Paul Carberry stole the show in front of a huge crowd at Naas yesterday when partnering a 109/1 treble to edge ominously closer to pace-setter Barry Geraghty at the top of the jockeys championship. The Meath rider teamed up twice with trainer Noel Meade aboard Eternal Night and Roses Of Picardy, while he also scored aboard Thyestes Chase contender Glin Castle.
Carberry was hard at work aboard Glin Castle before the straight in the two mile and three furlong Millennium Handicap Chase but Andrew McNamara's proven stayer kept on well to deny More Than A Stroll by half a length. 'He really needs three miles, and the Thyestes Chase at Gowran has been the plan all along. He will be entered for the Leopardstown Chase on Saturday, and I will make a decision on that race later in the week,' said a delighted McNamara.
Eternal Night, rated 89 on the Flat, made a winning debut over timber in the opening Hamilton Young Lawlor Ellison Maiden Hurdle. The son of Night Shift rallied well to challenge between horses on the run-in to gain a short-head verdict over favourite Creux Noir, with French Style weakening in the closing stages a further length back in third.
Roses Of Picardy made it two wins from as many starts over fences when outstaying Gregorio in the straight to land the Craddoxtown EBF Novice Chase, and put Carberry onto the 36 winner mark for the season (11 behind Geraghty). 'He wants further, and Paul thinks that he is probably better going right-handed,' said Meade.
The Navan handler completed a treble of his own in the bumper when newcomer Harbour Pilot proved too strong inside the final furlong for heavily-backed favourite Silver Steel.
Champagne Native earned a 20/1 quote for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham after holding No Discount by a head in the featured Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle. Winning rider Jason Titley lost an iron when the six-year-old stumbled slightly after the final flight.
'He handles soft ground well but it was a bit tacky today. He will run next in either a two and a half mile novice at Doncaster on January 29 or go to Leopardstown on February 6. We can decide about Cheltenham plans after that but he really is an ideal three mile chaser in the making,' said winning trainer Tom Taaffe.
David O'Leary was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken leg after his mount Fleet Gold was brought down at the first in the Gowla Power-Pak Maiden Hurdle.
