unshipped rider Gary Walshe from the unsettled Petersham leaving Ground Ball to come home twelve lengths clear of Bassett Tiger.
'He was hanging out the whole way through the race and was lazy in front,' summed up the former champion rider afterwards who later in the afternoon completed a double with another bold front-running performance aboard Michael Cunningham's Perkys Pride in the 2m6f novice hurdle.
Cunningham, who trains the six-year-old for the Frank's Friends Syndicate, wasn't happy with his jumping. 'He jumped very poorly, I thought, and just didn't like that gluey ground. I'd say he's better over a shorter trip and he won't run again until mid February with Fairyhouse and Punchestown the likely targets.'
The famous J.P. McManus colours found the winners enclosure for the second time during the session after the EBF Beginners Chase when Youlneverwalkalone deservedly opened his account over the larger obstacles, albeit at prohibitive odds of 1/3.
Winning trainer Christy Roche said, 'We decided to ride him closer to the pace and the different tactics worked today. That was a good confidence booster and he'll run again in the Dr P.J. Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown next.'
Arthur Moore and Conor O'Dwyer combined to win the thirty-runner maiden hurdle with well supported Eskimo Jack while Ronans Cottage, also supported in the market, got up close home to win the finale for permit holder Jimmy O'Keeffe and Davy Russell.
